We love our pets at Brandon Oaks!

We spoke with some of our residents, and their furry companions, about life here!

Adria & Don Casey & Nash

How did you and Nash meet?  Through a Washington, D.C. Weimaraner rescue group. We knew we wanted an older dog, because a puppy would have been too much, so we started looking for another Weimaraner (we have always loved the breed). We came across the adoptable pets from the Washington, D.C. rescue group, and that is where we found Nash. He had been rescued from West Virginia after being found outside, living in a pen, after the floods in 2016. He went up to Don, sat down in front of him and raised his paw. So we like to think he chose us. We still cannot believe how good of a dog he is. He is calm, doesn’t bark or lick people and he is just perfect for us and our life here at Brandon Oaks.

Have you both been lifelong animal lovers?  Yes! We have bred and shown Weimaraners for years.

How important was it that Brandon Oaks accepts pets? Very important. We lost our last dog a few months before we moved to Brandon Oaks, but we knew it wouldn’t be long before we would have another dog in our home.

What is something interesting about Nash?  Nash isn’t a barker, but he makes this funny howling-like noise when we put on his harness to take him for a walk. We think it’s his way of telling us he is happy.

Where do you live on campus? The Village Homes.

 

Water Dixon & Charlie

How did you and Charlie meet?  I was at a stop light at the intersection of Brandon Avenue and Edgewood Street, right up the street from Brandon Oaks, and I saw a tiny orange kitten run across the street and he almost got hit by a car. He ran towards my car but didn’t come out of the other side. I got out and I could hear him meowing, so I asked the driver behind me to honk the horn if he came out when I started to move the car. Very slowly, I moved the car and cautiously made my way back to Brandon Oaks. When I made it back, I didn’t hear anything so I went back into my apartment. Later that day, I went out to eat with my family and we noticed a crowd gathered around my car. We went outside and my daughter-in-law got under the car and was able to get the kitten out. Animal control came and got him cleaned up, gave him shots, and neutered him. A few weeks later, I was able to foster him, but that turned into a permanent stay. I never thought I would have a kitten but Charlie is very special.

Have you been a lifelong animal lover? Yes, but I never had any pets.

How important was it that Brandon Oaks accepts pets? Truly, it wasn’t important when I first moved in, but I was grateful for it when Charlie came into my life.

Where do you live on campus? Dogwood Apartments. 

 

Pattie Hamilton & Peaches

How did you and Peaches meet? When I decided it was time to get
another dog, I started to look around at various breeders. I had Poodles before and just loved them so that’s what I focused on. I found a breeder south of
Atlanta (where I was living at the time) and went to see their puppies. When I went to visit, Peaches waddled over to me and jumped on my leg. I picked her up and she gave me tons of puppy kisses. It was love at first sight. That was 13 years ago and she’s been my daughter ever since.

Have you been a lifelong animal lover? Yes, yes and yes! I love all
animals and always have.

How important was it that Brandon Oaks accepts pets?  If they did not
accept pets, I would not have come here. I would never give up Peaches.

What is something interesting about Peaches?  Peaches is the star of the 5-book children’s series Peaches The Private Eye Poodle. She has been on book tours around the South where she signs her books with a little paw print. She has also visited elementary schools for book readings. She sees a camera and she starts posing – she’s a doggie diva.

Where do you live on campus? The Main Building.

 

Bille Murphree & Socks

How did you and Socks meet?  I adopted Socks from Angels of Assisi here in Roanoke.

Have you been a lifelong animal lover? Yes, especially cats! I have had both dogs and cats throughout my life, and I used to show a beautiful German Shepard.

How important was it that Brandon Oaks accepts pets?  Very, very important. I lost my husband a few months before I moved to Brandon Oaks. I adopted Socks shortly after his death and he helped me with that sudden loss so I can’t imagine not brining Socks with me.

What is something interesting about Socks?   Socks walks on a leash just like a dog, which people here thought was a little odd at first but now
everyone is used to seeing me take him out for walks. Even though he is an
indoor cat, I wanted him to be able to still go outside and chase a bug or roll in the grass without running off. He really enjoys it and he gets along well with the neighborhood dogs we see out and about.

Where do you live on campus? The Main Building.

Brandon Oaks is proud to announce Ben Burks, NHA, as the new Executive Director, effective September 25, 2017. Burks previously served as the Executive Director of The Glebe in Daleville, Virginia. As a high-performing executive in the senior living field, Burks brings 14 years of experience in the continuing care retirement community (CCRC) industry.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Ben join our team,” said Heather Neff, President and CEO of Virginia Lutheran Homes. Neff continued, “He brings with him a depth of knowledge in managing CCRCs, but, most importantly, the understanding that our residents are our highest priority.”

“I am pleased to be joining a community with such a stellar staff and solid reputation,” Burks said. “I look forward to becoming an integral part of the team and of the community,” Burks continued.

 

We hope you enjoy these photos from our Annual Golf Tournament at Roanoke Country Club! Thank you to all of the players and our sponsors!

 

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Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Administrator, Ben Higgins, LNHA, has been selected to participate in the 13^th Annual Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America program hosted by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL).

Participants for this prestigious program “have demonstrated leadership potential and an interest in representing the interests of LTC (long term care) providers at the state and national levels,” according to the AHCA/NCAL website.

After a competitive review process, Higgins was chosen, among 37 other long-term care professionals across the nation. Higgins is the only representative from the state of Virginia. The Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America program spans 12 months and will begin with a three-day training session with other healthcare leaders across the nation in September.

