Army Distaff Foundation

In 2019, Knollwood hosted Akara Robotics, serving as a testing ground for their socially assistive robot "Stevie," who was featured on the cover of TIME. CEO, Conor McGinn, and Chief Robotics Officer, Niamh Donnelly, returned to Knollwood, sharing updates on their professional and personal journeys over the past four years, including the success of "Violet" their ultraviolet light cleaning robot that drastically cut hospital room cleaning times during the Covid-19 pandemic. Residents and staff were thrilled to have the Akara team back in-house and look forward to their future successes in healthcare innovation!

One Team. One Organization. One Community. One Future. When communication is the goal, there is no better way to discuss important ideas than to get everyone together in one room. That is exactly what Knollwood's Annual Meeting does. Bringing together residents, staff, and board members, in one room creates opportunities for each party to talk together, listen and connect. Our board members and, especially the chair of our board, GEN. Jack Keane, USA (Ret.), are committed to providing the highest levels of quality and care for our residents to provide the finest in healthy aging services. That includes taking time to meet with residents, hear their thanks, suggestions, and concerns. #knollwoodstrong

A core member of the sales team and a key lifeline for every new resident, Alisi Potauaine received the March Ceca Foundation award. Alisi was nominated for "going above and beyond each day at Knollwood. She is the heartbeat of the sales office wearing so many hats on any given day. Alisi is always the first to step up when there is a task to complete. You will never hear her complaining and she has a wonderful ability to bring calm into any situation. Her warm kindness to new residents extends far beyond the call of duty. Alisi makes living and working at Knollwood a pleasure." Thank you for all you do, Alisi!

Isabel Tom, MPH was an illuminating speaker. Walking the audience through her personal upbringing with her grandparents and the impact of those interactions, Tom outlined the pivotal importance of intergenerational dialogues and relationships. In addition to her book “The Value of Wrinkles” Tom has created a “Grandkid Investigator Kit” that engages children and young adults as special agents seeking to complete various missions, uncovering the histories and personal stories of their grandparents. Audience members and staff shared their fond memories as both grandparents and grandkids. Share one of your favorite memories as a grandparent or grandchild in the comments below.

After 15 years, Knollwood is saying farewell to a community icon, Kathy Byus.    Our Resident Enrichment Manager and Staff Chapel Liaison, Kathy, has impacted our residents and staff in more ways than can be counted. The attendance at her retirement party and the pictures and stories shared there paint a picture of someone who represents all the values that we hold dear: Integrity, Community, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.    We will miss Kathy as she embarks on this next step in her journey, but we're thankful for the years she has spent with us, the ways that she has gifted us through her presence, and we wish her and her family well in the experiences ahead! 

Join us for an afternoon conversation and book signing with “The Value Of Wrinkles” author, Isabel Tom, MPH. Tom has been Featured on ABC 7's Good Morning Washington, as well as numerous other shows and podcasts, including Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman and AARP’s Take on Today. The event will be on Tuesday, June 11th at 3:00PM in the Anderson Salon at Knollwood Life Plan Community.

John C. Maxwell states in his book, Developing The Leader Within You 2.0, "as a leader, the more disconnected you are from your people, the more disconnected you are from the problems." Knollwood CEO, Gary Hibbs met with residents in the first "Gab with Gary" session, to create a public forum for Q&A. Residents and staff gathered together to uncover un-asked questions and share updates on the most pressing topics and exciting news. Staff updates included welcoming our new CFO, Gladstone James, and our new Clinical Director and Assisted Living Manager, Martha McLean.

Anthony Funkhouser, P.E. is an invaluable member of the Army Distaff Foundation Board of Directors. Whether giving of his engineering know-how to help us modernize a 62-year -old facility or supporting the uniformed services and their families at our Annual Gala & Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower Awards Dinner, Tony has been a great source of support and counsel to the Army Distaff Foundation and the Knollwood Life Plan Community.

ADF is thrilled to partner with GaitBetter! Bringing innovative fall prevention technology to our residents is a critical piece of supporting them in living longer, more fulfilled lives. The GaitBetter system uses non-immersive virtual reality technology to engage the user both physically and mentally, simulating real-world challenges. By engaging residents in tailored exercises and activities, GaitBetter aims to improve executive function and enhance overall mobility, thereby reducing the risk of falls and promoting greater independence. 

Packed with stories and pictures from the community, The Bugle Call highlights life at Knollwood. It also serves as an opportunity for residents, staff, and family members to catch up on what they missed! This issue features several important highlights, including: The Knollwood show - "senior" PROM and "Adjusting To Life In The "Old Folks" Home" a resident authored story about making the last move and the pros and cons of living in the Knollwood community. https://lnkd.in/eF-q98Cv