Waltonwood Lake Boone, a premier senior living community, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its assisted living and memory care neighborhoods. The event will be held for invited guests, the media and the public on Thursday, June 27 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The free event will feature chef-attended action stations, a large selection of hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails. Guests are welcome to tour the 400,000-square-foot, $60 million community (located at 3550 Horton Street).

“We are excited to open our assisted living and memory care community and welcome residents to their new home,” said Allison O’Shea, executive director at Waltonwood Lake Boone. “We worked diligently to create a desirable community in the Triangle area with unmatched hospitality and the highest quality of care. Several residents have already moved in, and we look forward to welcoming more in the months to come. We considered every detail of our assisted living and memory care neighborhoods with residents and their families in mind. Our community provides programming that motivates and positively impacts older adults. We will provide the residents of our community with not only a safe and secure home, but also a wonderful place where they can truly enjoy life.”

Waltonwood Lake Boone, which opened its independent living neighborhood earlier this year, features 121 independent living apartments, 39 assisted living apartments and 23 memory care apartments and can serve more than 200 residents. The senior living community is in a prime location inside the beltline of Raleigh near doctors, restaurants and shopping, and offers private studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. Residents have an array of amenities to enjoy, including restaurant-style dining with three nutritious meals a day, a wellness and fitness center, craft room, beauty salon, library and more. A sensory room is available for memory care residents, and trained caregivers are on site around the clock. The extensive life enrichment department provides residents with endless programs that promote social interaction.

“Our approach to senior care is the result of a highly experienced team of professionals who have a true passion for helping seniors,” Sara Bailey, senior regional director of sales. “We recognize the needs of each resident and keep their social, emotional and physical well-being top of mind. We believe that an engaged lifestyle is the key to a healthy life. We want our residents to feel independent and focus on their strengths rather than limitations – all while knowing assistance is here if needed. The care all residents receive at Waltonwood Lake Boone is unmatched in the industry and aligns with our vision of redefining retirement living. We are excited to share the opening of our assisted living and memory care community with the public and give them a glimpse into what life is like at Waltonwood Lake Boone.”

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at (919) 585-1377.

Mary Ann Emmons, 91, has lived an accomplished life and ultimately found her calling helping people learn more about who they really are. The Waltonwood Lake Boone resident is a former public schoolteacher who taught at schools across the Southern U.S. and overseas. Her husband was in the Air Force, so she and her family moved several times during his two tours abroad. One was in Turkey where she served as a teacher, and the other in England where she worked as an Anglo-American chairman for the U.S. Air Force. After her husband retired from his career in the military, the couple and their children moved to Raleigh in 1972 and opened their own success and motivation business. They would go to companies to motivate employees and do individual training for workers. After her husband died in 1975, Emmons continued to own the business. She became interested in left and right brain accelerated learning to understand how each side of the brain works and so she could better train employees.

“We were inspired to start the company while we lived and worked in England,” said Emmons. “We had a friend who retired from the business, and after traveling the world and meeting new people, we saw this as a tremendous opportunity to gain a better understanding of people. When we moved to Raleigh, we thought it was the perfect place to open the business, and we were quite successful when I retired from the company. While working, we looked at the bigger picture and what the universe had to offer. To be fruitful, you have to motivate employees, and I am proud we were able to make an impact on companies and individuals in the Triangle area.”

The business inspired Emmons to become a certified Enneagram instructor in 2005. Emmons says performing the personality profiles helped her succeed in recommending people for jobs at various companies. Her job made her look at the spiritual side of life with an understanding that people are all creations of God. Now that is she retired, she doesn’t use the Enneagram as much as before, but from time to time will perform profiles on individuals, if asked. Since opening in January, Emmons is enjoying life at Waltonwood Lake Boone, reflecting on the positive impact she made on other’s lives and appreciating what she was able to accomplish in her career.

“I found it very rewarding to be an Enneagram instructor,” said Emmons. “It’s not something everyone is able to do, and I am proud of myself for continuing to use it to help others for so long. A lot of people don’t know who they really are, so I was happy to help guide them in the right direction. It gave me a purpose in life, and it helped me realize we are more alike than we think. I am still very interested in human evolution based on spiritual laws, so from time to time I will still perform an Enneagram profile,  but nowadays you’ll find me at the senior living community enjoying my time here.”

“Mary Ann has a unique career and we are glad she shared it with us and with other residents at Waltonwood Lake Boone,” said Allison O’Shea, executive director. “She raised a family, served people through and amazing career and made a lasting impact on so many in the Raleigh area. She is very motivating, and it’s warming to see. Who knows, she may even perform an Enneagram profile on associates at the community, which I’m sure we’d all enjoy. We are proud she calls our senior living community home, and we look forward to learning more about her life.”

