News

The sound of a tennis ball meeting a racquet’s sweet spot never gets old.

That satisfying thwock carries across Tallahassee’s senior communities every morning, accompanied by laughter, friendly banter, and the occasional good-natured dispute about whether that last shot was in or out.

But what’s happening on these courts goes far beyond recreation. It represents a fundamental shift in how we think about aging—a philosophy that recognizes physical activity not as an optional add-on but as an essential component of well-being in life’s later chapters.

And tennis is just the beginning.

The Evolution of Senior Fitness

Remember when senior fitness meant chair exercises and perhaps a leisurely stroll?

Those days are decidedly over.

Today’s approach recognizes that adults in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond benefit from—and are entirely capable of—engaging in a diverse range of physical activities that challenge the body and stimulate the mind simultaneously.

Tallahassee’s most innovative senior communities have embraced this evidence-based perspective, creating environments where active living is both encouraged and facilitated through thoughtfully designed amenities and robust programming.

Tennis courts stand as visible symbols of this philosophical shift—concrete reminders that aging and athletic engagement are entirely compatible concepts.

But why tennis specifically?

The Perfect Sport for Aging Well

Not all physical activities offer equal benefits for seniors.

Tennis provides a particularly powerful combination of advantages that directly address the common challenges of aging. It simultaneously improves cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, balance, coordination, and cognitive function—all while providing meaningful social engagement.

The sport’s intermittent nature—brief bursts of activity followed by short recovery periods—creates an ideal form of interval training that builds endurance without excessive strain. The varied movement patterns—reaching, pivoting, backpedaling, sprinting—develop balance and coordination skills that directly translate to fall prevention in daily activities.

Perhaps most importantly, tennis requires constant tactical thinking and split-second decisions, creating cognitive demands that strengthen the brain’s executive function and processing speed—aspects of cognition often affected by aging.

Research confirms these benefits. A 2018 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that racquet sports like tennis were associated with lower mortality rates than many other forms of exercise. Other studies have shown that regular tennis players demonstrate better cognitive performance, greater bone density, and improved reaction times compared to their non-playing peers.

For those concerned about joint stress, modern approaches have adapted the game to be gentler on the body. Tallahassee’s senior communities often feature cushioned courts that reduce impact. Many offer programs in pickleball—tennis’s lower-impact cousin played on a smaller court with a lighter ball and paddle—which provides similar benefits with reduced physical demands.

Beyond the Courts: A Spectrum of Activity

While tennis represents a centerpiece of active living, Tallahassee’s most forward-thinking senior communities recognize that physical engagement takes many forms.

Walking paths wind through gardens and natural areas, creating opportunities for both cardiovascular exercise and nature connection. Swimming pools offer zero-impact environments for building strength and endurance. Fitness centers feature equipment specifically designed for aging bodies, with proper supportive features and appropriate resistance ranges.

Group exercise programs range from traditional options like yoga and tai chi to more contemporary offerings such as Zumba Gold, water aerobics, and senior-adapted interval training. These structured activities provide both physical benefits and social connection—a powerful combination for overall well-being.

What makes these communities particularly effective is how they integrate physical activity into the fabric of daily life rather than isolating it as a separate health initiative. When walking paths connect living areas to dining facilities, when beautiful natural settings make outdoor activity intrinsically appealing, when social events incorporate movement—exercise becomes less about obligation and more about engaging fully with life.

Personalized Approaches to Active Living

One size never fits all—especially when it comes to physical activity.

The most innovative aspect of Tallahassee’s approach to active senior living is the emphasis on personalized fitness journeys that respect individual preferences, needs, and limitations while still promoting optimal health.

Upon moving into these communities, you’ll often find opportunities for fitness assessments that establish your current capabilities and help identify appropriate activities. Rather than prescribing standardized exercise regimens, wellness teams work with you to develop personalized approaches that align with your interests and goals.

