Every winter, Clair and Lorraine Wagner gently unwrap a lifetime of memories. GRATITUDEEVERY YEAR


Sixty-five ornaments (and counting) – unique, but each hung on a red ribbon, tell the story of their lives. And this year, Landis Communities was a special part of that story.


L


orraine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease almost 30 years ago, so the Wagners first heard about Landis Communities through a Parkinson’s Support Group.


“Landis Homes has been the leader for Parkinson’s disease among all the retirement homes in the county,” Clair notes. Te meetings were attended by 150 or more people each month, and the Wagners were encouraged by the support and learning opportunities.


“When it came time to move, we didn’t apply anywhere else,” adds Clair. A retired United Methodist pastor, both Clair and his wife are lifelong Lancaster County residents—Clair from Mount Joy and Lorraine from Conestoga.


Each year at Christmas, the Wagner family selects the most special event of their year and makes an ornament to honor that memory. For example, they hung wedding rings for their first married Christmas and a special baby item for the years their sons were born. For this most recent year, Clair and Lorraine agreed that the most influential part of their year was the decision to bring in the Landis at Home team to assist with Lorraine’s care.


“I made the ornament this year as simple as I could,” Clair says. “It’s the printed Landis at Home logo, strung on our red ribbon with the year 2023.”


18 • Landis.org | FLOURISH | Spring 2024


As Lorraine’s needs have increased, the services of Landis at Home have been an invaluable asset to the couple. “Workers come here six mornings a week for an hour and a half each day,” Lorraine explains. “Tey take me through exercises, and it gives Clair some ‘me time’ each morning.”


“Te ladies have become very fine friends for Lorraine,” Clair shares. “Tere is a joy they bring when they come. Tere’s no question about that, and they certainly show a lot of compassion while they are here.”


Even though the ornaments get packed away in January, the Wagners are grateful year-round for 65 ornaments representing a full life. Teir sons are continuing the family tradition in their own homes, promising the preservation of annual memories for generations to come.


CULTIVATING WELLNESS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24