News Archives - Page 2 of 7 - John Knox Village

Entry into Nautilus Bar at John Knox Village

JKV Wins Platinum Award for Innovative Dining Design

November 5, 2025/in News

Environments For Aging, October 17, 2025

by Robert McCune | Editor

Trends: What’s Driving Dining in Senior Living?

Dining spaces in senior living communities are evolving to provide not just a meal, but an experience that’s designed to fuel connection and belonging. “Dining is such an important part of everyone’s lives…and it’s a large piece of the social life of residents on a senior living campus,” says Brandon Dilla, a senior associate at Perkins Eastman.

At John Knox Village in Pompano Beach, Florida, a campus redevelopment started with adding two new luxury residential towers and event space before an opportunity arose to also improve and expand the community’s dining offering as part of an “experience district.” At the time, the luxury independent and assisted living community had a small cafe and one main cafeteria-style dining building, which “wasn’t really giving residents the choice they are looking for in their community,” says Dilla, who was the architectural designer and project manager.

During the phased project, the design team replaced the main cafeteria with five distinct restaurant-style venues that support residents’ desire to choose what and where they eat. The project took home the top Platinum Award in Environments in Aging’s 2025 Dining Competition.

The refreshed dining offerings also connect to the experience district’s social, cultural, fitness and residential components via pedestrian pathways along the lake, creating a heart of activity on campus, Dilla says. “The evolution of dining into a more experiential environment isn’t something that’s going to go away, he says. “Communities are working to step up their game as they reposition their offerings for future residents.”

Read the full story here.

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a personal tour.

JKV resident at on-site vaccine clinic getting a COVID vaccine

JKV Brings COVID and Flu Vaccines On-Site to Protect Residents and Staff

October 31, 2025/in News

TAPinto Pompano Beach, October 10, 2025

by Jeff Yastine | Editor

POMPANO BEACH — As fall and winter approach, John Knox Village is continuing its proactive health measures by offering on-site COVID-19 and flu vaccines to residents and employees.

Bob Atkins, a Vietnam veteran, was one of the 400 residents who were registered for the event: “I’ve always gotten the flu shot, my wife and I, every year, so I think it’s important,” he said. “The ease of getting the shot here, so close, I can walk right over and get it.”

At the onset of the pandemic, John Knox Village was among the first communities in Florida to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Douglas Folsom, COO of John Knox Village, said that since then, the organization continues to raise awareness among residents about the importance of staying up to date on vaccinations.

“We’ve brought the vaccine to the community. We bring our flu shots to the community. Why? Because we want to make it convenient for our employees and our residents,” he said. “When COVID hit, we really made a conscious effort to protect not only our employees, but also our residents. Our job here is to protect our residents and take care of them.”

Read the full story here.

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a personal tour.

Jennifer Stevens, VP of Healthcare at John Knox Village

JKV in the News: Jennifer Stevens, a Woman of Influence

October 24, 2025/in News

Lifestyle Magazine, September 2025

Jennifer Stevens, JKV’s Vice President of Healthcare was selected by Lifestyle Magazine as a Woman of Influence as part of their feature story, spotlighting changemakers who are shaping our world. This honor aims to introduce us to leaders in the community who make a difference in South Florida business and community involvement.

As the leader of the healthcare team at John Knox Village, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Pompano Beach, Florida, she has inspired the healthcare team to not only care for JKV’s residents, but to also get to know them deeply as individuals.

As a serving member on the Board of Trustees for LeadingAge Southeast, representing CCRCs in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, Jennifer is able to participate in the annual legislative session in Tallahassee, engaging directly with Florida senators and representatives to help shape policies that impact older adult healthcare.

Read the full story here.

Jennifer is one of the exceptional leaders at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach, Florida. We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, our outstanding team, and the remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a personal visit.

senior man petting a maltese dog as part of canine assisted therapy

JKV in the News: Canine Assisted Therapy Brings Its Furry Friends to John Knox

August 12, 2025/in News

The New Pelican, August 7, 2025

by Michael d’Oliveira | Editor

The dogs of Canine Assisted Therapy (CAT) visit the residents at John Knox Village twice a month, bringing joy to the residents living in JKV’s Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing homes.

“When you pet a dog for 15 minutes, it lowers blood pressure and cortisol (stress hormones),” said Rosemary Blumberg, a certified therapeutic recreation therapist. Blumberg brings Toby, her golden doodle, on regular visits to senior care facilities, hospitals, libraries, and other places around the county where people might benefit from pet therapy.

“The biggest benefit is that he brings smiles to people’s faces…It makes them happy,” says Blumberg. “It brings up a lot of emotions.”

“You can feel the magic of the moment when these dogs walk into the room — faces light up, energy shifts, and there’s an instant sense of connection. It’s a beautiful reminder of the comfort and joy animals bring to our lives,” wrote Jackie Ducci, the founder of The Human-Animal Alliance, in an email.

Said John Knox Village resident Will about the visit to John Knox, “It was a treat.”

Read the full story here.

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a personal tour.

The New Pelican front page, July 3, 2025

JKV in the News: “Scooter” Hayes, Resident Spotlight

July 17, 2025/in News

If it can be done sitting down, she can do it.

Although John Knox Village resident Terry “Scooter” Hayes is confined to a wheelchair due to a neurological disorder, she remains more active than many people.

Hayes, 66, suffers from primary cerebellar degeneration, which has resulted in complete paralysis in her legs. However, her slight, small-framed body seated on a wheelchair belies what she’s been able to accomplish despite her physical limitations. At age 63, she competed on the U.S. Wheelchair Fencing team at the 2020 Paralympics Games in Tokyo. She was the oldest member of the team, having to compete against others as young as teens.

