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10 Reasons to Love Summertime in Pittsburgh
Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy your city. And luckily for our residents at Sherwood Oaks retirement community, we’ve got quite an exciting city to explore. In fact, in June, the “Best Cities To Retire In America List” named Pittsburgh the best metro area for Boomers to retire in.
This is partly because of the easy access to healthcare that comes with Pittsburgh’s top-quality healthcare systems, such as UPMC. However, the vast array of activities for retirees in close distance to Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community is another reason our residents are going to have plenty of fun in the sun this summer.
Here are the top 10 reasons we LOVE summertime in Pittsburgh:
- Free Summer Concerts – Pittsburgh has birthed musicians such as Dean Martin, Perry Como, and George Benson. We continue to keep the tradition of musical excellence going all summer long with free and low-cost concerts throughout the city. Visit Hartwood Acres for their summer concert series, featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and folk rock singer Rickie Lee Jones. Or grab lunch in Market Square downtown and take advantage of their free Lunchtime Concert Series, as well as other events throughout the summer.
- Phipps Conservatory – The Phipps Conservatory public gardens are perfect for those Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community residents with a green thumb, or just an appreciation for one. Seniors 62 and older can visit Phipps for just $14 and take in the beautiful array of flowers and plants all day long. From now until September 2, enjoy the featured Butterfly Forest.
- PNC Park – PNC Park has been referred to as one of the top ballparks in the country. And with the Pirates on a winning streak this summer, it’s a great time to pay a visit! With a wide variety of summertime food favorites and discounted tickets from Giant Eagle, you can spend a night at the ball game that will leave your stomach – and wallet – full.
- Culture – There is no denying the rich culture that Pittsburgh has to offer. This summer, pay a visit to one or many of Pittsburgh’s wonderful museums, including the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Heinz History Center, and the Fort Pitt Museum, just to name a few. Each of these museums have a senior citizen discount.
- The Pittsburgh Zoo – The Pittsburgh Zoo is a great place that our residents can enjoy with their children and grandchildren. Grandparents even get free admission on Grandparents’ day when accompanied by a grandchild! When visiting on a normal day, be sure to use your senior citizen discount and stop by to see the newborn baby tiger!
- The Strip District – If you’re looking for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, pastas, and more to whip up a great summer dish, look no further than the Strip District. For our residents who enjoy spending time in the kitchen, we recommend picking up ingredients at the shops and stands of the culturally eclectic Strip District. While you’re there you can also enjoy shopping for delicious foreign foods and souvenirs for friends and family that are uniquely Pittsburgh.
- Kennywood – Kennywood has been entertaining Pittsburgh residents since 1898. Since that time, their selection of rides for visitors of all ages, shows and entertainment, and food options have expanded immensely. Seniors 55+ can get a fun day pass for just $19.99. And July 11, 15, 30, and 31 are Kennywood’s Boomer Days, featuring a DJ playing oldies but goodies in Pavilion 1.
- The Duquesne Incline – The Duquesne Incline offers a breathtaking view of Pittsburgh from Mount Washington, with plenty of dining options near the lookout. It’s the perfect afternoon “staycation” for couples.
- Local Parks – Pittsburgh has plenty of beautiful city parks, great for enjoying some fresh air and getting in some exercise by biking or walking. Most parks offer events all summer long, so be sure to check out the Citiparks website for a full list.
- Cinema in the Park – One fantastic park offering is the Cinema in the Park series, with movies being shown throughout the city – for free!
While we offer only the best in living arrangements to our residents, we encourage them to get out of the house and enjoy all of the summertime activities that Pittsburgh has to offer. What are some local activities and attractions that YOU recommend?
TIME LINE OF EVENTS FOR SHERWOOD OAKS
1982 – Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community opens its doors on the 84 acre campus located in Cranberry Twp, PA for seniors who wanted to retire in Pittsburgh
1983 – Completed construction of the Greenhouse and the Gazebo overlooking the lake
1986 – Sherwood Oaks affiliated with North Hills Passavant Hospital
1994 – We built and dedicated the Oak Lodge a residence for visiting family and friends
1999 – Opened the Fitness Center and built a perimeter walking trail
2001 – A new Gatehouse was completed, and residents established the Employee Scholarship Fund (which has provided over $371,000 in employee scholarship grants
2002 – Sherwood Oaks became a part of UPMC Senior Communities
2006 – Renovations to the Community Center building were completed, enhancing our dining and fitness facilities
2010 – New residents seeking retirement Pittsburgh began moving into the 24-unit Lakeside Apartment Building
2011 – We dedicated the Oak Grove Center, a care facility for persons with memory impairment. Residents raised over $9 million to support this effort
2012 – The renovated 43-bed skilled nursing facility opens
ISLAND COOKOUT
Enjoy steel drum music by the Tropical Sands Steel Drum Band, delicious food and a tour of the most popular patio homes on our campus. It’s a perfect way for you and your family to enjoy a summer day. Join us on Wednesday, July 10 at 10:45 for music and noon for a picnic. Walking tours will be at 1 p.m. Please RSVP to 800 642-2217 to reserve your space.
