Here are some options for eco-friendly senior living
If you’re looking for a senior living community to call home and would feel better knowing the place you’ll be living cares about the Earth, there are some places that make an extra effort to offer an environmentally friendly approach with sustainability in mind.
Kendal-Crosslands Communities in Kennett Square, Chester County, is a not-for-profit Life Plan Community that makes various efforts to minimize the environmental impact of the community. Their efforts are helping both residents and staff make a collective impact daily, which equates to overall environmental consciousness.
“We recently welcomed a herd of goats on our 500-acre campus to help do some ‘mowing’ and weed control on our landscape,” Kendal says on its website. “No emissions, pesticides, herbicides and other chemical effects on our planet here.”
Since goats are great for weed control, due to their love of eating invasive plants, they were an ideal solution for Kendal Crossoad’s test for an Earth-friendly option to groom their landscapes.
In addition to the care and consideration they give to their landscape, the community works with PECO’s Multifamily Solutions project to add energy-efficient upgrades to half of their campus.
“We were able to install 974 LED bulbs, 387 faucet aerators, and 175 efficient-flow shower heads, leading to an annual savings of over $9,000,” they said.
As a result of these measures, residents save approximately $30 per year in energy bills. Kendal has plans to update the second half of their community in the near future.
Ever since Kendal was established in the early 1970s through a generous grant by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, the actions they take are firmly grounded in Quaker values. These values guide the residents and staff, including being environmental stewards.
Another community that also feels a sense of responsibility to be stewards of the environment is Pennswood Village in Newtown, Bucks County. Also centered on Quaker principles and traditions, in addition to offering those 65 and older residential and healthcare services, Pennswood has an award-winning storm water management system hidden beneath 10 acres of their meadow.
“We are good stewards of the land,” Pennswood says on their website. “Looking at the campus you’d never know how truly effective this system is. You’ll be free to enjoy the beauty knowing it’s being responsibly preserved.”
They also have an involvement with LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design).
“LEED has transformed our approach to future design, construction and maintenance,” they said. “A geothermal system harnesses the thermal power of the Earth to heat and cool our community
building and health center.”
Pennswood has a comprehensive recycling program, a commitment to responsible landscaping using native trees, shrubs and trees, a kitchen garden and an active Environmental Concerns Committee made up of residents. This committee thinks about ways to impact the Earth in positive ways outside the confines of their living community.
“We are always seeking new ways to preserve our environment both here on campus and beyond,” they said.
Brandywine Living, with various locations in Pennsylvania, including one in Upper Providence, Montgomery County, is also affiliated with LEED. They have been committed to earning LEED certifications at many of their communities, including Upper Providence. Their aim is to allow residents to live and grow within a sustainable environment.
To receive their LEED certification, they have implemented a range of environmentally conscious construction based on green design and landscaping measures to reduce environmental impact.
Areas of focus have included optimizing energy performance to reduce energy, maximizing open space, connection to the outdoors with views, public transportation access to reduce pollution from automobile use and construction waste management to divert waste from the landfill.
Brandywine’s Montgomery County location is one of four LEED Silver certified communities, which is a reflection of their ongoing commitment to offering eco-friendly living environments to their residents.