“Scooter” Hayes, Paralympian, U.S. Wheelchair Fencing Team

When confronted with the reality of the mobility challenges she’d be facing with her medical condition, she told her doctors, “I’m not gonna live like that. I’m gonna live.”

Read the full story here.

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a personal tour.

McKnights Senior Living: From Tragedy, a Chance for Education

July 14, 2025/in News

The death of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa was a heartbreaking reminder that aging at home can come with unforeseen challenges.

At age 95, beloved actor Gene Hackman was aging at home with his 65-year old wife, Betsy Arakawa as his caretaker. When Betsy fell ill from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, she passed in their home, leaving Gene without a caretaker which led to his demise days later.

What happened to Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa was devastating and tragic, and it’s an example of what can go wrong when older adults choose to age in place.

As a guest columnist for McKnights Senior Living, Kim Ali, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at John Knox Village of Florida hopes that education about life-plan communities as an option for seniors, in light of this tragedy, may prevent this from happening to others.

Read the full story here.

VP of Sales & Marketing, Kim Ali

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a visit.

JKV in the News: At the Apex: ‘Best in Wellness’ Senior Living Communities

April 10, 2025/in News

John Knox Village of Pompano Beach, Florida, proudly announces being awarded a 2023 ICAA NuStep Pinnacle and Beacon Award for “Best in Wellness”. The “Best in Wellness” awards shine a light on senior living communities that lead the way in a comprehensive and evolving approach to wellness that enhances the lives of residents and employees.

Although the Journal on Active Aging previously announced the names of 2023’s winners, they are being featured again as part of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) published series, highlighting the ICAA NuStep Beacon and Pinnacle Awards’ winning communities.

ICAA awards 25 senior living communities each year with their NuStep Beacon award, recognizing senior living communities that lead the industry in making wellness an integral part of community life. With only the Top 5 receiving the prestige of the Pinnacle award, John Knox Village of Florida is proud to be recognized as one of them.

Read the full article here!

JKV in the News: Celebrating an Emerging Role: Resident Technology Support

March 18, 2025/in News

CAST’s Scott Code, in observance of Careers in Aging month, lauds the impact of and opportunities in teaching older adults “the language of technology.”

Scott Code, Program Director of Resident Technology at Selfhelp Community services, a LeadingAge CAST Patron was curious to learn how the role of Resident Technology Support has evolved over the years and asked our own Technology Engagement Coordinator, Jason Cook, about his trajectory.

Cook tells LeadingAge he was inspired to pursue work in the field about 10 years ago, when he saw an older woman at the mall staring in confusion at a brand-new iPhone her daughter had just handed to her. He realized that many older adults had never been taught the language of technology, and an entire segment of the population was being left behind.

Cook founded and ran his own tech-support business serving older adults until the pandemic, moved to a technology consultancy, and then came in-house at John Knox Village.

Now, he devotes his energy to making technology more accessible and less intimidating for community members. He offers a variety of classes, covering everything from smartphone basics to navigating the community’s cable system, and introduced virtual reality events, where residents can explore the world from the comfort of the community’s tech center.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is witnessing those ‘A-ha!’ moments when a resident realizes they can see family photos on their phone, have groceries delivered the same day, or video call loved ones across the globe,” said Cook. “The peace of mind this service provides is invaluable.”

Read the full story here.

technology teacher helping a senior with her tablet

Jason Cook, Technology Engagement Coordinator for John Knox Village of Florida instructs resident Benita Ferrara on her laptop during a class.

Technology Engagement Coordinator, Jason Cook, offers one-on-one support and personal technology classes to help JKV’s nearly 1,000 independent living residents navigate technology on their devices.

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a visit.

JKV in the News: Rita Reo, Resident Spotlight

March 18, 2025/in News

Up, up and away: John Knox Village resident looks back on her career as a pilot

Not too many of us can look back on our lives and say we helped break the mold. However, John Knox Village resident Rita Reo can certainly lay claim to those bragging rights.

In the 1970’s, many young women chose to pursue traditional careers like nursing and secretarial work. Not Reo. She was busy learning to master the art of flying the friendly skies — literally. Reo, now 70, became a commercial airline pilot for U.S. Airways when most young women wouldn’t have dreamt of such a thing.

JKV resident and former commercial pilot Rita Reo. Photo credit Martin Lenkowsky/New Pelican

During her fascinating career, she flew many times with Chesley Burnett Sullenberger, known worldwide by his more familiar nickname, “Sully,” who in 2009 famously landed U.S. Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River when both engines were disabled after striking a flock of birds. Also as part of her fascinating career, she recalls her experience flying on the tragic morning of September 11th, 2001.

Read the full story here.

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a personal tour.

McKnights Senior Living: Technology Coordinators Help Operators in ‘Bridging Gaps and Trailblazing New Paths’

March 3, 2025/in News

Technology is flooding into — and changing — senior living communities.

Technology support no longer is a luxury but a necessity, as senior living residents bring wearables, cell phones and gadgets with artificial intelligence into their living spaces. At the same time, communities are scrambling to keep up with their residents as well as advanced technology that has become a necessity in everyday life.

Enter the technology coordinator, helping communities bridge the gap between lifestyle convenience and operational efficiency.

John Knox Village of Florida located in Pompano Beach recognized this need, and created a needed role in 2023. Enter Technology Engagement Coordinator, Jason Cook, who offers one-on-one support and personal technology classes to help JKV’s nearly 1,000 independent living residents navigate technology on their devices.

Read the full story here.

Jason Cook, Technology Engagement Coordinator for John Knox Village of Florida instructs resident Benita Ferrara on her laptop during a class.

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a visit.