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Community Retrofit for Retirement Living
Professor David J. Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service 07-02-03

Madeline Hill Talk about "re-inventing" retirement, wow. When a true innovator wants to change things for the better, she literally "goes to town". Oregon resident, Madeline Hill made a commitment to create Mountain Meadows, a dream retirement community. Her decision was based on a long and dedicated history in social services. Madeline played a key role in creating the project that became the Oregon dModel of Long Term Care, now used by Congress and other state governments. For 11 years, she served as regional manager of the Oregon State Senior Services Division. During her years in social services, Madeline became dedicated to the idea of a very special kind of senior community. That's how the dream that become Mountain Meadows began. Mountain Meadows is a community where residents can maintain an independent lifestyle and control over their lives.
Imagine, for a moment, that you own your own single-family or condominium home in a thoughtfully designed and solidly built retirement community with spectacular views in Ashland, Oregon. Your neighbors are bright, active, caring people. You spend your days strolling in the private park or taking part in many other pleasurable activities both in and around the campus. You're secure. And you're happy.

In 1989, Madeline Hill made that dream a reality by founding Mountain Meadows, a 21 acre retirement community in Ashland. You'll now find lovely craftsman-style homes, hillside and creekside condominiums, spacious apartments, and licensed assisted living. You'll also experience the spirit and energy that Madeline was determined to bring to reality.

The community's natural setting, with its panoramic mountain view and gently sloping meadows, is well complemented by elegant residences built in the classic Craftsman style of early 20th century America, with "Main Street" style porches, river-rock pillars, and gables. The 31-acre community features generous open space with single-family homes and condominiums. When fully complete in 2003, Mountain Meadows will have between 260 and 300 single-family homes and condominiums. The first owners took residence back in March of 1996.

This innovative community is driven by the concept of "maximum independence and choice". The community achieves it through an a la carte program of services from housekeeping to yard care to assisted living. The goals is to offer all the benefits of home-ownership without all the drudgery. That's a tall order, but it appears to be working.

Photo credit: Mountain Meadows, Oregon.
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
Submit reader comments to: demko@demko.com
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