Blog Posts

The lobby of Plush Mills was recently transformed into a mini-antique store and gift bazaar when six local residents brought in vintage collectibles and new gift items to sell. This was not only an opportunity for residents, neighbors and staff to shop in convenience, but also a perfect chance for visitors to see what Plush Mills is all about. Plush Mills ran a shuttle service for those who had to park in the office lot next door. Several shoppers went on tours, and everyone loved the hot coffee and special treats that were available all day.

There were many oohs and aahhs over the beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby.

We plan to make this will become an annual holiday tradition!

A vintage sale will be held Saturday, December 5 from 9 to 2 at Plush Mills Senior Living in Wallingford. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Said organizer Jennifer Reynolds of Rose Valley, “This will be the third time we’ve had a sale like this. Our last sale several years ago was very popular, and people have been asking us to hold another one. Plush Mills very generously made their lobby available to us, and we are thrilled to be in this beautiful place.”

Vendors from Rose Valley and Wallingford will offer a variety of vintage items: linens, books, accessories, jewelry, toys, pottery, books, and more. For a shabby chic touch this holiday season, potted paperwhites in mismatched pieces of old crockery will also be available.

Plush Mills is at 501 Plush Mill Road in Wallingford, between the Community Art Center and Springfield Mall. For more information, contact Jennifer Reynolds at 484 904 6722 or Plush Mills at 610 690 1630. 

A dozen people attended the recent family education group on "Talking Through Tough Medical Issues." Everyone agreed that while modern medicine has worked many miracles, the downside is that end-of-life care often becomes complicated and protracted. Families can be shattered by disagreements over when enough is enough. If a patient is comatose, heavily drugged or unable to speak (i.e. on a ventilator), it becomes extremely difficult – sometimes impossible - to know what his or her wishes are. The group vividly recalled the public nightmare experienced by the family of Terry Schiavo, on life support for years while her husband and parents squabbled over what her wishes would be.

Dr. Jacobs and fellow speaker Mary Ann Mower, a Family Medicine resident at Delaware County Memorial Hospital, strongly made the point that advance directives are an essential document for any adult – particularly those who are elderly or infirm – in order to avoid a Schiavo-like situation and bring peace and cooperation to a family.

An advance directive is a written document that you may use, under certain circumstances, to tell others what care you would like to receive or not receive, should you become unable to express your wishes at some time in the future. An advance directive is often referred to as a “living will.” In Pennsylvania, a living will is known, according to the law, as an advance directive for health care.

This may be the most important piece of paper in your life. If you’ve already written one, where is it? Do your relatives all have copies? What about your physician? It’s fine to keep the original in your safe deposit box, but as Ms. Mower pointed out, it is crucial to have one in an obvious spot in your home as well.

If you have not yet written your living will, help is readily available online at sites like this: http://www.aging.state.pa.us/aging/lib/aging/advance_directives_brochure... or www.caringinfo.com

Or you can hire an elder law attorney who will help you draft and complete a living will.

In a lively, wide-ranging, and informative discussion, the group shared stories from their own experiences and asked specific questions of Dr. Jacobs and Ms. Mower. Ms. Mower gave specific examples of what kinds of questions come up in the hospital setting. She explained that yes, you can change your mind. If your advance directive says one thing but you decide, while hospitalized, to make another decision, your latest judgment will be the ruling judgment – assuming you are of sound mind. Attendees shared personal stories and experiences in a supportive, non-judgmental setting.

Dr. Jacobs is a clinical psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Center for Family Health in Springfield, PA and author of "The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers-Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent" (www.emotionalsurvivalguide.com).

Dr. Jacobs will continue his regular family education group at Plush Mills early in the New Year. Stay tuned for exact dates, times, and topics.  

For a group of venerable veterans of the US armed forces, Veterans Day was time to roll back the calendar to the glory days of “the Greatest Generation.” Staff of Plush Mills Senior Living in Wallingford turned the lobby and lounge of the retirement community into a USO canteen, complete with coffee and donuts served by WACs in uniform. A number of residents displayed their medals and memorabilia, and shared war stories of their experiences (or their spouse’s) during World War II and the Korean War. The soundtrack was provided first by records of the swing era, then by a rousing singalong of patriotic songs.