Freedom, Fun, and Financial Security
Think living at Sherwood Oaks is out of your financial reach? We have several types of contracts, including no entrance fee rental contracts as well as options with refundable entrance fees.
We have a new Cost Comparison Calculator that will help you to compare your current living expenses with the costs to live at Sherwood Oaks. You can review the Calculator online or request a free Cost Comparison Calculator or by calling (800) 642-2217.
You can see for yourself the valuable benefits and exceptional value of Sherwood Oaks. Retirement living with freedom, fun, and financial security may be comfortably within your reach.
A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE
“We’re just so happy to be together and here at Sherwood Oaks,” says Georgia and Ward Trostle.
Ward and Georgia Trostle moved to this retirement community, Sherwood Oaks, several years ago. They selected a two-bedroom apartment in the newly constructed Lakeside apartments on the Sherwood Oaks campus. “We like the apartment and the connection to the community center is very convenient and an easy walking distance,” Ward said.
The couple are enjoying socializing and the activities at Sherwood Oaks. Georgia and Ward are taking a Beginners Bridge class and also tried line dancing. Together, they have participated in an exercise program at the Fitness Center. They make use of the library and have high praise for the staff and residents at Sherwood Oaks.
“We came to Sherwood Oaks because we wanted to make our own choice on our own terms,” said Georgia. “I had the difficult and sad experience of seeing my parents in a nursing home and Ward and I did not want our children to have to do that for us.”
The Trostles are from Penn Township in Butler County. Ward is a retired auto dealership owner and Georgia spent her career as a real estate broker.
“We are enjoying Sherwood Oaks and all that it has to offer. It’s a great feeling knowing that we are free from things like home maintenance and cooking,” described the Trostles. “And most of all, we’re happy to be together and living retirement to the fullest in this wonderful retirement community.”
Free Moving Services Program Offered by Sherwood Oaks
Selling your home and moving to a new residence can be a time consuming and overwhelming process. Having the expertise of professionals who are knowledgeable about the real estate market, enhancing the look of your property, and assisting with the organizing and moving services can make all the difference. That’s why Sherwood Oaks retirement community has unveiled a new moving services program to assist incoming residents to our retirement community. And, the program is free.
“The goal of the program is to help new residents maximize the profit on the sale of their home and experience a smooth transition when settling into their new retirement residence at Sherwood Oaks,” says Katherine Vojtko, Vice President of Sherwood Oaks. “The program is free and open to Sherwood Oaks clients who are preparing to sell their home. Residents can take advantage of the many program benefits that cover home selling, moving and organizing help, and financial services.”
Two top area realtors, Howard Hanna and Prudential Preferred Realty, have been selected to participate in the Sherwood Oaks Program as Preferred Realtors. Both companies are well-established and each have certified Senior Real Estate Specialists who are trained to navigate the market and counsel 50+ clients through major lifestyle transitions involved with relocating and selling the family home. Both companies offer similar advantages and will rebate the home seller 10% of the gross commission on the sale of the home.
To participate in the Preferred Realtor portion of the program, an approved resident must pre-register for the program and use one of the participating real estate companies.
Additional program benefits:
A free home staging evaluation to enhance your home’s appeal to buyers. You will receive expert advice for getting your home in prime showing condition. Simple solutions like removing clutter, rearranging furniture and freshening paint colors can make a big impact. Using principles of function, flow and design, staging professionals will provide tips that will help make a home market-ready and appealing. Click here to read about more staging tips.
Receive up to five free hours of a professional moving organizer’s time to help you manage packing, organizing, and unpacking at your new residence. Who couldn’t use help to get the packing process started and keep it organized? And since the moving organizer is familiar with Sherwood Oaks residences, you’ll get the added bonus of advice about specific furniture pieces and placement at your new residence, too.
Special financial services including the choice of three Sherwood Oaks refundable entrance plan options. Depositors who participate in Sherwood Oaks’ Preferred Realtor program may be eligible for a bridge loan for all, or part, of the entrance fee.
Katherine Vojtko says the program streamlines a complicated process and makes it easy for residents to begin retirement life at Sherwood Oaks retirement community. “It is one of the best move-in packages for a retirement community in Western Pennsylvania.”
To register or learn more about the Moving Services Program, contact the Sherwood Oaks marketing team at 1-800-642-2217.
Risk and Retirement
It is important for seniors to ask careful questions as they consider which retirement community is best suited to their needs. We believe that Sherwood Oaks is among the financially strongest retirement communities in Pittsburgh because:
- The Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community has successfully operated for more than 30 years and enjoys an excellent reputation.
- The Sherwood Oaks audit shows positive net assets, strong operating income, positive investment returns, and continued investment in capital assets.
- Resident satisfaction at Sherwood Oaks, as measured by an outside consulting firm, shows that residents have rated Sherwood Oaks as exceeding national benchmark scores.
- The UPMC is our parent company and one of the most financially sound organizations in the region.
- Sherwood Oaks is one of the few Pittsburgh retirement communities to be fully accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, www.carf.org.
