First, the Greek admonition applies—Know thyself.  Retirement brings many changes.  But it also is grounded in some of the lifelong constants of personality.  I had the time to reflect and discover.  Also for me, moving back full time to Frederick, felt like starting over again in a new town.  Although my wife and I have lived here since 2006, much of that time for me has been spent living in different communities where my work took me.  So, I have faced the joy and the uncertainty of being a newcomer again, even in a town that has been my home for twenty years.  Knowing that I am introverted meant that I had to overcome the anxiety of meeting new people.  Think of walking into a new school and figuring out where to sit in the lunchroom. Where will I fit in?  Will I be accepted?  Can this place provide the sense of community I need?

I felt this anxiety walking into every new setting, even those where I knew at least some people.  For instance, I decided to join the local Rotary Club.  Having been a Rotarian for many years in other towns, it seemed like a good way to meet people and to get involved in the community.  Overcoming my shyness, I began to brave the new breakfast hall.  Soon I found a welcome and encouragement that eased my worries and engaged me with a whole new group of acquaintances.  Joining projects and committees also broke the ice and in a short time, I had expanded my circle of friends exponentially.  This setting has provided me with a toe hold of community to be part of here.  I immediately became involved in community projects and causes ranging from volunteering to place flags downtown on holidays to joining a local effort to promote affordable housing.

The second lesson has been this—Be open to the new; do not cling to the past.  One of my new Rotary friends invited me to learn how to play pickleball.  This new sensation has been sweeping up retiring Baby Boomers across the country.  While it’s an easy game to learn, it is devilishly challenging to master.  However, I met a whole new group of people, also eager to learn and, more importantly, to make friends.  Novice pickleball was an excellent way to open myself to a whole new social group.

Not only was the exercise good at peeling off a few pounds, I found my stamina, coordination, and social life improved.  The only drawback was the aggravation of arthritis in my knees.  (But after all, Boomer pickleball is keeping orthopedic doctors in business these days!)  Even more importantly, pickleball provided a strong sense of acceptance and a new community.  As I learned names, I also learned about the families and histories of my new friends.  And they learned about me.  I looked forward to being together during the week.  And pickleballers gathered for picnics and happy hours, too.  This group expanded my deepening sense of community and the welcome that I needed.

Finally, expand the horizons.  As a shy person, I find it easy to stay close to home running the temptation of becoming reclusive.  Instead, my wife and I have been able to expand our international travel.  One of our traveling friends joked that we are now in the “Go Go” phase of retirement, meaning these early years of greatest energy and activity.  And we have been on the go.  Already we have logged trips to Ireland and Scotland, Japan, and our longest trip ever, six weeks in Australia and New Zealand.  Most recently, we hiked for two weeks along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, learning about Roman Britain’s history and culture.  Of course, more trips are planned.

Travel also has opened new friendships and expanded our understanding of the world, its people, and its cultures.  We now have a whole new circle of people with whom we correspond and plan to travel in the future.  My world has grown and my sense of belonging expanded.

I have found some of the pathways to a meaningful retirement.  The introvert in me is happy.  This time has enabled me to reflect and sort my life’s experiences.  I have a fuller understanding of who I am and the decisions that make up my life’s journey.  The introvert in me is feeling content and satisfied overall.  I have a deeper sense of accomplishment and pride in who I’ve become.

Moreover, the joiner in me is also happy in my new communities.  While our communities change as we age, they are no less important to our well-being, maybe especially so in retirement. Our need for that sense of acceptance, belonging, and purpose remain strong.  I am still exploring and discovering all this now that I have one year of retirement under my belt. Overcoming my shyness and meeting my need for social connection continues to motivate my retirement pathway.  With any luck, and the help of my orthopedic doctor, I will continue to enjoy this journey for many years ahead.

The post The Journey of Our Whole Self in Community appeared first on United Church Homes.

KENNESAW, GA (June 22, 2026)— United Church Homes announces that its Laurel’s Edge affordable housing community in Kennesaw, Georgia, has received support from the Cobb EMC Foundation to enhance resident safety and accessibility through the expansion of a key outdoor walking path.