“To be selected is an honor, but more so, I am excited to learn from other successful leaders in the long term care industry and bring that knowledge back to the Roanoke community,” states Higgins. By honing their knowledge and leadership skills, Higgins, and other selected future leaders, will help advance quality and promote the profession’s mission of providing the highest quality, resident-centered care for frail, elderly and disabled Americans.

The results are in and Brandon Oaks has been voted the Best Retirement Community and Best Nursing Home by the readers of The Roanoker magazine — for the third year in a row! The Roanoker reported a record number of voters, over 86,000, for this year’s Best of Roanoke campaign. We are honored and humbled to have received this recognition from the community. To see the winners in the other categories, please click here.

Brandon Oaks recently announced it was adopting the new designation of “Life Plan Community,” in support of a national movement of similar communities to change from being known as a “Continuing Care Retirement Community,” or “CCRC.”

“This is exciting, not just for Brandon oaks, but for all communities like us,” said Brandon Oaks’ Executive Director, Joe Hoff. “For years, the name ‘Continuing Care Retirement Community’ has given people in our market—and markets everywhere—a misleading impression of what communities like Brandon Oaks are. They have looked at CCRCs and thought they were all about ‘care,’ whereas the people that actually move to communities like us know we’re all about getting the most out of life.”

The term Continuing Care Retirement Community was coined nearly 35 years ago to describe the growing number of communities that provide a continuum of living and care options for older adults, starting with apartments and homes in which residents could live independently, then providing assisted living and skilled nursing residences that residents could move into if and when their health needs ever changed.

“Today’s Life Plan Communities are nothing like those CCRCs of thirty or more years ago,” said Mr. Hoff. “While, as a not-for-profit, LifeCare community, we certainly are proud of our healthcare services, we offer so much more. We have large residential homes with full-size appliances and all the amenities found in new homes today. More importantly, we offer fitness and wellness programs, fine dining, creative enrichment programs, socializing opportunities, and much, much more. And of course, we still take care of all the home maintenance, housekeeping, yard work and snow shoveling!”

The new name, “Life Plan Community,” is the result of a multi-year effort coordinated by LeadingAge, a national association of not-for-profit aging services organizations, and Mather LifeWays, a not-for-profit organization that owns and operates two CCRCs. The new name was reached after extensive nationwide research was conducted, including feedback from more than 4,100 survey respondents and 250 focus group participants.

“I’m really excited about the new name,” said Mr. Hoff. “It really draws attention to our community being about life, not just care. And people that move to communities like ours tend to be planners, people who like to know they’ve made the decisions they need to make to ensure they have a solid plan in place for their future.”

“The most common thing we hear from new residents,” continued Mr. Hoff, “is that they say they should have moved in two years earlier. I think this new name will help more people understand just how beneficial moving to a community like Brandon Oaks is, and help them decide to move earlier, so that they can take maximum advantage of all we have to offer.”

For more information on the evolution of the name Life Plan Community, please visit LifePlanCommunity.org.

Construction of Pine Ridge, a new 12-unit cottage-apartment hybrid on the campus of Brandon Oaks LifeCare Community, was officially commemorated with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 10:00AM.

Pine Ridge will be an addition to the existing Pines neighborhood, built in 2010. Similarly, Pine Ridge will feature improved insulation, water-saving plumbing and energy efficient HVAC, lighting and appliances. The twelve luxury apartment homes will range in size from 1,500 to 1,700 square feet. Other features include underground parking, three-season porches and patios, a community room and gym. All of these features are in addition to the inclusive amenities and award-winning healthcare available to all Brandon Oaks residents. This project has a positive impact on the local economy due to Brandon Oaks’ commitment to utilizing local architects, construction companies and purchasing materials from other local businesses. Roanoke-based architecture firm, SFCS and Lionberger Construction Company were selected to spearhead the project.

Marketing for Pine Ridge began earlier this year to gauge interest for the potential new building. Within the first few meetings, multiple people placed deposits on what will become Pine Ridge. Currently, 8 of the 12 available units are reserved. “The Pine Ridge expansion has had such excitement surrounding it since we first announced the plans to build, and we are simply thrilled for those who have already reserved their new residences. Some of the key deciding factors for these future residents included the personalization of their new home prior to construction, the beautiful and peaceful setting of Pine Ridge, as well as the security and peace of mind that the Brandon Oaks lifestyle offers,” stated Mary Whelchel, Director of Sales and Marketing for Brandon Oaks.

Brandon Oaks has seen tremendous growth in the past five years: the construction of Pine Crest in 2010, the opening of the state-of-the-art rehabilitation expansion – the John P. Fishwick Center – in 2014 and the groundbreaking of Pine Ridge this year. In 2016, Brandon Oaks will expand its service offerings to include home healthcare and home care to the greater Roanoke community. Brandon Oaks Executive Director, Joe Hoff commented, “As a well respected provider of senior living and healthcare, it is our duty to provide the best quality living accommodations for our current and future residents”. Hoff added, “Our growth over the past 5 years is proof of our commitment to constant improvement and innovative approaches to senior living”.

 

 

 

From left to right: Charles Downs, Jr. of Virginia Lutheran Homes’ Board of Trustees; Sam Lionberger, III of Lionberger Construction; Heather Neff, President and CEO of Virginia Lutheran Homes; Chris Morrill, City Manager of Roanoke; Joe Hoff, Executive Director of Brandon Oaks; Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce; Senator John Edwards; Pastor Dave Skole of Virginia Lutheran Homes’ Board of Trustees