Plush Mills resident Mel Mowbray was a member of the Merchant Marine during World War II. One of his keepsakes of the era is a caricature of him as a young officer, literally on top of the world.

Plush Mills resident 'Mac' MacDonald enlisted in the US Marines at age 18, and spent more than three years overseas in combat. He was wounded twice, the second time during the Marine battle of Iwo Jima. Mac was freshly enlisted when the photo of him was taken in front of his barracks at boot camp.

Barry Jacobs, Psy.D. will continue his monthly family education group at Plush Mills Wednesday November 11 at 7 PM in the main lobby. All are invited to attend the discussion. The topic for the evening will be "Talking Through Tough Medical Issues," addressing end of life and other pressing medical and emotional concerns.  

Dr. Jacobs is a clinical psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Center for Family Health in Springfield, PA and author of "The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers-Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent" (www.emotionalsurvivalguide.com). 

Photos continue to arrive from the Halloween festivites. Enjoy!

Plush Mills residents, family, friends, and employees gathered Saturday to celebrate Halloween. Attendees, ranging in age from 1 to 100, were sporting some prize-worthy costumes and enjoyed string bands, face painting, candy and games.

Who knew that pirates were so graceful on the dance floor?

Or that clowns were such talented make-up artists?

Elmo's red fur was matched by the color of a Phillies fan's T-shirt.

Plush Mills recently celebrated Oktoberfest, with all the trimmings and traditions of the nearly 200 year old Munich festival. Residents enjoyed the spirited rhythmic sounds provided by the Media German Oompah Band and a German styled dinner that followed, featuring "Zwiebelhuhnchenbrust" - grilled chicken breast in creamy onion sauce. The staple of Oktoberfest, beer, was also available to all.Residents, family and staff thoroughly enjoyed the sounds, food, drink and each other’s company at this year’s Oktoberfest celebration. 

Residents Al Tischler and Mary Johnson enjoying themselves at the Oktoberfest party.

The Media German Oompah Band after their performance, enjoying a frothy Oktoberfest specialty.  

When Brad Brown visited his mom, Plush Mills Resident Billie Minisci, to see her recent paintings on exhibit, he happened to strike up a conversation with another resident, Doc Hooper. This fortuitous chat involved Doc Hooper’s long ago win at the 1942 Penn Relay track meet. Hooper was part of the Villanova Men’s Championship 4x400 team that year. At the time, metal was in short supply – it was all earmarked for the war effort - and the traditional practice of giving winners the coveted Penn Relay prize wristwatches had to be suspended. Doc Hooper has always felt wistful about that wristwatch that wasn’t.

Brad happens to be friends with David Johnson, Director of the Penn Relays, so he gave him a call to discuss the situation. And recently, we turned back the hands of time and held a celebration in our lobby, during which Doc Hooper received the long-awaited watch.

Director of the Penn Relays Dave Johnson and current Villanova Track and Field Coach Marcus O’Sullivan came to Plush Mills to honor Doc Hooper and his teammate Dixie Dunbar with official Penn Relays watches. The two standout runners were among the first track athletes recruited by legendary Villanova coach Jumbo Elliott.

Both men were thankful and appreciative for the Penn Relays watches, along with the Villanova Track and Field shirts they received, the specially decorated cakes, and the commemorative poster on display. After the presentation, the two shared stories, including an opportunity they had while practicing at Penn’s track to meet and speak with the great Jesse Owens.

Penn Relays Director Dave Johnson presenting Hooper and Dunbar with their deserved watches.

Hooper and Dunbar were all smiles, sharing their memories from the track.

Plush Mills residents Amy and Fred Arimoto are native Californians who, as young adults, were interred in a camp in Colorado during World War II.  They married at the camp, and remember life in the barracks as very primitive and monotonous.  Fred became a high school chemistry teacher during this difficult time.

When the war ended, the couple moved to Illinois where Fred earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago.  They moved to the East Coast in 1951 when Fred began a career as a chemist with DuPont, and where their three children were born.  Amy is a creative knitter, and she also became skilled at making stained glass.  Fred came to share that interest, and the couple became self-taught stained glass artisans.  Fred later crafted stained glass windows for the Arimotos’ church in Newark, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

We recently displayed many examples of the Arimotos’ work in our lobby…just another example of the talent that abounds among our residents.