Perhaps you were a competitive tennis player in your younger years and want to continue the sport with adaptations for current abilities. Maybe you’ve never played but are interested in learning pickleball in a supportive beginner environment. Or possibly court sports don’t appeal to you at all, and you’d rather focus on swimming, walking, or dance-based fitness.

Whatever your preference, the goal remains the same: finding physical activities that you genuinely enjoy and can sustain over time. This emphasis on enjoyment represents a crucial shift from traditional exercise prescriptions that often focus on obligation rather than pleasure—an approach that rarely results in long-term adherence.

The Social Dimension of Active Living

Physical activity in Tallahassee’s senior communities serves a purpose far beyond health maintenance. It creates natural opportunities for social connection that combat the isolation that too often accompanies aging.

Tennis and pickleball, with their doubles formats and natural breaks between points, create perfect environments for conversation and relationship building. Walking groups transform simple exercise into social outings. Group fitness classes foster a sense of community among regular participants. Golf cart outings to nearby courses combine recreation with social engagement.

These activity-based connections often prove more meaningful than those formed through passive social events. The shared experience of physical challenge, the natural teamwork required in many recreational activities, and the vulnerability of learning new skills together all contribute to deeper bonds than might form through conversation alone.

For those relocating to new communities after retirement, these activity-centered social opportunities provide particularly valuable pathways to integration. You might not yet know your neighbors, but you instantly have something in common with your tennis partners or walking group companions.

Competitive Opportunities for Those Who Seek Them

While many residents enjoy recreational activities without competitive elements, others thrive on friendly competition and the motivation it provides for continued improvement.

Tallahassee’s senior communities increasingly recognize this diversity of preference, offering competitive opportunities for those who desire them while maintaining non-competitive options for others.

You’ll find tennis and pickleball ladders where players can challenge others at similar skill levels. Swimming groups that track lap times for those interested in monitoring their progress. Walking clubs that offer optional participation in local 5K events. Golf outings that include friendly tournaments.

These competitive options provide goal-oriented residents with meaningful targets for improvement while creating natural communities of interest around shared pursuits. The emphasis remains on enjoyment and personal growth rather than performance pressure—a healthy approach to competition that enhances rather than diminishes the experience.

For former athletes, these opportunities provide continuity with lifelong interests while adapting to changing capacities. For those new to competitive activities, they offer novel challenges that stimulate both physical and cognitive growth.

Adaptive Approaches for Changing Abilities

One of the most thoughtful aspects of Tallahassee’s active senior communities is their recognition that physical abilities may change over time—and their commitment to providing continued engagement options regardless of those changes.

Tennis programs might include seated adaptations for those with mobility limitations. Fitness classes offer modified versions of movements to accommodate different ability levels. Water-based activities provide supportive environments for those with joint concerns or balance issues. Walking paths include frequent seating areas for those who need periodic rest.

This adaptive approach ensures that physical engagement remains possible throughout life’s journey rather than becoming inaccessible as challenges emerge. The focus shifts from what you can no longer do to what you can still enjoy with appropriate modifications.

Perhaps most importantly, these communities foster cultures that celebrate continued engagement rather than idealizing peak performance. The 80-year-old who has moved from singles tennis to doubles pickleball receives the same respect and inclusion as the 65-year-old competing in senior tournaments. The resident using walking poles on the community paths is as much a part of the active living culture as the one joining morning runs.

This inclusive approach maintains dignity and belonging regardless of physical changes—a stark contrast to competitive sports environments that sometimes marginalize those with declining abilities.

The Cognitive Benefits of Recreational Activities

While the physical benefits of active living receive deserved attention, the cognitive advantages merit equal consideration.

Activities like tennis demand split-second decision making, strategic thinking, and spatial awareness—cognitive skills that research shows can be maintained and even improved through consistent practice. The combination of physical movement and mental engagement creates ideal conditions for brain health, with each component enhancing the other’s effectiveness.

Even seemingly simple activities like walking offer cognitive benefits when performed in varied natural environments that provide gentle stimulation without overwhelming processing capacity. Walking companions provide conversation that exercises verbal skills and social cognition. Navigation of different routes challenges spatial memory and planning abilities.

