• Studying aging as life: when Erickson realized that university programs only addressed aging as a disease, the company founded The Erickson School of Aging Studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Now students will not only continue to study the mental and physical processes of aging, they will learn to analyze public policy, and develop the specialized management skills necessary to serve this rapidly-growing segment of our population.
Exclusive Health Care Innovation
The Erickson chief executive also spoke about the launch of a new health care plan available exclusively to people living in Erickson communities.
Instead of waiting until an illness requires acute care, Erickson Advantage* focuses resources on a preventative approach that helps people maintain their health and independence, and reduces the need for hospitalization. Expected to be available in Texas early next year, it is currently the only private plan for seniors authorized by Medicare.
Lights! Cameras! Retirement Living TV!
Lamenting the mainstream media stereotypes, Mr. Erickson also announced the launch of Retirement Living TV, a new cable television venture designed to inform, involve, and inspire the growing senior audience. Programming will cover topics of special interest to older Americans, and celebrate their many significant contributions and accomplishments.
Now being broadcast on the Comcast Network in the northeastern states, Retirement Living is also available on the Erickson channel at Highland Springs. The overwhelmingly positive initial response to the regional launch has prompted plans to expand nationwide in the coming months.
Words of Welcome, and a Challenge
The crowd of approximately 500 also heard from two native Texans with a unique connection to Highland Springs.
Ed Armstrong
and wife
Janelle traveled from their home at Eagle’s Trace, Erickson’s Houston community, to welcome the Highland Springs pioneers to the Erickson family. But unable to resist fanning the flames of the long standing rivalry between the state’s two largest cities, Ed issued a challenge:
“One of the first things we ran into when we moved to Eagle’s Trace was a one-day exercise contest between all the Erickson communities. We were a brand new development, and do you know we won it!
“They’ve started another one for this September … and we’re going to win this one, too. You’re too late for this year, but I’m challenging you all next September. We’re going to beat you.”
Snip! It’s Official
The opening ceremony concluded with Helen and Herb Hoxie, Highland Springs ambassadors, cutting the opening ribbon—just as expected, right on schedule, one year to the day.
*For more information, visit www.ericksoncommunities.com/wellness