Laurel’s Edge, located at 3950 Frey Road NW, Kennesaw, serves approximately 250 individuals and families within the Cobb EMC service district. The community is dedicated to transforming aging, advancing the mission of United Church Homes to create abundant life in community.

The funded project will widen an existing sidewalk that currently presents safety and accessibility challenges for residents who use walkers or wheelchairs. At present, the path is too narrow to allow for safe passing or turning, limiting residents’ ability to comfortably enjoy outdoor spaces together.

Because widening the sidewalks is the community’s highest priority, the project will proceed in phases. Funding received from the Cobb EMC Foundation will first be directed toward expanding the walking path to improve safety and accessibility for residents. United Church Homes plans to pursue additional grant support and other funding sources to complete the remaining outdoor enhancements, including patio improvements and gathering spaces, with the goal of finishing the full project as soon as possible.

In addition to the sidewalk improvements, future plans include new concrete pads to support expanded outdoor activity and social engagement, including a 10-by-10 seating area adjacent to a horseshoe pit and improved accessible entry to a covered patio. These enhancements are designed to promote mobility, encourage exercise and create more opportunities for residents to gather and connect with one another.

The community also wishes to recognize Frank Roth, a dedicated volunteer whose efforts helped bring the horseshoe pit to Laurel’s Edge. His contribution has provided residents with an enjoyable outdoor recreation space and inspired the vision for additional gathering areas around the amenity.

“Projects like this reflect our deep commitment to dignity, independence and community for every resident we serve,” said Ken Young, chief executive officer of United Church Homes. “By improving accessibility and safety in shared outdoor spaces, we are helping ensure older adults can move freely, connect with one another and fully enjoy the places they call home.”

“This investment directly responds to the voices of our residents, more than 10 of whom have requested a safer and more inclusive walking path,” said Gloria Hurwitz, vice president of advancement. “When we listen and respond with thoughtful design improvements, we strengthen both health outcomes and the sense of belonging that makes Laurel’s Edge such a special community.”

The project will include grading, removal of soil and installation of 4-inch broom-finish concrete to expand the existing path and improve accessibility throughout the property.

United Church Homes and Laurel’s Edge extend their gratitude to the Cobb EMC Foundation for its partnership and continued investment in the well-being of residents and families throughout the region.

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 For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2025 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve.

The post United Church Homes’ Laurel’s Edge Affordable Housing Community in Kennesaw Receives Support from Cobb EMC Foundation for Walking Path Expansion appeared first on United Church Homes.

Recently, in a season that has felt like a series of in-between spaces, my husband and I found ourselves surrounded by familiar faces—LGBTQ+ friends who, at one time, held pieces of our stories in a key season of life.

These were people we had done life with. People we stood beside as they got married and adopted children, and who later stood beside us—with those same children—at our own wedding.

People who had known us in a particular chapter. People who had shared in the work of becoming—of navigating identity, calling, belonging, and faith in spaces that did not always make room for all of who we were.

And as we stood together again, something stirred.

Not just because of where we were…
but because of who we were with.

Because these were the people.

The ones who had been there in a season when a particular community had brought us together—when we were all finding our way, discovering what it meant to belong, and learning how to hold faith and identity in the same breath.

And as we stepped into that space together again, there was that quiet, almost disorienting feeling of recognition—as if something in us remembered before we had fully caught up to it.

We were there to be present for a dear friend and colleague in ministry as he brought his time in that community to a close. But we were also there because these relationships mattered to us—because they had shaped us in ways that still linger, even after time and distance.

And as the morning unfolded, something unexpected happened.

We were welcomed.

Not in the formal, “please sign the guest book” kind of way. But in the deeper way—through eye contact that lingers just a second longer, through a smile that says I remember you, through the quiet recognition that reaches past time and distance and gently says, you still belong here.

And something in me softened.

Because in that moment, I was reminded that community is not always something we maintain the way we intend to. There are seasons when we mean to reach out, to stay connected, to show up… and life simply gets full.

Not because anything has been lost, but because life has a way of gently shifting our rhythms without us noticing.

And yet, there is something almost overwhelming about realizing how much we need those connections when we find ourselves back in their presence again.

