really became interested in the
health care world of assisted-living
facilities and nursing homes
because I saw a lack of creativity in
the field," Solden said.
"The new generation of senior
health care is assisted living. With
the advances in medical technolo-
gy, surgeries, medicines, etc., peo-
ple are living longer, with a good
quality of life. And many of them
University Living residents dance at a recent par t y.
don't need nursing homes. Assisted
living definitely fills the need, and
impromptu piano jazz renditions. On U-
our residents maintain their dignity and
M football Saturdays, the facility has pre-
self-esteem."
game "tailgate" parties in the kitchen.
Solden also realized there was a special
The residents take yoga lessons, use an
need for an independent and assisted-liv- up-to-date exercise room and some even
ing community in Ann Arbor, where
'lift weights.
many people in their 70s and 80s are
Residents make frequent trips to the
highly educated and used to the cultural
U-M campus, synagogues, stores and
and intellectual atmosphere of a college
other Ann Arbor destinations. "We offer
town. "This also is true for a large num-
everything from book clubs to theater
ber of people in the Jewish community"
trips," said Solden, who donates about
he added. "We were raised with culture
$15,000 annually to U-M gerontology
and education as a priority, and it's
research projects, including a current
important we give our seniors an oppor-
study of why elderly people fall down
tunity to continue their lifelong pur-
and fall prevention.
suits."
"We provide people with what we call
Solden partnered with Richard Fink of a PEP plan — a personal enrichment
Kalamazoo, a former Pennsylvania
plan," Solden explained. "It's like a care
teacher who developed nursing homes
plan for the soul, mind and spirit. We
throughout Michigan, including Elan
ask the resident, 'What are you interested
Village, the former Jewish residence in
in? What things can we help you contin-
Southfield. They raised about $3 million
ue to do? Is there something you used to
from local investors, obtained a loan for
enjoy that we can help you do again?'
about $10 million more and built
The residents are enthusiastic. "I like it
University Living. Solden's attorney and
here because the activities stimulate my
mentor is Morris Brenner, 87, of West
mind," said Kay Shuchman, 86, who is
Bloomfield, who has been practicing law
confined to a wheelchair. "I especially
for 64 years.
love having discussions and debates
With the Ann Arbor location, Solden
about religion with the university stu-
developed the idea for the facility to link
dents. The staff is wonderful (30 employ-
with U-M on intergenerational research
ees), and they provide an excellent variety
through the school's Institute of
of food. And I like the fact that I don't
Gerontology. The Undergraduate
have to feel like an old lady." She has
Research Opportunity Program pairs stu- four children and 12 grandchildren, and
dents with the elderly residents for week-
one son lives in Ann Arbor.
ly one-on-one sessions, from three to 15
Dorothy Fish, 83, is twice a widow, of
hours, and group seminars focusing on
a professor and a psychiatrist. She moved
current events, religion and mid-life
to University Living from Maine to
problems.
"return to the academic world" and be
Students get academic credit in the
near her son, who is a U-M professor.
program directed by Richard Adelman,
"The activities keep me busy and the
an emeritus professor, who maintains an
short halls here make it easy to get
office at University Living to mainly do
around," she said. 'At my age, I didn't
research. "This program is beneficial
think it was possible to learn anything
because many of the lonely residents
new — but I'm certainly doing it here,
have made new friends and have
especially in the relationship with the
increased their quality of life," noted
university students."
Adelman, who has been a gerontologist
The University Living concept has
for more than 30 years.
even reaped an award in its first year of
Solden's creativity comes through in
operation: The Excellence in Assisted
the many activities and events at
Living Public Relations Award from the
University Living. He arranges a variety
Michigan Center for Assisted Living, and
of entertainment, including concerts by
Solden now serves on the board of the
singers and musicians, and often surpris-
Jewish Vocational Service of Washtenaw
es residents at dinner time with his own,
County. ❑

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