Forever in Our Hearts, John B.L. Schopfer, (1952 – 2014)

John, a member of Clarksboro Masonic Lodge 87 and a devout United Methodist is survived by his wife and five children. He worked at UMH Collingswood Manor for 33 but knew of Collingswood Manor well before his relationship with us. John first came to Collingswood Manor with the youth group from the United Methodist Church in Haddon Heights to entertain residents.

In 1979, when he was looking for a full time day job, John applied for employment at Collingswood. His experience volunteering for other community organizations made it a perfect fit.

John credited his first administrator, Robert Hawthorne for encouraging him to join the UMH family. He was quoted explaining “One thing I like the most about this job is being able to prepare good healthy and safe food every day for the residents and associates.” His life’s work is a beautiful reminder of the UMH mission of compassionately serving in community so that all are free to choose abundant life.

A previously undetected brain tumor discovered after his involvement in a car accident, caused him to leave Collingswood Manor and focus on his health. Regretfully, he passed away. May he rest in eternal peace in the presence of our Lord!

To find out more about United Methodist Homes assisted living services, amenities and staff visit us at www.umh-nj.org.

Wayne Ford A.K.A. Papa San, A NJ Martial Arts Community Icon

Papa San, has been a NJ martial arts community icon for 50 years. He is a karate teacher, trusted mentor and a loyal friend to parents, students, and contemporaries alike. Not to mention a celebrated resident at UMH Covenant Manor.

Wayne’s martial skills were first recognized as a young boxer on the 4th Street YMCA Boxing Team. After working four years in the U.S. Navy, he returned to the U.S. and dedicated his life to the study of martial arts.

Wayne trained under the Late Min Pai for five years, becoming his teacher’s favorite sparring partner. He remembers Min Pai striking him during a sparring session. “Min didn’t even move,” Wayne recalled. “However, after we got finished, he took me over in a corner and said, “You spar good. You just don’t hit hard enough!”

In 1964, he established his own school in Plainfield and after many years of teaching, Wayne met James Fain, a Black Belt Hall of Fame (International Association of Martial Arts) inductee and Grand Master in the American Goshi Shun Style. Through International Association of Martial Arts Papa San learned Aiki-Jujitsu, a demanding introspective form of Japanese jujitsu. He also perfected his skills in karate and excelled in Aiki-Jujitsu.

Papa San remembered, “When my formal training started with Fain, I was still a truck driver. Coincidentally, one of my deliveries was near his school in Newark. Fain was training with the Great Grand Master Dwight Wilson and he invited me to train for an introduction. The movement was so efficient with an entrancing focus and spirit. I enjoyed the conditioning and drills and knew this signaled something special in my martial arts training. I began again as a novice and that humility, has proven to be the best decision I ever made, for my martial arts and for my life.”

He began to study the true spirit of martial movement and explore an evolved level of discipline. Today, Papa San is an 8th degree black belt in both karate and Aiki-Jujitsu and a recognized Grand Master and a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame.

At United Methodist Homes, we cherish the stories and experiences of our assisted living residents and associates alike. These caring and compassionate individuals contribute to the tight knit fabric of our communities. To find out more about assisted living at United Methodist homes visit us at www.umh-nj.org.

What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)?

Are you among the many Americans 65 years or older, who wish to enjoy retirement without the added distraction and hassle of maintaining a home? Are you turned-off by the stigma of moving to a “senior facility?” United Methodist Homes of NJ can offer an answer with a look into a living arrangement known as a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community).  CCRCs, with multiple living options, can significantly increase your quality of life and security while preserving your assets for your loved ones.

What Can A CCRC Offer Me?

For those that aren’t familiar with the acronym CCRC, it stands for Continuing Care Retirement Community.   The State of New Jersey imposes specific requirements on organizations before they can be classified in this way. CCRCs are unique types of senior communities, dedicated to adults 65 years or older, that provide apartment style independent living accommodations as well as a continuum of care. “Continuum of care” implies that, even though a resident may not require any assistance initially, as their needs increase so can the care provided by the CCRC. In return for an entrance fee and a monthly service fee, a CCRC resident can live completely independently, but be in close proximity to social activities, have enhanced security, and gain access to incrementally greater assistance of all kinds as ongoing needs dictate. 

