“An ‘A’ rating from one of the nation’s major rating agencies is a significant achievement,” says Lisa Henning, executive director at Grand Lodge at the Preserve. “At a time when some continuing care retirement communities across the country are struggling financially, our ‘A’ rating is an important indicator of our financial strength
and stability.”

Tax-Exempt Bond Offering
The “A” bond rating allows Lifespace Communities, a not-for-profit organization, to raise capital more easily, with lower financing and debt costs. “We can meet our capital/construction needs in the future on more favorable terms,” Henning says. “That’s advantageous for our residents, who benefit from the capital improvements.”

The upcoming tax exempt bond offering allows for reinvestment and innovation at the communities. At Grand Lodge at the Preserve, such innovation recently resulted in a new Independent Plus program, which delivers assistance to residents in their homes.

“Independent Plus is ideal when residents need some TLC,” Henning says, “whether they’re recuperating from a hospital stay, the flu, a fall or anything that slows them down.” In-home services include meal preparation; help with dressing and grooming, medication reminders and wellness checks.

“We continue to innovate and reinvest in the community, enhancing the quality of life for all our residents,” Henning says. “As a result, our occupancy has remained consistent in spite of the economy. This was another factor in our ‘A’ rating.”

According to Fitch, the rating reflects Lifespace Communities’ light debt and strong debt service coverage, capital spending and revenue. It’s also based on the diverse locations of the 11 senior living communities, located in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Highest-Rated System Provider
With multiple continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the country, Lifespace Communities is considered a “system provider.” According to Jim LeBuhn, Fitch senior director, “Within the Fitch portfolio of rated credits, there is no system rated higher than Lifespace Communities.”

“We encourage seniors to scrutinize this kind of information before joining a community,” Henning says. “We want them to know that their community is a safe, sound investment.”

All 11 Lifespace communities are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CARF-CCAC). Only 15% of communities nationally have received this accreditation, which recognizes the highest standards in administration, finance, care and services to seniors.

Lifespace Communities, Inc. is a nationally recognized not-for-profit leader providing an active lifestyle to more than 4,500 seniors residing in 11 communities in seven states. Founded in 1976, the company’s mission is to create and sustain communities celebrating the limitless possibilities in the lives of seniors. For more information, visit www.lifespacecommunities.com and www.grandlodgeatthepreserve.com.

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Located in southeast Lincoln, ProActive is the city’s first medically based health, fitness and wellness facility. “This is an ideal partnership for our senior residents,” says Lisa Henning, executive director of Grand Lodge at the Preserve. “We offer a unique Fitsix Wellness program, which addresses the six dimensions of wellness: physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and vocational. ProActive’s program matches this holistic approach.”

With Madonna’s expertise in the therapeutic and medical rehabilitation fields, ProActive goes beyond a typical fitness center. It offers two indoor swimming pools, three whirlpools, an aqua track, circuit training equipment and state-of-the-art equipment for cardiovascular health. Also, classes include yoga, aquatic, dance, journaling and others of particular interest to seniors.

“ProActive’s programs and facility are designed to focus on the need of each individual,” says Heith Wilkinson, ProActive general manager. “By considering an individual’s lifestyle, as well as health history, personal preferences and goals, we help the residents at Grand Lodge do all the things in life they want to do.”

New residents of Grand Lodge receive a complimentary membership to ProActive for a year, and current residents receive half off their monthly membership. ProActive hours for Grand Lodge residents are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and any open hours on the weekend. “This provides our residents with personal attention when the facility has lower usage,” Henning says.

With their membership, residents receive three meetings upon enrollment – two with a trainer and one with ProActive’s member coach. “The member coach reviews the wellness assessments given to the residents on enrollment,” Henning says.

In addition to general membership, ProActive also offers Structured Independence, available to patients undergoing therapy through Madonna’s outpatient services clinics. This provides exercise with the support of clinically trained physical and occupational therapists nearby. “The goal is to help individuals improve and maintain their health gains,” Wilkinson says.