These cognitive benefits prove particularly valuable as we age, potentially slowing decline and maintaining functional capabilities for daily living. The integration of physical and mental engagement creates efficiencies that standalone cognitive exercises rarely match.

Starting Your Active Living Journey

If you’re considering Tallahassee’s active senior communities, take time to explore their recreational facilities and program calendars before making decisions.

Visit at different times of day to observe how amenities are actually used rather than simply viewing empty facilities. Are the tennis courts active in the mornings? Do you see walking groups gathering regularly? Is the pool being used for both structured classes and individual exercise? These patterns offer insights into the community’s true culture around active living.

Ask about beginner opportunities if you’re interested in trying new activities. The best communities offer supportive entry points for novices rather than catering exclusively to experienced participants. Inquire about adaptive equipment and modified programs if you have physical limitations that might affect participation.

Most importantly, reflect on which activities genuinely appeal to you. The best exercise is always the one you’ll actually do consistently. If tennis seems intimidating but pickleball looks fun, start there. If group fitness classes make you uncomfortable but walking with friends sounds appealing, prioritize communities with extensive trail systems.

Remember that active living looks different for different people—there is no single “right way” to maintain physical engagement as you age. The key is finding activities that you find both enjoyable and sustainable given your current abilities and interests.

The View from Here

As you stand courtside at one of Tallahassee’s senior communities, watching residents decades past conventional retirement age engage in spirited tennis matches, you’re witnessing more than recreation. You’re seeing a fundamental reimagining of aging—an approach that recognizes continued growth, challenge, and engagement as birthright rather than exception.

The players on those courts are not defying aging—they’re redefining it, demonstrating that physical vitality and competitive spirit need not diminish with passing years when supported by appropriate environments and opportunities.

Their experience offers a compelling vision of what senior living can be when communities are designed around active engagement rather than passive care. It suggests possibilities for your own next chapter—one where recreation serves as both pleasure and purpose, where physical challenge continues to provide the satisfaction of mastery and improvement, where courts and paths and pools become settings for both health maintenance and community building.

This vision represents one of the most significant evolutions in senior living philosophy—a shift from focusing primarily on supporting limitations to equally emphasizing the expansion of capabilities and the continuation of joyful engagement with physical life.

On Tallahassee’s tennis courts, that evolution is happening one match at a time.

Westminster Communities of Florida® is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization serving older adults since 1954, with more than 7,000 residents in 22 communities.

Learn more at https://westminstercommunitiesfl.org/

Around this time of year, it’s hard not to appreciate the splendor of nature that surrounds us. As balmier spring temperatures settle across the country, nowhere looks quite as lush as the Sunshine State — and Westminster Oaks’ Tallahassee, Florida assisted living facility is a great example of what the state has to offer in terms of natural beauty. As the “Oaks” in our name might suggest, we take our love of foliage pretty seriously here!

Our abundance of tree-lined paths isn’t just beautiful to look at, of course. It boasts several benefits for the environment and for the people who call it “home,” too! Arbor Day may just be one day a year, but we want to celebrate spring, summer, fall, and winter — and then back to spring again! Just read on to see a few of our favorite ways to do that from the comfort of our one-of-a-kind community.

Take A Walk

Walking is widely regarded as one of the best exercises for people of all ages — so if you’re able, consider taking a stroll through Westminster Oaks’ suburban grounds and admiring the lush foliage as you go! According to the University of California: Berkeley’s Greater Good Magazine, studies have shown that spending time near trees comes with a wide array of benefits — from promoting the integrity of your amygdala (the part of your brain that handles stress) to potentially supporting your immune system, cardiovascular health, and much more. There’s an old saying about stopping to smell the flowers — but in our book, it’s just as important to stop and admire the trees, too!

Tree-filled views abound throughout Westminster Oaks, of course — so even if you’re hanging out at our resort-style dining, enjoying a grab-and-go picnic, or soaking in the view from your garden, there’s no shortage of ways to see the trees.