CCRCs provide many of the same things for active seniors that over 55 communities offer but with a few important distinctions:

1.      A CCRC provides access to more services and programs, more easily than an over 55 community.

2.      The buy-in for an apartment home in a CCRC is typically much less than buying a condo or townhome in an over 55 community.

3.      You don’t pay taxes or utility bills on your CCRC apartment home, just a monthly fee based on its size and the additional services you require, if any.  CCRC living is “all inclusive.”

4.      State licensed CCRC communities oftentimes offer a “Legacy Preservation” option which allows a large portion, usually 90% of the cost of the buy-in to be refunded to your estate when you die.

5.      In a CCRC you are easily able to incrementally transition to greater levels of personal and medical assistance as you age or needs change.

6.      CCRC fees typically include dinner in beautiful onsite dining rooms, access to a robust variety of senior activities, exercise programs, transportation assistance, concierge services and much more.

7.      At UMH CCRC residents have access to assisted living services.  Should your medical needs change, you are given priority into any of our assisted living programs.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Continuing Care Retirement Community?

Many seniors who choose to live in an independent living community, such as United Methodist Homes’ continuing care retirement community, Bristol Glen, may not initially require assistance with daily activities, but enjoy the peace of mind that comes with living in a secure community, access to continuing care, and the ready companionship of other seniors, along with numerous other benefits. 

These benefits include:

·        Independent Senior Living – CCRC style independent living lets you leave behind the chores and errands you no longer care to do so you can enjoy maintenance and worry-free living.

·        Socialization & Entertainment – Similar to a college campus, a CCRC offers direct access to a thriving hub of recreational activities and social engagement inside and outside of the community.

·        All Inclusive Rent – Downsizing will simplify your life by eliminating the ongoing taxes, utility and maintenance costs associated with home ownership.

·        CCRC Amenities – UMH’s CCRC,  Bristol Glen, includes amenities that you may previously not had access to such as fitness centers, movie theaters, bustling activities centers, and scenic grounds to name a few.  Bristol Glen resembles a rural college campus with 74 beautiful acres of wooded grounds, meadows, trails, gardens, and terraces for walking, sitting, and enjoying nature.

·        Assistance (if you need it) – CCRCs differ from other retirement communities in that they assure access to specific health care services, including long-term care, should the need arise.

·        Flexible Financial Options – NJ State licensed CCRC communities also offer flexible financial options, including programs that allow for a refundable equity payment.

Understanding the CCRC Living Arrangement

If you are a senior looking for a secure but independent lifestyle without the added stress and responsibility of managing a home, then a CCRC may be the right choice for you.  To find more about the services at Bristol Glen, visit our website at http://www.bristol-glen.umh-nj.org/.

Active Senior Living at UMH

Staying active is crucial to maintaining a high quality of life, even at an advanced age. United Methodist Homes of New Jersey (UMHNJ) is committed to improving the lives of our residents. A key development of our efforts in this regard is our recent SeniorFITness program roll out at The Shores at Wesley Manor (Ocean City).
SeniorFITness, the multidisciplinary program built to be both fun and functional for older adults is managed by professional exercise physiologists. It includes activities to improve strength, balance, mobility and mental well-being for residents.
Overall there are huge benefits for those that participate in SeniorFITness. Residents will learn the how and why behind the program’s movements and activities. Also working on balance and stretching help them to prevent injuries and increases the longevity of completing their routine activities without any help. Physical exercise also presents a great avenue to meet others and take on age appropriate physical challenges in a friendly supportive environment.
We believe that cognitive, physical and social activity work together in establishing overall health lay at the core of the resident offerings. Finally, all the five assisted living communities which maintain a wide variety of optional programs is committed to keep seniors active and strong implements SeniorFITness. For more information about UMH assisted living services, visit www.umh-nj.org.