Part of what made that morning so meaningful was not only being present—but being ministered to.

Our friend stood to preach one final time in that space—and it mattered that it was him. That it was them. That this was a story we had, in some way, lived alongside.

As he spoke, you could feel it—the weight of the years, the shared experiences, the sacred intersections of identity, calling, and belonging. This wasn’t just a sermon. It was a testimony of what it means to be seen and to be welcomed as your full self.

He spoke about the call he and his husband felt—the quiet but persistent nudge of the Spirit that led them there. He spoke about what it meant not only to be called, but to be welcomed… not in spite of who they were, but fully, openly, and without condition.

He named the intersections of life that were formed in that season—the friendships, the shared work, the moments that didn’t seem significant at the time but somehow became sacred. And in that naming, he lifted up those who had helped shape that journey—including Pastor Ali, who in her own quiet and faithful way had gently encouraged many of us as we stepped into our own becoming in ministry.

And he spoke honestly about a church that chose courage… a church that didn’t have all the answers, but was willing to grow, to stretch, and to become a more open and affirming home.

And more than that, it was a story of a community that chose to be the Good Samaritan.

A community that did not pass by.
A community that did not look away.
A community that stopped… even when it was uncomfortable…
drew near… even when it required something of them…
and made room.

It was not a perfect story.

But it was a brave one.

And as I sat there, surrounded by people who had once held such meaningful parts of my story, I realized I was not just witnessing his goodbye.

I was remembering what it feels like to be held in connection.

And as a gay pastor preparing to begin my first call to serve a church in the United Church of Christ, this moment held even more weight.

To sit in a space where a friend—alongside his husband—could speak openly about call, about belonging, about being fully welcomed into the life of a church… it was more than meaningful. It was encouraging in a way that reached deeper than words.

Because this is not just part of my story.
It is the story I am stepping into.

And to witness it lived out—to see a church choose welcome, to see a community choose presence, to see faith and identity not in conflict but held together with care—was a reminder that this kind of community is possible and does exist in many areas.

And that it matters.

As we step into Pride Month, I find myself holding that experience a little closer.

Because for many of us within LGBTQ+ communities, connection is not just a nice idea. It is something we search for. Fight for. Sometimes even grieve when it is absent.

To be known.
To be welcomed.
To be remembered.

These are not small things.

They are life-giving things.

And when they happen—even unexpectedly—they don’t just feel nice…
they restore something in us we didn’t realize had grown quiet.

In the work of abundant aging, we often talk about connection as essential to well-being. That as we age, meaningful relationships are what sustain us, shape us, and remind us who we are.

But perhaps it is important to remember that regardless of how many years we have lived, we are all aging. We are all moving through seasons of life—through beginnings and endings, through becoming and releasing, through moments of deep connection and moments of distance.

And maybe part of that sacred work is this: not only seeking connection, but becoming it.

Becoming the kind of people who notice.
Becoming the kind of people who draw near.
Becoming the kind of people who refuse to pass by.

Because connection is not only about who is present with us today.

It is also about the people who have held pieces of our story over time.

The friendships that shaped us.
The people who, even after time and distance, still recognize something true about who we are.

And perhaps abundance is found not in how many connections we maintain perfectly—but in the quiet, persistent grace of knowing that some connections endure.

That sometimes, we can return.

And sometimes, we are invited to be the reason someone else can.

And in that holy work, we just might find ourselves becoming the community we need.

For Reflection:

As you sit with this story, I invite you to pause—not just to think, but to feel.

When was the last time you found yourself in the presence of people who truly knew you—and what did that awaken within you?

How has your understanding of community changed as life has carried you through different seasons?

Are there relationships that once gave you life that you feel a quiet pull toward even now?

And who are the people who have held your story—who saw you, welcomed you, and made room for you to belong?

As you reflect, I gently invite you to consider this:

Where might you be called not only to seek community—but to become it?

Who around you might be waiting to be noticed?
To be met with presence instead of distance?
To experience a space where they can finally belong?

Because abundance is not found in what we hold onto—but in the connections we are willing to tend, the courage we are willing to embody, and the welcome we are willing to extend.