Most people find comfort in holiday traditions. Whether it’s building a gingerbread house, singing Christmas carols or eating a slice of grandma’s famous pie, there is something special about sharing it with loved ones year after year. Peggy Brown, 85, has a few traditions of her own. She hosts Christmas Eve dinner each year for her family, during which she makes turkey, ham, all the sides you can imagine, and pecan pie. She also attends church, and they unwrap presents. It’s something she looks forward to each year, but this year she’ll be bringing her traditions to her new home at Waltonwood Lake Boone (a premier senior living community). It’s the first holiday at the senior living community (which recently opened its doors) and the first time Brown hasn’t hosted Christmas Eve in her longtime home. The Raleigh native says it’s a sentimental feeling, but she is happy to start new traditions at the senior living community.

“Christmas is my favorite holiday,” said Brown. “It’s something I look forward to each year. I love cooking and spending quality time with my family. This year is a little different. I decided it was time to move to a senior living community and leave my home of 65 years. It was a hard decision, but it was the right one. My family is coming to my new home, and I have something special in store for them. I may not be in my kitchen cooking anymore, but it’s time to make new traditions at Waltonwood Lake Boone.”

Brown will host her family at the senior living community on Christmas Eve. Two of her children and grandchildren will join her for a chef-prepared meal in the private dining room. After the meal, they will indulge in dessert (including her famous pecan pie) in Brown’s apartment, as well as unwrap presents. Brown is thankful to spend the holidays with her family.

“I am pleased that Waltonwood Lake Boone has a private dining option so that I can host my family at the community for Christmas Eve,” said Brown. “We can all still be together for the holidays, and that is a special feeling. Even though I am not cooking, I know we are in good hands with the hospitality team at the community. I know my family is excited to join me for the holidays and experience my new home with me. I am looking forward to having the pecan pie the most. It is a special recipe that was passed down from my great-grandmother, and it’s always a hit with the family. It’s a joyous occasion, and having my loved ones here will make any worries I had go away.”

“Peggy was the very first resident of Waltonwood Lake Boone, and we are thrilled she will celebrate Christmas Eve here with her family,” said Allison O’Shea, executive director of Waltonwood Lake Boone. “We tell residents their lifestyle and traditions don’t have to change just because they move to a senior living community, and Peggy proves that. We love how she’s incorporating her holiday traditions in our community as she makes new traditions in her new home. We may need to sneak up to her apartment for a slice of pecan pie. We want all residents to enjoy the holidays, and we do all we can to ensure that.”

Waltonwood Lake Boone (a premier senior living community in Raleigh) is excited to announce its recent partnership with BAYADA Home Health Care. The organization will bring more than 43 years of compassion, excellence and reliability in home health care to Waltonwood Lake Boone residents. The partnership will allow the senior living community to provide additional resources for independent living residents, including skilled and specialized nurses, therapists and other health care professionals. BAYADA will have staff on-site as needed and an outpatient gym for residents to utilize. BAYADA will work together with other health care professionals already on the community’s team to meet the residents’ needs.

Waltonwood Lake Boone went through a lengthy interview process before selecting BAYADA as its partner. The senior living community (located at 3550 Horton Street) will have 121 independent living apartments, 39 assisted living apartments and 23 memory care apartments. The community is currently under construction and expected to open later this summer. 

“BAYADA has a strong reputation in the senior living industry, and they align with our brand and mission to redefine senior living,” said Allison O’Shea, executive director of Lake Boone. “The organization provides the medical component for our independent living residents and will have a staff at the community. If a resident comes back from the doctor and needs physical or occupational therapy, they won’t have to leave the comfort of their home to receive the service. BAYADA has the residents’ best interest in mind and will contribute to our fantastic team. Waltonwood Lake Boone and BAYADA both strive to provide a wonderful and safe life for residents, and I know we chose the right partner. We hope to include additional services for all residents in the future.”

“We are proud to partner with Waltonwood Lake Boone, which shares a similar mission and values to ours – to enable people to live safely at home with compassion, excellence, and reliability,” said David Baiada, CEO of BAYADA. “Together with the Lake Boone team, we’ll focus on delivering recovery and preventive care services that help reduce hospitalizations while improving residents’ quality of life. Our quality care services delivered by highly trained and experienced clinicians will help residents continue to live safely and independently in their community, where they want to be. We look forward to a successful care partnership with Lake Boone.”

Waltonwood Lake Boone, a family-owned senior living community, is pleased to announce the hiring of seven new members of its management team. The team will play a strategic role at Waltonwood Lake Boone, which is expected to open this summer. The community’s executive director, Allison O’Shea, is proud to announce Richard Hiatt, marketing manager; Gail Honeycutt, marketing manager; Lauren Higdon, independent living manager; Katie MacGilvray, business officer manager; Shelly Levin, life enrichment manager; Bryan Minton, culinary services manager; and John Carr, Environmental services manager. The community will have 121 independent living apartments, 39 assisted living apartments and 23 memory care apartments. The team brings years of experience to respected positions and shares a deep passion for providing seniors with a greater quality of life.

