Senior Housing and Assisted Living

When gas prices saw an all time high a few years ago, California didn’t flinch. Their stringent standards on clean fuel had the automobile industry outraged as well as car and RV owners. Now, the rest of the country is about to catch up to California. The Obama administration is stepping up and enforcing stricter fuel standards that will result in more efficient vehicles hitting the road in the next few years. The administration’s goal is to have cars reach 34.1 mpg which is about 10 mpg higher than current models.

The new vehicles will cost more to buy, but that will balance out with gas savings over the course of the first few years. The goal of creating more efficient cars is two-fold. One, it decreases our dependency on gasoline and two, it decreases the amount of air pollution in our atmosphere. With changes in place it will be as if 50 million cars were taken off the road.

The struggle to get fuel-efficient cars on the road is nothing new. In fact, it dates back to 1975 when CAFE – Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards were put in place by the US government. The goal then was to save gas for times of need. While we are still able to fill our tanks, our dependence on gasoline has not decreased much.

Owning a car is a symbol of status, but it goes deeper than that. The ability to pick up and go at will, or explore various parts of the country has been taken as a human right in the United States. For a while the most popular means of travel was the biggest vehicle on the market. When gas prices spiked, those car owners looked for smaller models and car manufacturers were scrambling to find a hybrid or similar car that would appeal to American’s needs.

The first target for the increase in fuel efficiency is passenger cars. However, RVs and trucks will be under scrutiny and several measures are being considered in regards of how to make them more fuel-efficient. One suggestion is to tax larger trucks and RVs based on a weight system. The other is to implement a cap and trade system that would mimic the one in place for corporations to control their CO2 emissions.

Designers are on board and working on new models of RVs and campers that weigh less than current designs. Using curves to increase the aerodynamic quality of the vehicle is another way to make RVing fuel-efficient.

Each of us is responsible for understanding how our vehicle usage affects air quality. With knowledge hopefully comes better choices in the types of vehicles we purchase. As hybrids become more mainstream, there should be a decrease in the purchase price. Consumers are looking for cheaper, more efficient ways of traveling and finally the automobile makers are taking notice.

As demand increases, prices for hybrids and electric vehicles will drop. Technology will improve and we stand a real chance at decreasing our need for gasoline. What the Obama administration is doing is bringing a problem to our attention. While they can set new standards, it’s up to us to comply and take them a step further.

Learn more about new and used motorhomes. Stop by Beaudry RV Company’s site where you can find out all about RVs and what they can do for you.

Home elevators are a practical utility which are beneficial in row-houses, multi-level houses, duplex houses, bungalows, etc. It is a way to make transportation and mobility convenient from one level or from one floor of your building, to the other. Those who find it difficult to climb up and down the stairs elevators are the best option. These elevators provide a faster vertical transportation of people and material. Different advantages and benefits are listed below for you.

These elevators will surely increase the standard and value of your house, it also adds elegance to every level, it is a symbol of your high standard of living, making your travel throughout the house smooth and painless, and it is a comfortable ride, a true benefit to have at home. The operations of elevators are very simple and easy, you do not have to worry about how it works and operates.

Home or residential elevators provide a unique appearance to your house, it makes travelling up and down far more quicker and better, it is something that adds value and elegance to your home place, it gives a touch of class and high standard of living. These elevators are not very costly or difficult to operate; as nowadays most of us are already acquainted with the way to operate these.

It is mostly very helpful for the old age people; these elevators prove t be very good conveyance device for them. It is safe to handle and the oldies will no more have to climb those hundreds of stairs to reach the house and get tired and weak. Their climb will turn into a comfortable and enjoyable ride. They will no more feel stressed but feel relaxed and comfortable to reach different floors.

In today’s competitive world, there are many professional suppliers, who provide customers with satisfactory quality services in addition to sales and distribution. If you develop a mindset to buy one of the models from the home elevators, try to think twice considering all the aspects and figure out whether it meets your requirements or not, and then finalize your selection.

In multi stored building a elevator has become an important requirement. Elevators provide a pleasant ride from one floor to another. It is an ideal solution for indoor and outdoor use for terrace flats, bungalows, penthouses, row houses as well as duplex houses.

Apart from giving you comfort, they are safe too as they include the safety alarm system which is very essential for your security. The elevators are equipped with the capacity to carry materials and groceries, or goods too and can be used for multiple purposes. It is rightly said that home elevators are a symbol of convenience.

If you are tired of taking the stairs or look after of a person who cannot, you may need to know more about home elevators and other residential elevators.

Shenandoah is one of those communities where active adults over the age of 55 can live life to the fullest. Situated on Lake Frederick between Front Royal and Winchester in Virginia. This 942 acre community features acres of unspoiled natural beauty in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Owners have direct access to the lake and natural surroundings.

With Phase One under development, the community has 2,130 home sites. The first homes being built will feature lakefront, lake view, and mountain views. In the near future the association will begin building condos and town homes for a low maintenance living option.