And in doing so, we may just become part of something that gives life—again and again.

The post Becoming The Community We Need appeared first on United Church Homes.

United Church Homes Receives $5,000 Grant from The McGregor Foundation to Support

Educational Programming for Older Adults at South Haven Woods

Cleveland, OH (June 11, 2026)— United Church Homes (UCH) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from The McGregor Foundation to support educational programming for low-income older adults living at South Haven Woods, a UCH affordable housing community in Bedford, Ohio. The funding will launch a new series of health, wellness and enrichment programs designed to help residents age safely, independently and with greater social connection.

South Haven Woods serves adults ages 55 and older, most of whom live on fixed incomes and face barriers to accessing reliable aging-related education. The grant will support on-site educational sessions led by healthcare professionals, aging service agencies and community partners, as well as group outings to museums, theaters and other cultural destinations. These programs will benefit nearly 60 residents, offering practical tools for healthier living while creating opportunities for meaningful social engagement.

“We are deeply grateful to The McGregor Foundation for investing in the well-being of older adults in our community,” said Dan Fagan, MPA, LSW, Vice President of Care and Housing at United Church Homes. “Educational programs like these empower residents with knowledge, connection and confidence—key ingredients for aging with dignity and independence.”

The educational series will address topics such as:

• Chronic disease management
• Physical wellness and fall prevention
• Mental and cognitive health
• Social isolation and community connection
• End-of-life planning and decision-making

The grant will also fund transportation for multiple group outings, helping reduce isolation and making cultural experiences more accessible for residents who may not have other means to participate.

Founded in 1916, United Church Homes provides affordable housing, healthcare and supportive services to thousands of older adults across 15 states and two tribal nations. South Haven Woods offers HUD-subsidized housing with onsite resident service coordination, connecting residents to resources that support physical, emotional and social well-being.

The McGregor Foundation’s support strengthens UCH’s long-standing commitment to prevention-focused, person-centered services that help older adults remain independent and engaged in their communities.

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For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2025 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve. As a founding member of Radiant Alliance, United Church Homes continues to lead the way in shaping the future of senior living. 

The post United Church Homes Receives $5,000 Grant from The McGregor Foundation to Support Educational Programming for Older Adults at South Haven Woods appeared first on United Church Homes.

Research now suggests social isolation contributes to an estimated 100 deaths per hour globally. The mortality impact of isolation is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Isolation increases risks for heart disease, stroke, cancer mortality, chronic stress, depression and even accelerated aging!  And while we generally presume loneliness is an issue among older adults, younger generations are now reporting some of the highest rates of loneliness and disconnection—thanks to our cell phones.

Folks, we were never meant to live this way.

From the very beginning of creation, Scripture reminds us of this truth. In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Community was not an afterthought in God’s design for humanity—it was foundational. We were created to live in relationship with God and with one another.

And yet, isolation has become normalized.

We fill our calendars, scroll endlessly, work remotely and stay digitally connected while often remaining emotionally disconnected. But no amount of online interaction can replace the deep human need to belong, to be known, and to walk through life alongside others.

As a person of faith and a communications professional working in aging services, I see every day how deeply community matters—not just emotionally or spiritually, but physically. People flourish when they are connected. They live with greater purpose, resilience, joy and hope when they know someone sees them, loves them and walks beside them.

Scripture repeatedly points us back to this reality. Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us, “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Community strengthens us. Protects us. Grounds us.

We were never intended to journey alone. In 1 Peter, we are warned that the enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Predators isolate before they attack. Isolation weakens us emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Even Jesus modeled community. He could have carried out His earthly ministry alone, yet He chose disciples, shared meals, traveled together, and taught people in community. The early church in Acts devoted themselves not only to teaching and prayer, but to fellowship. Christianity has never been intended as a solitary faith.

Community, however, shapes us.

It teaches us patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, accountability and love. Proverbs says, “Iron sharpens iron.” None of us can fully become who God created us to be apart from other people. Even the call of the Christian life reflects this truth: Love God. Love people. Make disciples. Only one of those can be done alone.