Leave The Work To Us

Fortunately, even with all those trees, you don’t have to put in the work needed to care for them! That’s because Westminster Oaks is a proud maintenance-free community. In other words, we want our residents to enjoy their time to the fullest — through things like connecting with friends, exploring nature, and pursuing hobbies they feel passionate about. Yard work isn’t on the to-do list!

Plant A Tree

With all of that being said, even if you aren’t planting a tree yourself, you can still do so virtually! The world can always use more trees, and there are several options for those who would like to contribute to the planet’s foliage. For example, the United States Department of Agriculture allows you to make a small donation in order to plant a tree in a beautiful national forest. You can do so just for fun, or in honor of a loved one’s memory or special day. When it comes to gifts, few are more meaningful than that!

Learn About Nature (& Much, Much More)

When you call Westminster Oaks “home,” you have access to one-of-a-kind educational initiatives through Florida State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute! We also have a welcoming library and computer center where you can pursue your own proclivities in a comfortable, connected environment. No matter how you learn, our Tallahassee community is a great place to pursue your interest science and plant life, enhancing your appreciation of our abundant trees in the process.

Visit A Local Forest

Want to take your love of trees to new heights — literally? The unique location of Florida’s capital city means you’re never far from a beautiful natural vista, such as Apalachicola National Forest — which just so happens to be the largest in the state. Who knew such a vibrant, teeming center of biodiversity could be found right around the corner from our cozy Tallahassee community?

A new season means a time to turn the page — both figuratively and literally. That is to say, March is National Reading Month! This is the perfect time to rediscover the joy of reading, explore new genres, or revisit that beloved, well-worn novel that’s been hiding on your shelf.

Fortunately, from the comfort of Westminster Oaks’ state-of-the-art independent living in Tallahassee, there are plenty of fun ways to celebrate your love of reading — this month and beyond. Just read on as we share a few of our favorites!

Love Your Local Library

Do you remember walking into your local library or school media center as a kid? The seemingly never-ending shelves were like passageways to different worlds, satisfying your boundless curiosity — and inspiring you to ask even more questions with every turn of a page. This wonder still applies today! Why not celebrate National Reading Month by visiting Westminster Oaks’ on-site library, or checking out the libraries of the esteemed local universities we’re proud to partner with? Whether you’re just browsing, or are studying up for your Lifelong Learning course, a trip to the library is one of our favorite ways to spend an afternoon.

Join A Book Club… Or Start Your Own

Reading can be enjoyed solo, but it doesn’t have to be! Book clubs provide a great way to get connected with your fellow literature lovers, and can also expose you to new genres and author you might not have considered before. If you don’t know of a good book club, you can even start one yourself! It’s easier than you might think — especially as modern technology facilitates book clubs over video chat, connecting readers from across the state, country, or globe.

Set Up A Cozy Reading Nook

Your Westminster Oaks home is the perfect place to set up a cozy reading nook. This can be virtually any comfortable, well-lit corner of your space — but of course, we especially love the allure of a serene window seat where you can spend hours getting lost in a good book. Just add a comfy seating option and lots of pillows for total relaxation!

Make Reading A Routine

If reading isn’t already part of your daily routine, it might seem daunting to work it in — but quite the contrary! Even 15 minutes (or, say, a chapter) before bed can help you work your way through a great book, relax your mind for nighttime, and develop a powerful habit in the process.

Read & Reflect

If you want another creative hobby, pick up a journal and reflect on your reading! This is a handy way to track your interest in different authors and genres, and invites you to think critically about the themes and ideas you’re consuming — kind of like you might have done as a kid in school! You can even add a visual element with fun, scrapbook-esque collages. Who knew a book report could be so, well, fun?

Attend Local Events

Keen to take your love of reading to the next level? The best thing about this hobby is that it can fully enjoyed from the comfort of home — but if you’d like to mix things up, look for local events like author readings and book fairs that let you tap into the literary community in new ways!