The community features a luxury 35,000 sq. ft. clubhouse / fitness complex with many amenities. Some of the amenities enjoyed by the residents include a social club, media center, formal and informal dining options, library, activity rooms, bar and lounge.

Adults into physical fitness will love the exercise center that features both strength and cardio machines. Fitness trainers offer classes in Pilate’s, aerobics, and yoga Tennis players can challenge one another on the tennis courts. Swimmers can take a swim or relax by either the indoor or outdoor pool. Swimming lessons are also available.

One of Virginia’s most beautiful lakes is Lake Frederick. This natural lake is great for boating and fishing. There is a wide variety of fish such as Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Red Ear sunfish, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Walleye and Northern Pike in the lake. The community has dock and boat access to the lake as well as many piers suitable for fishing.

The community offers an extensive network of lakeside trails and beautiful woodlands and wetlands that make great spots for picnics in the lakeside pavilions.

Lake Fredrick and the surrounding towns offer many activities that can be enjoyed at the local parks, museums and wineries. There are six public golf courses within minutes of the community. The nation’s capital Washington DC is only an hour and a half away by car.

With an age restriction of 55 or older, you are sure to find like minded people and forge new friendships with other residents. Children are allowed to visit, but no one’ or younger is allowed to reside in the community permanently.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Shenandoah Community.

Watercrest at Mansfield, Mansfield, Texas’s first and only active adult community, recently announced that the facility has officially opened their doors to residents.  Watercrest at Mansfield offers resort-style living on 12 park-like acres. The campus features 11 villas and 200 independent living apartments for lease with features that include a heated saltwater pool, hair/nail salon, media library and learning center with Posit Science classes, fitness center, arts and crafts classroom center, and massage therapy salon.  The 13,000 square foot club house is the center of the gated community offering an array of recreational and social activities.

“We are thrilled that the doors of Watercrest at Mansfield are now open,” said Rick Simmons, president and CEO, Integrated Real Estate Group, developer of Watercrest at Mansfield. “The first residents are already taking advantage of the wide array of services and amenities offered by the community.”

Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced operating results for the company’s first quarter ended March 31, 2010 that showed revenues of $152 million vs. $138 million in Q1 2009.  HCN’s profit for Q1 2010 was $31.7 million down from $66 million from the same period in 2009.  Health Care REIT showed increases in expenses for interest cost, depreciation and took a loss of $18 million on the extinguishment of debt.  Some of the other highlights from the quarter include:

"We are off to a strong start to 2010," commented George L. Chapman, chief executive officer of Health Care REIT, Inc. "We completed $700 million of gross investments year-to-date, including a joint venture investment in one of the country’s leading life science campuses in Cambridge, Massachusetts and an acquisition of a medical office building portfolio in Wisconsin master leased to investment grade-rated Aurora Health Care, Inc. As a result, we have increased the high-end of our 2010 acquisition guidance by $200 million. In addition, during the quarter we commenced the development of two MOB projects affiliated with leading health systems, completed the construction of six existing development projects, and stabilized eight properties. On the capital raising front, we recently completed two debt offerings at attractive rates, which extended the duration of our debt while providing additional capacity for new investments."

Last week, 2,725 retirees celebrated the 10^th Anniversary of Riderwood in Silver Spring, MD,  in all five of the campus’ neighborhoods.  Riderwood, which is managed by Maryland-based Erickson Retirement Communities, is located on 120 acres across two counties in Maryland, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.  Riderwood employs 1,400 full-time and part-time staff and the campus has 1,950 independent living units, 230 assisted living units and 132 skilled nursing units.  As part of its community, Riderwood has prided itself upon its connections to the local community and the impact its residents have made on the area.  Some of these achievements include:

• Riderwood is the only retirement community in the world that has the Corporate Lands for Learning Certification. It is also the only  retirement community in the United States that has earned Wildlife Habitat  Council Certification.
• Riderwood Friends of Habitat for Humanity support Habitats in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C.,  by attending Build Days, making quilts for the families, making kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.
• Riderwood has an average of 650 residents attending classes each semester in a partnership with the Community College of Prince George’s County.  There is an average of 60 sessions on 40 topics.
• Forty-three students currently attending twelve high schools in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County this past year earned collegiate scholarships in the amount of $6,000 each for their four-year academic careers.  They did so through Riderwood’s Student Scholarship Program in which residents voluntarily contribute money to help student workers at the campus attend college. Riderwood has awarded over $1.35 million in scholarships to 325 students in the Student Scholarship Program since 2002.

“It has been inspiring over the years to watch residents  share their interests and talents,” said Resident Life Senior Manager  Claudia Farr,  “The volunteer leaders across the campus are the backbone of Riderwood and its community. Individual residents have a passion for the community spirit. Our groups and activities reflect our vibrant community and the unique people who live here. Truly, this activity level and volunteerism has enhanced the lives of all of us in some way.”