When I reflect on my own life, aside from simply being with my husband and son around our kitchen table, laughing, talking and planning life together, the deepest joys and strongest relationships have almost always come through community rooted in faith. Through church. Through serving together. Through worship teams, mission trips, church camps, Sunday School classes and shared ministry experiences.

Some of my closest lifelong friendships were formed not simply by attending church, but by serving shoulder to shoulder with others. There is something powerful about shared purpose. You pray together. Carry burdens together. Laugh together. Show up for one another in times of grief and celebration.

And some of the deepest conversations of my life happened late at night after church camp worship services, on long van rides in foreign countries during mission trips, or while preparing to lead others in worship.

Even now, some of the moments I treasure most are simple ones—like planning a trip to Nashville this summer with a group of women from church to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Those friendships matter deeply to me because they were built over years of shared life, faith, trust and presence.

Honestly, I often wonder where folks find this kind of community apart from the church.

In aging services, we often see how quickly isolation can impact overall well-being. The loss of a spouse, retirement, health challenges, transportation barriers or distance from family can slowly shrink someone’s world. But we also see the opposite: older adults who flourish because they remain connected to purpose, friendship, worship, volunteering, learning, and service. Community does not stop mattering as we age—it becomes even more essential.

Community is not weakness.
Needing people is not failure.
And investing in relationships is never frivolous.

It is part of how God designed us to live.

In a culture that increasingly celebrates independence and self-sufficiency, perhaps one of the most courageous things we can do is admit we need one another. Because we do. We always have.

And by God’s perfect design, we always will.

The post Community Was Never Optional appeared first on United Church Homes.

The People We Meet Each Day: Proximity

My mother taught kindergarten early in her career. Sesame Street became a significant cultural touchstone for our family.  Even though I was older than its original target audience, sometimes a Sesame Street song comes to mind. Community prompts one such ear worm.

Bob was the one originally singing “People in Your Neighborhood” with a parade of puppets as they walked down the street. Each verse introduced someone different—a grocer, librarian, teacher, baker, or mail carrier—answering the question, Who are the people in your neighborhood? The chorus returns to the same answer: “the people that you meet each day.” There is an element of being in proximity to others that is important, even when we don’t know much else about each other.

Some of those we meet each day are mere acquaintances. We recognize each other even if we don’t know each other’s name. I think of the grocery store employee who watches over the self-checkout lanes and says “hello” when he comes to fix one of my recurring scanning errors. As he smiles in recognition I hope he is not thinking, “here she comes again!” The postal carrier, seasonal “scooper” at the ice cream shop, the kid repeatedly racing down the block on a scooter: these relationships may be casual, but they still matter. Repeated contact helps to connect us and research shows that these are not insignificant elements of community.

Shared Purpose Builds Connection

Some of our community’s concentric circles of support happen without much effort on our part. These are related to not only proximity, but shared purpose. Work can create meaningful ties through regular contact connecting us with our co-workers, even if we are not close friends away from the office. Parenting often introduces us to other parents living through similar schedules and challenges. Faith communities, social and civic groups are also places where relationships grow through a common purpose. When previous patterns for meeting people fade, we have to become more proactive in populating our own communities of support. And trust me, as an introvert, I know that is easier said than done.

We cannot assume these networks will simply maintain themselves. We need to be intentional about defining and participating in the communities that support us. That can be especially hard after a move, after retirement, after children leave home, or whenever the patterns that once connected us begin to change.

Professionals in the Circle

In addition to those we meet on a regular basis, there are those whose professional expertise is key to our well-being. Doctors, dentists, and other health professionals are part of this circle within our community of support. They know the details of our care in ways that friends and family cannot and yet we develop personal connection with them as they get to know us in our own authentic self.

Who Helps With Real Life?

Then there are the people who we trust for practical help. Who do you call when you need a ride to the airport? Who can accompany you to a medical procedure? Who can get you to urgent care after an unexpected kitchen mishap (hypothetically speaking, of course)?  These are not abstract questions nor are these needs usually served by the same people. Thinking about these questions helps reveal whether our support network is broad enough for real life.