“We have a well-rounded team that is eager to serve seniors in Raleigh,” said O’Shea. “They bring experience and passion that is unmatched in this industry. The team doesn’t just see this as a job, but rather as a calling to make a difference in the lives of seniors. With their help and dedication, Waltonwood Lake Boone will redefine senior living. I am proud of the team we put together and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish. With the grand opening approaching quickly, our goal is to provide engaging amenities, independence and the best care in a safe environment for the residents.”

Richard Hiatt joins the team as marketing manager. He has experience in senior living and health environments. He also worked with nonprofit organizations in the state of North Carolina to set and reach fundraising, volunteer and attendance goals. He attended Appalachian State University where he double majored in health education and physical education.

"My family's experience with Alzheimer's and dementia made an immense impact on me personally," said Hiatt. "My mom and three aunts have been caregivers for my grandmother since 2011. That inspired me to make a difference and to help seniors. I'm looking forward to working in the three areas of senior living we offer consisting of independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

Raleigh native Gail Honeycutt has been named marketing manager at Lake Boone. She previously spent eight years at a sister community, Waltonwood Cary Parkway. Honeycutt says this community will fill a void in the area.

“A church member first told me about Waltonwood Cary Parkway opening, and I noticed my parents aging and wanted to educate myself more about senior living,” said Honeycutt. “I fell in love with the industry and the company. I developed a passion for helping seniors. It’s rewarding to make an impact on their lives, and I enjoy doing that every day.”

Lauren Higdon is excited to join the team as independent living manager. Born and raised in Virginia, Higdon moved to North Carolina after graduating from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development. She brings nearly a decade of senior living experience to her new role. Higdon initially worked as an activities coordinator at a senior living community, but soon transitioned to social work, which was a better fit with her passion for building supportive relationships and advocating for older adults.

“I became interested in this field after volunteering at a senior center and completing an internship at a retirement community.  Most of my time was spent helping with activities and engaging in conversation with the older adults,” said Higdon. “When I began college, I knew I wanted to have a career helping others in some fashion. These experiences with older adults led me to the niche I enjoy most: senior living. I am eager to build meaningful relationships and support the residents at Waltonwood Lake Boone in any way they need.”

Katie MacGilvray has been named business office manager. Originally a Wake County native, she graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology, and then attended University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she earned her Master of Science in Gerontology. MacGilvray is a certified dementia care practitioner and loves everything senior living has to offer. She most recently worked as an activity coordinator and gerontologist in Richmond, Va., and is thrilled to return home to help older adults in Raleigh age successfully.

“Waltonwood Lake Boone is the perfect place for me to continue serving seniors,” said MacGilvray. “We offer the highest quality of care and tremendous opportunities for resident to enjoy the best aspects of life. I deeply value the care and passion that goes into helping older adults and can’t wait to establish relationships with residents of Lake Boone.”

Shelly Levin is excited to join the Waltonwood team as the life enrichment manager. Originally a New York native, North Carolina won her heart over a decade ago. She brings with her a strong and comprehensive background in life enrichment and the creative arts world.  As a former owner of a Paint Your Own Pottery studio, it was her mission to engage a diverse group of people and teach art in a variety of medias not exclusive to pottery.  Her previous senior living experience with life engagement resulted in the implementation of new programs that were consistently well attended.

"Creating camaraderie and a sense of community through meaningful interaction are my pillars of success, and I look to instill a sense of delight and fulfillment within the residents I serve," said Levin.  “In my role, I will be responsible for developing the monthly activities which will include residents' hobbies, excursions, entertainment and elegant galas catered to the community's desires.  My goal is to help foster an atmosphere that caters to the life interests of individual residents and to the community."

Taking on the role as culinary services manager is Bryan Minton. The chef, who cooked for troops overseas, has 15 years of experience in the food service industry and is looking forward to elevating residents’ taste buds through his cooking. He loves creating community through food and using the freshest ingredients possible to produce unique dishes.

“I’ve enjoyed every job I’ve had in the food service industry, and I am really excited to serve seniors at Waltonwood Lake Boone,” Minton said. “It feels like I am giving back again, and that’s a great feeling. I want to get to know all the residents and learn their preferences. It’s exciting that Waltonwood Lake Boone provides high-caliber dining for the residents to enjoy. It shows they care.”

Rounding out the team is John Carr, who will serve as the Environmental Services Manager. The Pennsylvania native has 30 years of experience in residential and commercial building maintenance and construction. He successfully owned his own HVAC company before selling it and moving to Raleigh. When he arrived in North Carolina, he started his own construction company and ran it for 17 years before getting back into maintenance.

“I love spending time with seniors and hearing all of their stories,” said Carr. “I worked in retirement communities for the last eight years and have learned so much about different residents and about myself. I am thrilled our doors are about to open, and I look forward to meeting each resident and providing a place they love to call home.”

Located in the heart of Raleigh, the community will offer a wide variety of amenities ranging from state-of-the-art fitness equipment specifically designed for seniors to massage therapy, scenic courtyards with relaxing gazebos, elegant dining areas and much more.