The PPH Blog.
THE LATEST IN 62+ LIVING FROM OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM.
When you step into the courtyard at The Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH), it’s like being transported to a quaint village. While cosmopolitan amenities of the city lay just outside these walls, inside there is a peaceful, easy feeling of comfort and community. Just like a village square, everything is centrally located inside PPH with convenient access to a bank, doctor’s office, five dining venues, a mini-mart, and state-of-the-art fitness center, complete with swimming pool. There’s even a bowling alley.
While you’ll find plenty to do, we’ve also mastered the art of not-doing. All around you’ll find an inviting Zen-like floral oasis with scenic walking paths that wind past lush landscaping, mature trees, a koi pond, a gazebo and dining patios where you can get equal parts sun and shade for quiet pursuits like reading and chatting with friends.
Celebrating PPH’s centenarians on the 100th day of the year
April 9 marks the 100th day of the year, the day that PPH celebrates its centenarians. What’s the secret to a happy, healthy and long life? We spoke to four of our 17 centenarians, who
Paying tribute to the inspirational women of PPH
From left to right: Vice President of Human Resources Daphne Floyd, Vice President of Marketing & Communications Shannon Grieb, PPH Residents’ Association President Dr. Elaine C. Grose, Interim President & CEO Dr. Nancy Koury King,
Rightsize Your Life
Spring is right around the corner and is the perfect time to think about de-cluttering and simplifying your life. When people hear the term, “downsize”, it is usually met with resistance. Rightsizing is a better
NEW Year, Same YOU!
As the calendar year flips over to a new year, we are bombarded with ads and images of “NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!” The reality is, as the year changes, we’re the same “us.” People often
How to Cope With the Challenges of Care Giving
At PPH, we understand the stress of caregivers. We have put together an informational article, including resources and self-care practices to ease the burden. Click below for the article: Challenges of Care Giving
Staying Healthy this Fall!
PPH’s Infection Preventionist, Eileen Bratton, often meets with residents and staff to answer questions about the risk of becoming infected with Covid, the seasonal flu, or RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Eileen Bratton, PPH's Infection
Simplify Your Life
There seems to be a holiday or observance for just about everything! From "talk like a pirate day" to "chocolate chip cookie day" -- you can usually find a day, week or month where there
Getting WiSE at PPH!
When you think about moving to a senior living community, the first thing that comes to mind is relaxing. Although this is true, many of our residents enjoy relaxation time, they also keep busy with
The Importance of Women’s History Month
The origins of Women's History Month began in 1911, during the first International Women's Day. Celebrated on March 8, International Women's Day is an annual celebration that recognizes the accomplishments of women, while also highlighting
PPH Honors Black History Month
by PPH resident Carol Drummond The theme for this year's Black History Month is "Black Resistance", focusing on how African Americans, even though they have been oppressed in all facets of their lives, have risen
Happy National Activity Professionals Day!
National Activity Professionals Day, celebrated the fourth Friday in January, is the day to celebrate all activity coordinators and social care practitioners’ creativity, enthusiasm, and dedication to empowering care home residents across the country to
2022 Year in Review
It is hard to believe the year is coming to a close. This year has been full of fun and celebration. We have highlighted some of our favorite moments from 2022! JANUARY: Happy New
PPH: A Mini Blue Zone for Wellness and Longevity
August is National Wellness Month, but at PPH, residents and staff focus on wellness every day of the year. Maureen Solomon, PPH Director of Wellness, finds inspiration for wellness programming in many different places, including
How Do the Gardens Grow at PPH?
How Do the Gardens Grow at PPH? At PPH, gardening is a time of fellowship and sharing. (And of course, delicious eating, especially in the summer months!) Today a longtime resident gardener shares her favorite
PPH celebrates resident nurses – Sister Maryann Tregoning
Sister Maryann Tregoning (left) at an Alternative to Violence (ATV) project event. She was one of 120 national and international attendees. PPH resident, Sister Maryann Tregoning, spent 48 years in Ghana as a
PPH celebrates resident nurses – Margaret Simon
Margaret Simon, class of 1953 at St. Mary's School of Nursing. Margaret Simon PPH resident Margaret Simon received her Registered Nurse (RN) certification in 1953 from St. Mary's School of Nursing
PPH celebrates resident nurses – Lucille Hite
Lucille Hite (current photo) Lucille Hite - nursing graduation photo 1954 PPH resident Lucille Hite is a graduate of The Pittsburgh Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1954. She worked pediatrics
Earth Day – What Does It Mean Today?