Joe Coughlin, director of MIT’s AgeLab, has a set of questions for those who are retired: Who will change my light bulbs? How will I get an ice cream cone? Who will I have lunch with? Those questions point to several essential kinds of support: help with home maintenance, transportation, and companionship. In other words, our communities of support need to include those who can help with everyday practical activities.

The Closest Circle

Finally, the closest circle of our community networks that we need to tend are those with whom we are most intimate. These are the people whom we trust the most.  They know and love us, warts and all. These may be the people we someday rely on for care and decision-making if we can no longer manage those things ourselves.

It is important to talk now with the people you hope to include in your inner circle of support. A colleague said recently that he realized if something happened to his spouse, there was no one else he felt comfortable calling on for real support. None of us knows what lies ahead, but a little “what if” thinking can help us identify who we need in our network.

The closer circles within our network know our preferences. They know what flavor ice cream we want and how we define a “good day”. They know our short-comings and strengths and what is most important to us. These individuals may be an offspring, a sibling, or best friend. They may include those with whom we have shared a significant portion of our life or be a more recent friend. Regardless, we have to tend to the trust and care that form the bond between us.

Taking Inventory of Your Community

Who are the people in the network that forms your community? They need to include the range of relationships from the people that you meet each day, to those who have known you for many years, even if you only see each other occasionally. They include professionals, friends and family–both of birth and those who you choose to support you. And our community includes the connections with those who we merely recognize along the way.

May you take some time to inventory your community networks. Challenge yourself to strengthen those circles that are thin. Look around and find ways to connect with others who encourage your personal growth, your well-being and who strengthen your community of support.

The post The Concentric Circles of Communities appeared first on United Church Homes.

In the case of my 79-year-old mother, the answer was no.

While helping my sister pack for a move, she decided to climb a painter’s ladder to clean high kitchen cabinets. One missed step changed everything. She fell—and soon after, she was headed into surgery for a shattered hip.

For years, I had warned her: one bad fall can be life-changing. But like many older adults, she felt confident in her independence and didn’t think twice about climbing that ladder.

Before the fall, she was fiercely independent. Today, she relies on a walker and other assistive devices to complete everyday tasks.

Her story is not unique.

Why Fall Prevention Matters for Older Adults

Each year, over 14 million Americans age 65 and older fall, representing about 1 in 4 seniors. Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults, resulting in:

• Over 3 million emergency room visits annually
• More than 1 million hospitalizations
• A significantly higher risk of falling again—the chance doubles after the first fall

These numbers highlight why fall prevention at home is critical for maintaining independence, safety, and quality of life.

Practical Fall Prevention Tips for Home Safety

While not all falls can be prevented, there are many proven ways to reduce fall risk in seniors:

• Review Medications Regularly
  • Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blood pressure changes. Regular medication reviews with a doctor or pharmacist are essential.
• Encourage Strength and Balance Exercises
  • Activities like walking, chair exercises, and Tai Chi for fall prevention can improve stability, coordination, and confidence.
• Schedule Annual Vision Checks
  • Keeping prescriptions up to date helps identify trip hazards more easily and reduces fall risk.
• Improve Home Safety
  • Simple home modifications can make a big difference:
    • Remove clutter and secure loose rugs
    • Keep walkways clear
    • Increase lighting and use night-lights

• Install Safety Features
  • Grab bars in bathrooms
  • Handrails on both sides of stairs
  • Non-slip mats in showers and wet areas
• Wear Proper Footwear
  • Choose non-slip, well-fitting shoes instead of slippers, socks alone, or worn-out footwear.
• Use Assistive Devices Correctly
  • Walkers, canes, and other mobility aids should be within reach and used as recommended.
• Move Slowly and Mindfully
  • Standing up too quickly can cause dizziness, especially for those with low blood pressure.
• Avoid Climbing
  • Keep frequently used items within easy reach to eliminate the need for ladders, stools, or chairs.
• Talk About Falls Openly
  • If a fall or near-fall happens, discuss it. Early conversations can prevent more serious injuries.

A Final Thought on Preventing Falls at Home

Even with the best fall prevention strategies, accidents can still happen. But in my mother’s case, increased awareness and safety precautions could have reduced her risk.

These conversations matter.