Although risk is present with any endeavor, we would point out that not living at Sherwood Oaks presents a risk. We believe that the enjoyment of the amenities, physical security, and the knowledge that unlimited continuing care is guaranteed are wonderful benefits for retirees.
Please contact our marketing office at 1-800-642-2217 if you have questions about Sherwood Oaks. We are happy to provide any information you may need about all aspects of our retirement community and the many entrance options available at Sherwood Oaks.
Retirees Enjoy Active Lifestyle
“Make the decision to come to Sherwood Oaks while you are young and active enough to enjoy it,” advises Loretta Pospistle. Loretta and her husband Richard, have been residents since 2006. They love the fact that the residents develop and run the activities at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community and they are taking full advantage of them to match their energetic lifestyle.
At this active Pittsburgh retirement community, Loretta participates in Tai Chi and shares a weekly walk as part of the Walk with a Friend program. She puts on her dancing shoes and joins husband Richard to take part in line dancing fun. “I enjoy games,” says Loretta, “and I play poker, dominoes, and a variety of card games. I also like to play Mah Jongg, but there wasn’t a play group here at Sherwood, so Richard and I started one!”
“I enjoy being active and helping others,” says Richard, who frequently entertains residents on his keyboard.
Now that he has time to devote to it, Richard is getting back to painting as a member of the art group. He spends time with the resident art instructor and is working in both acrylic and watercolors. He has served on the Program Committee in this retirement community that secures outside entertainment such as musical, comedy and guest speakers to perform at Sherwood Oaks. And as a member of the Dining Services Committee, he has also participated in determining healthful and appetizing food options and reviews resident comments.
When Loretta served as a member of the Health Affairs Committee, she received health care concerns of residents and helped develop educational programs, such as preventing falls. She felt honored when asked to create a permanent Sherwood Oaks historical display for the Oak Lodge. “Richard and I love to be active and involved, but we make certain to set aside time each day to spend with each other.”
Other popular activities at this retirement community include the indoor heated swimming pool, Landscape Committee, Book Club, Ceramics and Art Classes.
Sherwood Oaks residents currently have over 50 committees and activities available on campus. They know that active people are happier, healthier and a whole lot of fun to be around. Click here to read more about the activities available at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community.
What is a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community)?
A Continuing Care Retirement Community, or CCRC, is a senior community which offers housing, services and nursing care, all in one location.
In order to attain a CCRC certificate, an organization applies to the PA Department of Insurance for a “certificate of authority.” If granted, the organization is able to use the title of continuing care retirement community and qualifies for certain tax benefits.
So, how can seniors be sure which continuing care retirement community is right for them? “The key is knowing that the services that will be rendered to you are governed by the written agreement between the community and the resident. These agreements must be read carefully to determine exactly what is—or isn’t included,” says Mark D. Bondi, President and CEO of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community.
CCRCs offer many different types of agreements. Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community is a Type A community. The most commonly offered CCRC agreements are:
Type A (Extensive) Agreement – includes housing, residential services, amenities and unlimited, specific health-related services with little or no increase in monthly payments except to cover normal operating costs and inflation adjustments.
Type B (Modified) Agreement – like A above, except that a specified amount of health care services are included. After the specified amount of health care is used, a discounted rate or full per day rates for required health services will be charged.
Type C (Fee-for-Service) – Includes housing, residential services and amenities for the fees stated in the agreement. Access to health care is guaranteed, but it may be required at full fee-for-service rates.
Rental Agreement – Allows residents the opportunity to rent their housing and provides, but does not guarantee, access to health care services paid on a fee-for-service basis.
Bondi describes an example to illustrate the big differences between CCRC agreements. “If a resident becomes ill at Sherwood Oaks, our Type A agreement offers multiple levels of care at no additional cost allowing the residents’ needs to be met on campus as they change. Other types of agreements do not. Residents who fall ill at other CCRCs will need to find a health provider and arrange for payment of health services on their own. And these payments may be significant—costs for one year of skilled nursing services can exceed $90,000.”
Residents choose Sherwood Oaks because their healthcare, including personal care, are here on campus and guaranteed. They are glad to come to Sherwood Oaks when healthy enough to enjoy life, friendships and fun. Click here to learn more about Continuing Care at Sherwood Oaks.
10 Things to Enjoy on the Sherwood Oaks Campus
10 Things to Enjoy on the Sherwood Oaks Campus
1. The feeling of safety and security knowing that this retirement community PA, Sherwood Oaks, is a gated community with 24-hour security.
2. Relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty as you stroll along any of the many scenic walking trails on campus.
3. Fishing with your grandchildren at the lake at this retirement community PA.
4. Hosting family and friends for a picnic at the Summer House.
5. Having guests for an extended stay on campus at the Oak Lodge.
6. Walking through the Trillium garden, the largest and most varied collection of native Trillium anywhere in the area.
7. Enjoying the rock garden and native meadow as you stroll through the North Woods.
8. Planting and tending to your own vegetable or flower garden in the raised beds at this retirement community PA, Sherwood Oaks.
9. The peace of mind knowing that your future is secure and care is close by when needed.
10. Sharing dinner with friends wile overlooking the lake at this beautiful retirement community PA, Sherwood Oaks.