Making Connections

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FALL 2015
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So19u9r0c- a2m0il1ie5s & Professionals
25 Years of Serving S
eniors,
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Making Connections
Mercy Ridge
Cover Story, 21
As Featured In
cover story
www.retirement-living.com 1-800-394-9990
Making Connections
By Christy Brudin
Residents enjoy many outdoor recreational opportunities, including walking paths, a putting green and a bocce court.
F
rom virtual links to old-fashioned friendships,
people always find a way to bond. While the
ties that bind can be very different, the results
are remarkably similar: lasting connections.
For the residents of one local retirement community, making these enduring connections has never
been easier.
At Mercy Ridge Retirement Community in Timonium,
Md., residents enjoy a congenial, intimate atmosphere
where neighbors quickly become friends. As a smaller
continuing care retirement community (CCRC), Mercy
Ridge can offer the genuine connections of a tight-knit
village, as well as all the lifestyle amenities and activity
options that today’s retirees want. The community is also
harnessing the power of technology to keep residents
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connected with staff, each other and loved ones. Mercy
Ridge provides specially equipped iPads to every resident
through a program known as CATIE (Communication
and Access To Information Everywhere).
While all the community’s residents stay connected, few
are more involved than Vince and Jean Gallagher. The
Gallaghers have always been socially active, both individually and as a couple, but their lives—and their social
calendars—have grown exponentially since moving five
years ago.
Vince grew up near Philadelphia and later attended
Loyola University. Jean’s brother, Tom, was one of Vince’s
classmates, and he met Jean through their large social
circle.
After graduating from college, Vince joined the military
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www.retirement-living.com 1-800-394-9990 and was stationed at Quantico, Va. He kept in touch with
Tom during that time and also got reacquainted with Jean.
What was an initial attraction turned into a lifelong connection; Vince and Jean recently celebrated their 63rd wedding
anniversary.
Shortly after their marriage, Vince began his career in
marketing. He worked for a floor covering manufacturer,
and the couple moved around as his career advanced. “We
moved in and out of Baltimore throughout my career, and
we kept in contact with some people here,” said Vince of the
couple’s long-term connection to Charm City.
The Gallaghers also lived in Pennsylvania and Georgia,
among other places. During that time, they raised one son,
and they are now the proud grandparents of two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
A native of Baltimore, Jean saw moving to Mercy Ridge as
a homecoming. She grew up in the city and attended Towson University. She earned a degree in education and taught
briefly before marrying Vince and relocating for his career.
Despite their many moves, Jean was eager to return to Baltimore during retirement.
“We were living in Georgia when we decided to start looking at retirement options up here,” Jean said. “We looked at
just two other places, but we immediately knew that Mercy
Ridge was the right place for us.” In addition to the community’s close proximity to downtown Baltimore and their
son’s home in nearby Mays Chapel, the couple was also
drawn to the friendly atmosphere of Mercy Ridge.
“The size of this community really appealed to us,” explained Vince. “We had visited friends in other retirement
villages with 3,000 or more residents, and they are huge. If
you are looking for a more intimate atmosphere, a smaller
community like Mercy Ridge is the perfect choice. This is
just a very congenial place to live.”
Since moving, the Gallaghers have established themselves
as engaged residents. Vince plays golf, serves on three
committees at the community, and regularly visits the
on-campus Pub to meet with friends. Jean frequents the
community swimming pool and plays bocce ball. They
both participate in the community’s singing group, which
frequently provides holiday entertainment for residents
in the assisted living community on campus. They’ve also
made many close friends.
“We have dinner with different people almost every night
that we eat in the restaurant,” Vince noted. “We have really
gotten to know a lot of people here.”
Jean added, “This move has been so good for socializing.
We have a lot of friends now.”
The Gallaghers also noted that as longtime friends pass
away or move, many older adults become increasingly isolated living independently. “We seriously considered moving to a condo in Mays Chapel, but I’m so glad we didn’t.
We wouldn’t have been able to meet any new people living
there,” said Jean.
Since moving, the Gallaghers have made lots of new
friends and often dine with different people every night.
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cover story
www.retirement-living.com 1-800-394-9990 In addition to easy access to friends, Mercy Ridge also offers for typing. This unique audio feature can also be more rea full range of amenities. Outdoor recreational opportunities warding for residents and families living at a distance from
include walking paths, a putting green and a bocce court. The each other, since it allows them to hear their loved one’s voice.
community offers multiple dining opStaff members also use CATIE to
tions, including a formal dining room,
communicate with residents more efcasual bistro and sunny café. Residents
ficiently. Staff can quickly provide resi“If you are looking for a
also have access to a heated, indoor
dents with prescription notices, packswimming pool; a fully equipped fit- more intimate atmosphere, a
age notices, programming updates and
ness center; facilities for arts and crafts, smaller community like Mercy
event information. Residents can also
billiards and cards; a woodworking
input housekeeping and maintenance
Ridge is the perfect choice. This
shop; a movie theater; a performing
requests using the program, as well as
arts center; and a chapel.
access menus. As residents’ needs or
is just a very congenial place to
While residents enjoy all the ameniuse of the technology evolve, CATIE
ties offered at Mercy Ridge, one of the live.”
can be customized to add additional
most innovative is the CATIE program,
—Vince Gallagher, resident features.
which makes using a tablet computer
Whether they are using their customsimple. Every resident receives an iPad
ized tablet computer or enjoying a deliequipped with CATIE, a custom program that enhances the cious meal with a new friend, the residents at Mercy Ridge
user friendliness of the popular technology.
are always making connections. For the Gallaghers and so
Using the CATIE system, residents can send e-mails quickly many of their neighbors, it’s those connections that keep
and easily by recording audio messages, eliminating the need their days busy and their lives full.
More Ways to
Get Fit and Stay Well
Right Outside Your Door.
At Mercy Ridge, we know the importance of fitness
and overall well-being. With an indoor heated pool,
hot tub, Kaiser weight machines, Cybex treadmills
and bikes, NuSteps and a team of fitness coordinators,
those who live here experience a variety of ways to
maintain vitality and independence.
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2525 Pot Spring Rd. | Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 561-0200 | (800) 657-6268 | www.mercyridge.com
A joint venture of Mercy Health Services and The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Located on the beautiful Stella Maris campus in Timonium, MD.
Mercy Ridge is committed to providing equal housing opportunities for all races, religions, ethnic groups
and disabilities. The “LEED” Certification Mark is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green
Building Council® and is used with permission.
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MAG/GTRL/FALL7-14
We’re introducing an expanded schedule of exercise
and wellness opportunities that offer more choices
than ever before. There are classes for all levels
of ability that include dance, circuit training, muscle
toning, flexibility, balance, core strengthening, golf
and more! Plus educational sessions featuring
important wellness topics such as nutrition, weight
lifting, humor, tai chi and meditation.
Come visit us at Mercy Ridge and get connected
with unparalleled retirement living that offers you
more. Call (410) 561-0200 today to schedule your
personal tour.