In 1970, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Earth Day were born thanks to Sen. Gaylord Nelson and President Richard Nixon. Now 52 yrs later, many world citizens are wondering if the world has
The Greenhouse Clippings
“I’m in love with plants!” That is Alpha Manor resident Sylvia’s instant response when asked why she volunteers in PPH’s greenhouse. Love of plants is certainly what brings PPH residents and outside volunteers to our
Four employees from four departments recognized as Guardian Angels
PPH's four new Guardian Angels come from different departments across the PPH campus. Anna. a Gateway Manor resident, recognized Pamela Sawyer of the Medical Office and Services Coordinator Joanne McLaverty. “Thank you, Joanne, for delivering
How PPH is celebrating Black History Month — all month
February is Black History Month, a tribute to generations of African Americans who have struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in our country’s society. The Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH), a nonprofit senior living community
Life Lessons from PPH Centenarians
Life Lessons from Two Centenarian Residents at PPH Two PPH residents, Marcella Fellin and Cecelia Amato, have three things in common. They are close friends, they have celebrated their 100th birthdays, and they love their
The Art of Living at PPH
Ron Hugo and Harry Morrissy are two talented resident artists (and friends) that share a love for creating stained glass art and living at PPH. One of their favorite spots on campus? The Art Studio
Spots around PPH
At PPH, there are many spots — indoors and outdoors — you’ll find residents frequenting throughout the day. Some are great for socializing, some are suited for solitude, and others may offer a combination of
Why We’ll Continue to Use Virtual Tools in the New Normal
At PPH, we’re thrilled to announce that we are now open for in-person tours, and we will be hosting in-person events in the very near future. We are excited about being able to greet you
PPH President and CEO John Dubyk Shares His Favorite Neighborhood Spots
President and CEO John Dubyk has longtime ties to both the PPH community and the entire area. He grew up just 10 minutes from PPH in Cheltenham more than 30 years ago. As a true
Pathways residents and staff feel better when they’re dancing
At PPH, we feel better when we're dancing! Pathways' celebrated National Skilled Nursing Care Week and National Nurse's Week with a dance party. To view, click here! PPH would like to thank all of our
PPH Residents Band Together to Feed Their Hungry Neighbors
“Rarely do I feel hungry,” says Tom Sexton, a resident at Philadelphia Protestant Home. “But when I do feel really hungry, it’s a very uncomfortable feeling. It must be terrible to be hungry and not
Best Netflix Shows About Retirement and Aging
As we all continue to hunker down at home, watching Netflix and other streaming services has helped lighten our mood. Here are some binge-worthy shows that showcase the amazing talents of actors, actresses and cooking
What Retirement Community Would Benjamin Franklin Have Chosen?
As a longtime Philadelphia resident, writer, publisher, scientist and inventor, what community would Benjamin Franklin have chosen? Here are ten reasons why The Philadelphia Protestant Home would have been at the top of his list.
5 Reasons to Choose a Connected Apartment Over a Stand-alone Cottage
Every type of community residence has its pros and cons. How to choose the place that’s perfect for you? It can be helpful to make a list of your wants and needs, and see which
Make Sure Your Prospective Community Fosters the Six Dimensions of Wellness
When you’re shopping for a community, you’ll want to view the grounds, inspect the common spaces, and take a close look at the residences. But some of the most important aspects of the campus might
7 Reasons to Move to a Retirement Community Early
If you talk to people who haven’t moved to a retirement community yet, they often say things like, “It’s too soon,” or “I’m not ready yet.” Yet, if you speak to people who have already
Making the Most out of Family Visits, Part II: Tips for Video Chats
Since the pandemic began, the staff at our Chapters Memory Care program have connected residents and families by placing over 500 video calls. Jennifer Honeyford, Vice President of Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, shares why these
Top 10 Housewarming Gifts for New Residents
When new residents move into a retirement community, they’re usually trying to subtract possessions, not add them. Even if they’ve already drastically downsized, they may find themselves still paring down after they’ve moved in. As
How Much Do You Know About Life Plan Communities? Take the Quiz!
