GREENVILLE, Mercer County — Personal needs change with age. What doesn’t change is the desire to remain as independent and self-sufficient as possible for as long as possible.

A good plan for future care of those needs can relieve the worry of “what will happen to me someday?”

Jim and Jackie Weyman moved to the Colony, an independent living community, from Johnstown. After looking at six retirement communities, Weyman said St. Paul’s Homes offered the couple what they were looking for in continued care.

“The guaranteed care for as long as we need it, and the security for either Jackie or myself should one of us need further care was very important to us,” he said. “Also, the Eden Alternative practiced here made an impression.”

Eden Alternative is a philosophy that transforms senior communities, creating life worth living.

Harry Wood, a resident of the Colony, spent three days at the Ridgewood, an aging-in-place residence offering personal care. Wood requested a brief stay there following a surgical procedure.

“I live alone at the Colony so when I came home from the hospital, it was comforting to know that what I had planned for all this time was available to me. I could go to the Ridgewood for the care I needed,” Wood said.

Evelyn Kaufman, a resident of the Heritage, another aging-in-place residence that offers independent living with services and activities of daily living, also had a plan for her future.

She moved to St. Paul’s in 1985 and lived at the Colony for 20 years. Once the Heritage apartments were made available, she moved there to have her daily meals provided and receive assistance as she needed it. She has lived at the Heritage for six years.

At age 96, she knows that care at the Villas is available to her if she needs it.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said. “I have made a lot of friends, and I truly believe I have lived longer because my quality of life has been better here.”

Lillian Pearson, 94, lives in an apartment at the Ridgewood. She also once lived in an apartment at the Colony.

“I was happy at the Colony, and I am happy here at the Ridgewood,” she said.

Born and raised in Greenville, Pearson said the transition was easy for her because she already knew many people at St. Paul’s. If she ever needs the services of the Villas, it comforts her that there is a plan in place that will provide for her.

John and Erla Maxwell, residents of St. Paul’s, were married nearly 65 years when Erla passed away on Jan. 26. When they moved to St. Paul’s in 1998, it was important for them to stay together.

Even though their individual needs moved them from independent living at the Colony to aging-in-place at the Heritage and then to skilled nursing care at the Villas, the Maxwells were rarely apart. That was the plan.

“St. Paul’s has been wonderful to us,” said Maxwell. “The fact that we were able to be together every step of the way meant a lot to both of us.”

For more information about St. Paul’s, call 724-589-4646 or visit www.lifeatstpauls.org.

This article was submitted by St. Paul’s Homes.