We must continue to talk openly and often with our aging loved ones—not to take away their independence, but to protect it for as long as possible.

Because ultimately, fall prevention isn’t about limiting life—it’s about preserving it.

Need help, but want to stay at home? Check out NaviGuide!

Find a United Church Homes senior living community near you!

by: Kim Yoder, MSW – UCH Engage Program Director

Stay Connected and Live Life Abundantly

The post Fall Prevention for Seniors at Home: Tips to Reduce Risk and Stay Independent appeared first on United Church Homes.

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My final semester of college was filled with celebrations, heartfelt goodbyes, and reflection. During my last weeks at school, my fraternity held a candle-pass where seniors shared favorite memories and thanked the people who had shaped their experience. As my brothers went around the circle and reflected on our time together, I realized I had made an impact and built friendships that would last beyond college. Those final weeks gave me a chance to look back on everything that had led me to graduation. Although I felt deeply grateful, I have never been someone who loves endings. I was leaving behind close friends, the organizations I had poured myself into, and a daily life that had come to feel like home. I did not realize it at the time, but the transition would be more complicated than a clean break. I continued visiting my college friends and saw that life on campus went on without me. I was still connected to my people, but I was no longer part of their everyday rhythm. It was time to find a new home. I came to understand that I would have many homes throughout my life, and I felt grateful to have many meaningful places rather than just one.

Over four years, I had built a life at school and an identity I valued. I wondered what would happen when I no longer had the friends, responsibilities, and routines I was used to. In leaving, I gained a deeper appreciation for the community and culture that had shaped me.

During that season of reflection, I had to trust that I had made the right choices and created a college experience I would remember with gratitude rather than regret. I also had to trust my ability to move forward with grace, even when it was difficult. Listening to others share their own transitions reminded me that I was not alone in what I was feeling.

Neutral Zone

This is a period I am still in: a time of deciding who I am becoming and what matters most to me right now. Do I want to continue on the path I have been following, or grow into something more? I have always been driven by passion and people, and I care deeply about cultivating community. College strengthened that part of me, but it also revealed how it can sometimes hinder me; I often care too much. Even so, I hope this process of becoming never ends. I want to be someone committed to growth. Now that I am one year post-graduation, what has mattered most in this middle period is personal growth. In college, I was often focused on classes, organizations, and work, and my own development came second. Now that I have more time to focus on myself, I feel I better understand my identity, my place in the world, and the ways I want to contribute to a healthier community and culture.

Trusting time has been my greatest anchor in this middle period. Growth does not happen overnight, and change requires patience as much as effort. I remind myself that life can shift quickly, but it can also take time to see progress. Welcoming each day as a new opportunity helps me keep moving forward without rushing my own timeline.

New Beginnings

Although my next chapter is still unwritten, I am envisioning what I want for myself and the next period of my life. Overall, I want happiness, spontaneity, and community. Even if I do not yet know exactly what my future will look like, I am learning to welcome each day with openness and trust. There is comfort in knowing that my story is still being written, and that with each new day comes the possibility of unexpected growth, connection, and opportunity. Rather than fearing what I cannot yet see, I want to embrace the unknown with hope, believing that new beginnings do not always arrive all at once, but often reveal themselves in small moments, choices, and chances to move forward.

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Friday, July 24 at Beavercreek Golf Club

in Support of Trinity Communities of Greater Dayton and Longfellow Commons Community

Join us for the most fun day of the year on the beautiful Beavercreek Golf Club. Enjoy drinks, food, prizes, golf and a reception!

FEATURING: a raffle, tournament and challenge prizes,
fantastic HOLE-IN-ONE prizes and a lunch buffet.

Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m.
*BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Try your luck on the “Closer To The Pin Challenge” with CEO/President, Ken Young. Hope you can join us!

WHEN: July 24, 2026 @ 9:00 AM Shotgun Start

WHERE: Beavercreek Golf Club, 2800 New Germany-Trebein Rd. | Beavercreek, OH 45432

SIGN UP TODAY!

WANT TO BE A SPONSOR?

Sponsoring the UCH Golf Outing gets you many perks…
UCH Golf Outing Sponsorship Flyer 2026

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