PPH resident Jean Holland sits in the living room of her two-bedroom apartment that overlooks the community’s new ACE Center & Gardens

Jean Holland is a new PPH resident. The semi-retired Registered Nurse, who spent 35 years at Fox Chase Cancer Center, only moved into her two-bedroom Alpha Building apartment in August, but in that short time, has already created a cozy home.

“I was only here a few days before my apartment truly felt like home,” says Jean, who wasted no time moving her favorite belongings from her Fox Chase house into her spacious new place this summer.

But just as she was officially settling into her new apartment, Jean welcomed another change – her sister, Barbara Boyer, joined Jean at PPH and moved into her spare bedroom this fall. “We used to joke and say that, if we lost our husbands, we’d live together in our retirement years,” says Jean. “And now, in fact, we’re able to enjoy this time while supporting each other.”

Jean, who has two children and five grandchildren, still works part time as a nurse. Back in 2015, when she and her late-husband Roger began considering senior living options, she knew she’d explore PPH first. A seasoned healthcare professional, she had known patients and coworkers throughout her nursing career whose loved ones had resided at PPH and shared their great experiences.

“I never looked at another place,” says Jean, who also knew about PPH’s commitment to clinical excellence thanks to her colleague who teaches nursing courses at Holy Family University and sends her students to PPH for their clinical rotations. “I knew PPH was the right place for me.”

While Jean enjoys quiet time at home with Barbara, enjoying their view of the new ACE Center & Gardens, she also remains quite active through regular walks and workouts.

“I’m so happy I moved to PPH while I’m still able to take advantage of the amenities and participate in so many things,” says Jean, who regularly takes exercise classes in the Wellness and Aquatics Center, including the swimming pool, yoga and Tai Chi.

“I recommend friends consider moving while they can still fully enjoy their time.”

In addition the host of events and activities, Jean shares that her peace of mind has been the one of the greatest benefits to moving into PPH. “We are never alone here,” she says. “Barbara and I are carefree and can focus on our interests and passions instead of constant property maintenance. We know someone is always available — day or night — to help.”

To learn more about PPH or to schedule a tour, please visit www.PPHFamily.org or dial 215-697-8000.

The Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH), founded in 1889 and incorporated in 1890, is a nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Northeast Philadelphia, licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and certified by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). 

PPH serves Northeast Philadelphia, Eastern Montgomery County, Lower Bucks County and the Greater Philadelphia area. Once again in 2017, for the sixth consecutive year, PPH’s nursing home, Pathways Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best nursing homes in the country and continues to receive a five-star rating from CMS.