Questions: Communities are always more expensive than staying in your home. TRUE OR FALSE? A Life Plan Community, or CCRC, is somewhere you should go only when you need care. TRUE OR FALSE? It matters
How to Use Your Five Senses to Choose a Community
As Life Plan Communities begin to open back up, we’d like to provide you with some tips. Keep them in mind so that you’ll be well prepared as you begin your visits. During the tour,
Making the Most Out of Family Visits
In Pennsylvania, masks are now required to be worn whenever you leave your home. The Pennsylvania Department of Health asks that we remember this saying, “My mask protects you, your mask protects me.” Besides being
Age Is Just a Number for These Famous YouTubers
Although YouTube has a reputation as a young person’s domain, recent statistics tell a different story. YouTube is becoming more popular among people of all ages, with more than 1 billion videos watched, worldwide, every
Virtually the Best Ways to See Philadelphia
One of the things our residents love most about life at The Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH) is its easy access to the bright lights of Philadelphia and all of the many attractions there, from sporting
Pros and Cons of Nonprofit and For-profit Senior Communities
When you’re shopping for a senior living community, one thing that might not be immediately obvious is the community’s financial status. Is it a for-profit or nonprofit community? According to the dictionary, “for-profit” is a
Important Community Qualities You Won’t Be Able to See on a Tour
So, you’ve arrived at a senior living community for a tour. The grounds look gorgeous, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and your friendly guide is extolling the virtues of the community. You
Why You Should Move Because You Want to, Not Because You Need To
We hear it all of the time from our current residents: They are very happy that they joined The Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH) family, and their one regret is that they didn’t make the move
Misconceptions About Faith-based Communities
As you make your decision about which retirement community to choose, one of your many considerations may be whether or not a community is faith-based. When you hear about a faith-based community, such as The
Five No-commitment Ways to Test-drive a Community
Are you considering a move to a retirement community for the next chapter of your life, but not sure where, when or how to take the next step? It’s a big move, and you want
New Research Confirms That Life Plan Communities Help People Stay Healthier
Over the years, studies have shown that residents at Life Plan Communities tend to live healthier and happier lives. Now, new research has confirmed those findings. The five-year nationwide study, administered by the Mather Institute
Five Amenities You May Not Have Known That We Have
At Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH), we’re proud of the long list of amenities that come together to create our active, engaging lifestyle. You’ll find all of the offerings you’d expect to see at a community,
What Personality Fits You Best?
The Research When you embark on a search for a Life Plan Community (formerly Continuing Care Retirement Community), you quickly discover many similarities. You compare the brochures and notice that most have a fitness program,
Memory Care Activities & Exercises to Improve Brain Health
Your brain is a lot like the other muscles in your body and just like your leg and arm muscles, your brain needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy. The human brain is truly magnificent and
What Does Aging in Place Mean?
Aging in place is a broad term used to describe the idea of seniors living in the residence for as long as possible. The foremost goal of aging in place is to provide the services
Retiring in Philadelphia: Things For Seniors to Do & See
Philadelphia offers many activities for seniors who want to enjoy retirement, whether through taking in world-class arts exhibits, keeping up to date with Philadelphia sports teams, or touring the area's top attractions. If you're looking
Reasons to Consider a Retirement Community in Philadelphia
As you head into your retirement years, it’s natural to start thinking about where you plan to live. Although some retirees stay in their homes, many head to retirement communities. Over the years, retirement communities
PPh 6th Annual Wellness Symposium
Although there are specific months and days dedicated to health and fitness, at PPh the initiative is everyday year-round. On Friday March 31 PPh, with the help of some local partners reiterated that message at
2016 Bergdoll Society Dinner
The Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPh) hosted its 10th annual Bergdoll Society Dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 in the PPh Social Hall. This year’s event was particularly special as PPh introduced a
Battling caregiver stress
Submitted by Carrie Gabryelewicz, Personal Care Social Worker at PPh The demands of being a caregiver can be very rewarding, however can quickly become overwhelming. Caregivers need to be mindful that they remain aware of
License and registration please…
Submitted by Lisa Rubin-Wallack, Director of Social Services at PPh One of the first coming of age milestones is getting your driver’s license. At sixteen it signified freedom, first leap into adulthood, and may have
National Nutrition Month
Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds people to return to the basics of healthful eating through National Nutrition Month. Every year there is a new theme but the message never changes. The
Health Tip of the week
Check out Maureen's health tip this week on WBCB 1490 AM UpWords with Chris Ermer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDEFWD1mLis Don't forget to tune in to WBCB every Wednesday at 10 AM for Sunshine Memories, airing right from our
Brain Fitness
For adults concerned that their cognitive abilities may fade as they age, there's some good news. Exciting findings reveal that engaging in deliberate “brain fitness” program can yield significant benefits – just like a daily
New Year’s Resolution
The most common New Year’s resolution for most people is improved health. We promise to seek better physical health by losing weight,eating a healthier diet, and exercising more. We commit to having enhanced mental and
Health Tip of the Week
Check out Maureen's health tip of the week on staying independent for as long as you can.
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Contact The Philadelphia Protestant Home.
You have to see this community to believe that it’s located right here in Philly. Please call 215-515-6315 or fill out the form to connect. We’d love to help you.