Gift A Meaningful Book

There’s no gift quite as meaningful as a book you want to share with someone you love — especially if you autograph the inside as a special memento! The recipient won’t just to discover what you love about the text, but will also think of you every time they pick up the book in the future as well.

We hope that these ideas help spark your passion for reading — this month and all year long! Fortunately, when you call Westminster Oaks “home,” there’s no shortage of fun ways to connect with fellow literature lovers.

Springtime means celebrating the change of season by relaxing at the beach, splashing around the pool, and… spring cleaning? No, really! Sure, the seasonal observance may sound like a chore. And perhaps in the past, it was. But from the comfort of your Tallahassee, Florida independent living home, it can take on an entirely new spirit — one that’s all about rediscovery, honoring your past, and celebrating where you are today!

When you call Westminster Oaks “home,” you can enjoy a truly maintenance-free living experience. That means the heavy lifting traditionally associated with spring cleaning — like trimming bushes or re-mulching your front yard — is a thing of the past. Instead, you can focus on the lighter, more fun side of this annual ritual.

Wondering how to do that? Just keep reading as we share a few creative ways to do spring cleaning from your Westminster Oaks abode.

Fashion Show With A Twist

It never hurts to have a fun excuse to do a fashion show — and a closet clean-up presents exactly that! Invite family over to help you look through old clothes and accessories, and take turns trying on looks from the different decades. From there, you can decide whether to keep your finds or give them to the next generation — because, after all, trends are so cyclical that you’ve probably got some very “in” pieces hiding in the back of your wardrobe right now!

Digitizing Memories

You can also enlist a loved one’s help in digitizing old photo albums, documents, and other keepsakes. This doesn’t require you to get rid of the physical mementos — after all, there’s something special about an old leather scrapbook that’s been passed down through the generations — but it allows you to protect them with an additional layer of safety, and makes it that much easier to share fun memoires with loves ones across the state, country, or globe!

Small, Stylish Changes

Craving a change for the season? You don’t need to completely revamp your living space to enjoy fun, stylish changes! Start slowly by swapping out small accessories or adding in a specific color or motif.

Crafting From Clutter

Old jars can be turned into charming flower vases, sentimental greeting cards can become one-of-a-kind wall art, and your favorite old t-shirts can be sewn into stunning quilts for yourself or a loved one! These are just a few fun ways that traditional “clutter” can take on a new life, if you’re a crafty person.

Culinary Clean-Up

Cookbooks and kitchen items are a common source of clutter — but they also help people gather together! Host a potluck or baking exchange and send your visitors home with different food-themed books and goodies. They’ll appreciate the meaningful memento, and you’ll be glad that your home is a little bit cleaner while still giving new to life to your time-honored recipes!

Show & Tell

Remember how much fun show and tell was as a kid? As you spruce up your surroundings, you’ll probably stumble upon items that come with interesting backstories. It’s the perfect excuse to host a storytelling evening with friends and family, where you share the history and stories behind your treasured finds!

When you rethink what spring cleaning can be, you open yourself — and your home — up to a new era of renewal and rediscovery. And that’s what spring is all about! We hope that these ideas help you get the season off to a fun start at your Westminster Oaks home.

Here at Westminster Oaks, we’re all about promoting healthy, active aging for our residents. And over our many years serving Tallahassee seniors, we’ve learned meditation can have incredible benefits for mind, body and soul. From reducing stress to improving sleep, focusing attention to lifting mood, the advantages of regular mindfulness practice almost seem endless!

So we make meditation a central part of life in our assisted living community. We’ve experimented with all sorts of contemplative practices to find those best suited for seniors, landing on a “greatest hits” of our residents’ 5 favorites. These accessible, impactful techniques help our retirement home residents enjoy vitality at any age.

In this blog, we’ll walk through each beloved method, from classic breathwork to innovative walking meditations. We’ll share the specifics on how to meditate for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Consider it your guide to integrating mindfulness seamlessly into your days here at Westminster Oaks. Our hope? That the following practices awaken deep peace and joy available inside us all.