“This goal is important to both ProActive and Grand Lodge,” says Henning. “We share a commitment to helping our residents enjoy an active, independent lifestyle. Through this partnership, we can offer even greater wellness benefits.”

Grand Lodge at the Preserve is the only senior living community in Nebraska accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CARF-CCAC). Only 15% of communities nationally have received this accreditation, which recognizes the highest standards in administration, finance, care and services to seniors.

Grand Lodge is owned by Lifespace Communities, Inc., headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Lifespace Communities is a nationally recognized not-for-profit leader with 2,500 employees providing an active lifestyle to more than 4,500 seniors residing in 11 communities in seven states. Founded in 1976, the company’s mission is to create and sustain communities celebrating the limitless possibilities in the lives of seniors.

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For more information:
Pam Carlson
Marketing Director
Grand Lodge at the Preserve
402.489.8003
pam.carlson@lifespacecommunities.com

Katy Martin
Membership Manager
ProActive
402-486-7796
kmartin@madonna.org

“Our new corporate name and brand has been more than 30 years in the making and is grounded in what really matters to today’s seniors. While we have been delivering the full engagement and independence that seniors demand, we found that our former identity didn’t communicate our complete offering to our target audience,” said Scott Harrison, Lifespace Communities CEO.

“Our experience and research show that seniors want to enjoy the good things in life, have freedom from logistics and feel secure in their financial future. They want opportunities to make connections, explore self-expression, wellness and personal growth while giving back to the community. Lifespace encapsulates all these concepts in our new brand,” said Harrison.

The organization’s new name change includes a corporate identity system that adds “A Lifespace Community” to each well-established local community name and standardizes the design of all the organization’s facilities to create a consistent look.

The development of the new Lifespace Communities brand and identity included extensive market research and interviews with industry experts, residents, prospective residents and community leaders.

Research showed that seniors are more demanding about quality, choices and control. They want options, flexibility, lifestyle amenities and the ability to participate in decision-making in their retirement communities. Personal and specialized activities rather than group activities are in higher demand and seniors are interested in lifelong learning, community and retail services along with guest and family-friendly facilities.

“At Lifespace Communities we are answering the consumer demands of the baby boomer generation which includes being more resident-centered and providing more social connections,” said Harrison. “We have always maintained the highest customer service standards at our communities and that continues to be one of the top priorities for seniors. With a staff of 2,000 serving 4,500 residents, we can and do provide the best in customer service and quality health care for seniors.”

Lifespace Communities, Inc. is the seventh largest provider of not-for-profit senior independent living communities in the U.S. Founded in 1976, the organization owns and manages a network of 11 Lifespace communities in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Pennsylvania and is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Residents number more than 4,500 and the organization employs a staff of 2,000.

Mr. Epp is chair and president of LawrenceDouglas County Biosciences Authority in Lawrence, Kansas. Previously, Mr. Epp was president of Bethel College and founding principal and CEO of Retirement Management Company. He has a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Nebraska and is a member of the Kansas Bar Association.

Before his retirement, Mr. Kehm was a partner with KPMG and prior to 2002, Arthur Andersen. He has a B.S. in Business Administration and Master of Arts in Accounting from the University of Nebraska and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

“We are very fortunate to have two such qualified candidates for our board of directors. Each brings a world of experiences that will continue to steer LCRC as a premier leader in the senior living field.” said Scott M. Harrison, President and CEO. Life Care Retirement Communities, Inc.(LCRC) is a nationally recognized, nonprofit leader providing services to more than 4,500 seniors residing in 11 continuing care retirement communities, Located in seven states; Florida ,Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania; and with over 2,000 employees, LCRC is the seventh largest nonprofit provider in the United States. Founded in 1976, our mission is to create and sustain communities celebrating the lives of seniors.