DATE: Sunday, May 25, 1997                  TAG: 9705230265

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   58 lines

AWARDS PRESENTED FOR SERVICE TO SENIORS

Life is still worth living.

That's the philosophy at Marian Manor Retirement Community, where a dynamic activities schedule, individualized care and community outreach help its 150 residents enjoy their golden years.

Their satisfaction used to be Marian Manor's little secret. But not anymore. The Mayor's Committee for the Aging gave the assisted living facility an award for distinguished service to seniors last week at the Senior Showcase of Services held at the Central Library.

Committee member Tom Grubbs, who chaired the subcommittee that selected Marian Manor as the winning organization and another entry as the winning individual, said that they received about six nominations each for both categories. The award for individual accomplishments was actually given to a group of individuals this year: the Youth Activities Unit of the Parks and Recreation Department

``Most of the nominations came from the city for the various rec centers for their senior programs,'' Grubbs said. ``Marian Manor was the only nongovernmental nomination, and they were doing something above and beyond.''

What swayed the committee toward Marian Manor for the organization award was its unique approach to retirement living. For example, a men's group was formed last year for male residents to go fishing, play pool and visit Hooters restaurant.

Marian Manor also sponsors a series of luncheon cruises on the Spirit of Norfolk for more than 500 seniors on a limited income. It hosts a popular ``Heart to Heart'' Valentine's Day dance every year and is active in many senior groups such as Widowed Persons Service, the TRIAD/SALT partnership and the Virginia Beach Task Force on Aging.

The state health department has even given Marian Manor a 100 percent rating for top-quality health care services.

But perhaps the biggest reason for the award is the specialized care that residents receive.

The staff took a former librarian who has Alzheimer's to the Central Library so she could see the differences between it and the one she worked in during the 1930s. A resident who loves horses was visited by the Virginia Beach Mounted Police, thrilling him to no end.

Administrator Irvin Land, who also won this year's administrator of the year award by the state activity professionals association, said that they were ``quite honored'' by the award.

``We promote our residents going out in the community and, in turn, the community coming to them,'' he said. ``It makes that circle complete. What really makes the difference is the people who live here.''

About the Youth Activities Unit of the Parks and Recreation Department's selection, Grubbs said it sponsors a before and after school program where children spend part of their time in service to seniors.

One group of students made a quilt for a local retirement home and another group made gingerbread houses at Christmas for residents of several nursing homes. They continue to visit the residents on a monthly basis, said Grubbs.

``It's a very good intergenerational activity,'' he said. ``We look for those people and organizations who have made exceptional contributions to the senior community.''

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