Tune Into Your Breath, Tune Out Anxiety

We pretty much consider breath awareness the foundation of meditation here at Westminster Oaks. It’s simple, straightforward and offers incredible physiological and emotional benefits for seniors. By gently bringing attention to the rhythms of inhaling and exhaling, we calm our nervous system, lower blood pressure, stabilize mood and gain laser mental focus.

It’s the perfect antidote to anxiety and stress. And in the fast pace of today’s world, couldn’t we all use a little more chill?

Here’s how our residents practice daily:

Find a comfortable seat, settling into a posture that’s upright but not stiff. Allow your eyelids to gently close and relax any frowning muscles in your face. Now bring attention to the subtle sensations of breathing. Feel the gentle rise and fall of your chest and belly without manipulating your breath in any way. Thoughts will come and go like passing clouds. Note them briefly, then redirect your attention back to your breath.

Aim for 5-10 minutes once or twice per day. Easy as that! With regular practice, you’ll soon find yourself more centered, focused and flooded with inner peace.

Harness the Power of Mantras

Repeating a meaningful word or phrase over and over is such a simple, powerful way to short-circuit anxiety and overthinking. By giving our bustling minds something positive to chew on, mantra meditation leads to all sorts of great outcomes for seniors.

Science suggests that vocalizing in this way can reduce blood pressure, lift mood and sharpen cognitive skills. On top of those perks, we find chanting mantras incredibly soothing and comforting during stressful times. The repetitive practice keeps our worrying minds occupied with an uplifting message rather than an anxious one.

You can experiment with classic mantras like “Om” or create one with personal meaning. The right option generally uplifts, centers and produces a calming vibration through the body. Once you’ve selected your mantra, find a quiet spot to sit erect but relaxed. Seal your lips and repeat the phrase in your mind, focusing only on the mantra. When thoughts inevitably distract you, return ever-so-gently back to your chosen words.

For most fruitful results, mantra meditation guides recommend 15-20 minutes twice per day. But start slow with 5-10 minutes once a day – the benefits will amaze you!

Sweep Away Aches with Body Scans

It’s no secret that aging bodies sometimes introduce new aches or pains. Chronic discomfort can easily dampen our spirits and prevent us from fully participating in life. So here at Westminster Oaks, we equip residents with tools to mitigate physical suffering and tune into our bodily needs. Our secret weapon? The powerfully soothing body scan!

Body scans involve slowly sweeping your attention from head to toe, observing sensations in different regions without judging them as good or bad. It’s a way to tune into messages from your physical form and gently release built-up tension in muscles. Regular practice leaves us more attuned to early warning signs while alleviating nagging back pain, arthritis and neuropathy.

Want to give it a go? Follow these step-by-step instructions:

Find a quiet space to lie down or sit upright comfortably. Close your eyes, taking a few deep breaths. Bring attention to the crown of your head, noticing any sensations present. After a few slow breaths, shift focus to your forehead. Slowly progress across your whole face: eyes, jaw, neck. Scan downward through your shoulders, arms, chest and torso. Make your way down the legs all the way through the feet. The whole process takes 10-20 minutes.

Remember not to tense up or try to change what you experience. The goal is simply to observe with compassion. Over time, this builds body awareness and incredible physical relaxation. Regular body scans can work wonders if you suffer from pain, tension or uneasy sensations.

Envision Your Happy Place

In progressive senior living communities like Westminster Oaks, life stays fast-paced with a wide variety of stimulating activities. While we wouldn’t trade our jam-packed schedules for anything, all that excitement can occasionally leave residents feeling drained or overstimulated.

That’s why we make time for guided mental vacations each day through visualization meditation! This refreshing practice ushers your mind away from reality into imaginative scenes specially crafted to relax and restore you. Studies confirm visualization reduces anxiety, blood pressure and inflammation in older adults while enhancing mood and sleep.

