Kendal at Oberlin Blog

Like every chapter of their lives, Baby Boomers have redefined what it means to work and play, form relationships and find inner peace, and now grow old.

Even our language is undergoing a change as we talk about Boomers. For some Boomers, full retirement age is defined by Social Security as 65, for others 66 or 67. But many “retired” Boomers are or plan to continue working.

If you’re thinking about moving to a retirement community, condo or smaller home, you’ve probably read an article or two about downsizing and these 3 key points are not new:

1. Your children don’t want your stuff;
2. Your stuff isn’t worth what you think it is;
3. You have too much stuff.

There are currently estimated to be over 46 million people worldwide living with dementia, and by 2050 the number of people affected is set to rise to over 131 million.  

It’s no secret that Kendal at Oberlin is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It’s also no surprise, given the creative, talented and energetic men and women who call Kendal home, that the celebration is eclectic and extensive.  

More than 25 years ago, future residents of Kendal at Oberlin planted the seeds for how the retirement community would operate. The community would be based on Quaker values and practices, and residents would have a strong voice in all aspects of community life — social, cultural, intellectual and governance.   

For many of us, buying a starter house years ago meant taking a crash course in homebuying  101. Mortgage points? PMI? Title insurance? Closing costs? We had a lot to learn, but most of us passed the test and made a sound financial decision.

Ed and Anne Wardwell’s marriage began in 1970, and so did their affection for canoeing.

For years they explored the Cuyahoga River and other waterways near their home in Shaker Heights. Now residents of Kendal at Oberlin, the couple heads south to Findley State Park in Wellington or north to their favorite spot, Old Woman Creek in Huron.

Megan Caracciolo was looking for a meaningful internship that would further her college studies in gerontology.

Retired geriatric physician Lal Arora was looking for a meaningful opportunity to use his expertise.

Kendal residents Robert Taylor and Ted Nowick have been partners since 1975.  

“As you can see, the LGBT community here at Kendal at Oberlin has grown significantly since 2003, when Ted and I moved here as the first openly gay residents,” Robert told a recent crowd of several hundred people who had gathered to hear personal stories from Kendal’s gay, lesbian and transgender residents.

Kendal at Oberlin residents are a creative bunch, and the biennial “Kendal Creates” celebrates their collective creativity.

They are photographers, painters and potters, woodworkers and fiber artists, and more.