July 23, 2025 —At Kendal at Lexington, aging is viewed as a dynamic opportunity to live with purpose, build community, and lead with compassion.
Rooted in Quaker values of integrity, equality, simplicity, and shared responsibility, the community continues to redefine what it means to age well by honoring the wisdom and strength of older adults — and the power of coming together.
Residents Collaborate to Welcome Their Peers
The Residents Helping Residents (RHR) initiative, conceived by resident Bob Harrison and supported by a growing team of volunteers, embodies the spirit of mutual support that defines the Kendal at Lexington experience.
The RHR team comprises longtime residents who bring practical skills, tools, and a wealth of wisdom and compassion. Working directly with new neighbors, they answer questions, offer safety recommendations, and even help them settle in within days of arrival. These early moments of connection help set the tone for a new resident’s entire Kendal experience.
Designed to ease the transition for new residents, RHR addresses various items, such as hanging pictures, programming thermostats and checking locks, often within the first days after a resident’s arrival.
“The culture here is the dominant asset,” Bob explained. “This is friends helping friends — no risk involved — and we’re all in this together.”
This resident-driven program also works seamlessly with the support of Kendal at Lexington’s new Move-In Coordinator, Sharon White. In her role, Sharon acts as the liaison between incoming residents and the RHR volunteers, ensuring that requests are clearly communicated and assigned to volunteers.
Sharon and resident volunteers led the committee’s kickoff meeting to review essential tools, outline anticipated needs and clarify volunteer roles. New residents receive this information, so they understand what services are available and who will help them feel welcome as they begin their new journey at Kendal at Lexington.
“My job is to be a reassuring presence for joining us at Kendal at Lexington,” said Sharon. “This is one of life’s biggest transitions, and we’re here to make it a little easier, one day at a time.”
Kendal at Lexington residents believe that aging is not something to endure but something to embrace. Through shared effort, mutual care and a steadfast commitment to the community, residents show that purpose does not fade with age.
“This is a powerful example of how Kendal at Lexington continues to live out its mission not just as a place to live, but as a community where people truly care for one another,” said Felicia Bush, Chief Financial Officer of Kendal at Lexington. “As true ambassadors for one another, residents have chosen to lead with purpose and that independence continues to inspire all of us.”