Our residents’ favorite guided journey? Transporting to a personal sanctuary, perhaps located beside the ocean, a trickling stream or flowering meadow. This special place exists only in your mind, filled with sights, textures, sounds and scents to delight your senses. Every detail engages your imagination, drawing you into profound serenity.

We recommend start with a short 5-10 minute visualization once or twice a day. Over time, build up to 15-20 minutes in your special sanctuary. Don’t be surprised if you find real-world stresses melting away after regular visits! For extra relaxation, try a 30-minute body scan followed immediately by visualization.

Walk Your Way to Mindfulness & Wellbeing

We all know physical activity keeps our bodies spry and nimble into old age. And living at Westminster Oaks, you better believe we stay active with walking, strength training and balance classes! But there’s a special kind of walking we always make time for – walking meditation.

As the name suggests, this is meditation in motion. By tuning into sensory details involved with slowly, mindfully moving from place to place, walking meditation unclutters the mind and settles frayed nerves. Staying completely aware during movement teaches us to anchor in the present, key for aging folks dealing with memory challenges. We find integrating walking meditation into our days leaves us sharper, calmer and more upbeat.

Interested to try this moving mindfulness practice? Follow these steps:

Stand comfortably still, closing your eyes. Bring all your attention simply to the physical sensations present in your body. After a few slow deep breaths, open your eyes and begin strolling a short distance slowly. Keep the pace quarter speed, focusing intently on each micro-movement made to shift your weight fully from foot to foot. Tune into sounds, physical sensations and environment details as you walk with complete awareness for 5-15 minutes. If thoughts distract your attention, gently return focus to sensory aspects of moving mindfully through space.

When it comes to aging vibrantly, we firmly believe the journey counts as much as the destination. By integrating meditation into everyday living here at Westminster Oaks, our residents relish each moment while working toward healthier, happier futures. We’d love to welcome you into our compassionate community soon to begin your own contemplative journey!

When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens Florida, like Hurricane Idalia this week, team members at Westminster Communities of Florida have a top priority: Ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents we serve. Our Mission is to serve from the heart and inspire older adults to enjoy happy, healthy and purposeful lives.

What impact has Hurricane Idalia had? Some of our dedicated team members are living out our Mission, today, by evacuating with residents or sheltering at their communities through the storm. Regardless of their normal jobs, their principal responsibility right now is to provide for the residents’ needs.

Today we caught up with five of these team members to learn about their experiences, why they chose to stay at their community or evacuate with residents, and what is inspiring them to stay hard at work during a storm.

Jackie Walker Ellison, Cook, Westminster Shores, temporarily at Westminster Winter Park

In St. Petersburg, Westminster Shores was forced to relocate residents out of the path of the storm. Jackie Walker Ellison always knew she would be with the residents, from the moment she first heard. “The residents said to me, ‘Jackie, are you coming with us? I know we’ll be OK if you come with us.’ So I had no doubt,” Ellison said. “I knew for sure I would be evacuating, I called my husband and my mother and I told them, ‘I’m going with my residents, I’ll see you whenever.’ ”

The group of 24 residents was accompanied by Ellison to Westminster Winter Park, where they’re enjoying the hospitality of the residents and team members there. The Westminster Shores team is occupied with providing for the needs of the residents during Hurricane Idalia. “I think it brings everyone together as a team,” she said.

Ellison has worked at Westminster Shores for 29 years, and “I love my residents. I wouldn’t have been here so long if I didn’t love this place and my residents. God put us here for a reason,” she said. “Right now, the residents are happy, we’ve been watching movies and playing games, and everything is going smoothly.”

Michele McCann, Assisted Living Activities Coordinator, Westminster Palms, sheltering in place

“I choose to be with the residents during the most emotional time, like a hurricane, because that’s my quality as a caregiver,” said Michele McCann, Assisted Living Activities Coordinator at Westminster Palms. “Challenging times like this bring out the best in people, and I get to see it and share it.”

McCann was sheltering in place at the community in St. Petersburg, along with residents from Westminster Palms and residents from Westminster Point Pleasant in Bradenton. She has lived in Florida for more than 7 years, and has experienced three hurricanes in St. Petersburg so far. McCann said she feels that the way the team bonds, whether through an evacuation or sheltering in place, makes the team stronger. “We are going to come out better on the other side of this! We always do. We are so lucky that we are here, in our home, together, instead of relocating like so many had to. I have come to feel like this is my home, too.”

Carlos Santiago, Maintenance Engineer, Westminster Point Pleasant and Tiffany Mestre, Administrative Assistant, Community Support Services, temporarily at Legacy Pointe at UCF

A group of residents from Westminster Point Pleasant were also with Maintenance Engineer Carlos Santiago and Tiffany Mestre, an administrative assistant at our Community Support Services office in Orlando. The residents had evacuated from Bradenton due to the risk of storm surge and flooding, and were enjoying the hospitality of Legacy Pointe at UCF.

Santiago, the maintenance engineer, said that he had been through the worst in 2017 when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. “We were there with no power for 60 days, and we weren’t able to do anything,” he said. By comparison, he felt that everything was under control and being well maintained for the residents through both of his hurricane experiences as a Westminster team member.

“This job is personal for me,” Santiago said. “The residents are my family and I want to make sure that they are well taken care of.” In 2022, Santiago was recognized as Westminster Point Pleasant’s Team Member of the Year for his dedicated service to the residents. He said it was his honor to serve the residents.

Evacuating with the residents is just another extension of his commitment to the community, Santiago said. “This is my second time evacuating with the residents, and it doesn’t matter how many more. I will always volunteer to be there for them. We are here for each other and for the residents.”

Countless storms had also affected Mestre, a Florida native. But she had never had an experience like today’s. “It’s wonderful to help the residents and hear about their interests and stories. This is a great way to see how the residents live,” Mestre said. “I am getting to know what a day in the life of a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and an ADON (Assistant Director of Nursing) are like. It has opened my eyes. Bless their souls for doing all of this.”

The effects of the storm had been mild in Orlando, but Mestre said that nevertheless, she and the residents felt more secure and had been brought closer together by the experience – and the residents were thankful for the security. “This has really brought our Mission to life for me in a way I had not experienced it,” said Mestre.

For Santiago, part of living in a hurricane zone meant more practice – and that he had found that the team is getting stronger through the experience. “The more we do this together, the more we become comfortable with each other, and the better organized we become. When you send a group of people together for one purpose and for our Mission, we get the opportunity to grow together and learn from each other,” said Santiago.

Beth Szabo, Services Coordinator, Riverside Presbyterian Apartments, sheltering in place

Another part of the Westminster Mission is to serve residents with low to moderate incomes, in our affordable Rental Retirement Communities. Beth Szabo, services coordinator at Riverside Presbyterian Apartments, was sheltering in place at the community to ensure that the residents were well cared for throughout the potential effects of the storm in Jacksonville.

“I’ve lived in Jacksonville since 1976, so I have lost count of how many hurricanes I’ve been through now. In 2004 they were coming so frequently we all said, ‘I’m over it, just let it go,’ ” said Szabo. “We have had to evacuate a few times over the years, like for Hurricane Matthew in 2016. But we did not have to this time.”

For Szabo, serving during a hurricane is a natural extension of her choice to work at the community, because the residents are like her extended family. “I have a heart for seniors, and the residents here mean a lot to me,” she said. “If something happens then I want to be here to help them.”

Szabo added that she feels safer riding out a storm at Riverside Presbyterian Apartments than at home. “Here at the community, I know that we have a great team looking out for everyone. We’re very small but we support each other.”

A facet of our Mission

While a hurricane is unexpected, serving the residents and supporting their fellow team members wherever we are and however we can is just another facet of the Mission of Westminster Communities of Florida: We serve from the heart and inspire older adults to enjoy happy, healthy and purposeful lives.

Be sure to learn all about how you can make a Westminster community your home to live or to work – find a community near you or follow us on Facebook and on LinkedIn!