Aging Well: Eskaton's Approach is Care, Connection and Community.

Can you imagine a world where reaching the age of 100 is not just a milestone but a joyful norm? This latest episode uncovers the secrets of aging well as shared by Sheri Peifer, President and CEO of Eskaton.  Gain insights into how community and connections are vital in promoting a longer, richer life. Sheri reveals how Eskaton, a leading nonprofit in Northern California, is redefining senior living through personalized services that far exceed the typical senior care model.

We'll explore Eskaton's innovative approach to elder care, catering to diverse needs from independent living to skilled nursing. Sheri shares the organization's dedication to providing affordable housing for seniors, regardless of income, and how being a nonprofit allows them to reinvest any profits into community support. We also discuss Eskaton's deep-rooted understanding of California's unique landscape and how it benefits not only their residents but also their dedicated staff of over 1,700 employees.

Celebrating the lives of centenarians in Eskaton's vibrant community, Sheri talks about the intergenerational programs that enrich residents' lives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and purposeful living. As we brace for a demographic shift with more people reaching their golden years, we emphasize the importance of proactive planning and the vital role of elder care professionals. Enoy this conversation on how to ensure a fulfilling, quality aging experience.

To learn more about Eskaton visit the website HERE or call 866-375-2866

Chapter Summaries

(00:00) Aging Well
Eskaton adapts to aging population, Blue Zones promote longevity and community, age-friendly communities offer choices for aging well.

(06:35) Senior Living Services and Partnerships
Eskaton offers diverse senior living services in Northern California, tailored to specific markets and supported by a nonprofit model.

(22:48) Living to 100
Eskaton celebrates centenarians, promotes purposeful living, and fosters intergenerational connections through continuous learning.

(30:34) Preparing for Aging Population Growth
Proactive planning for aging, community living in facilities like Eschaton, and support for seniors by organizations with large employee bases.

Thank you so much for listening! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

Transcript

Sheri Peifer: [00:00:00] I think it's also just recognizing that all of us have that opportunity to live in the moment, and I think that's important. As we age and we talk about aging, a lot of times people don't wanna talk about aging, and so I believe I. It's truly important for each of us to take that opportunity to live in the moment, to ensure that we're doing the best for ourselves and others, and creating that community.

Jeff Holden: Hi, I'm Jeff Holden. Welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. Our purpose and passion is to highlight a nonprofit organization in each weekly episode, giving that organization an opportunity to tell their story in their words, to better inform and educate the respective communities they serve, as well as provide one more tool for [00:01:00] them to share their message to constituents and donors.

Our goal is to help build stronger communities through shared voices, and to both encourage and support the growth of local nonprofit organizations through podcasting, thanks to our founding partners for their foresight in helping us transform the way conversations start. CAPTRUST fiduciary advice for endowments and foundations and Western Health Advantage, a full service healthcare plan for individuals, employer groups, and families.

As our population ages, our oldest boomers are now 79 years old. Society faces mounting concerns around healthcare, financial security, and caregiving. The healthcare system is strained by rising demand for chronic care. We're experiencing a shortage of providers and ballooning Medicare costs. Many seniors lack sufficient retirement savings and long-term care planning, making them vulnerable to financial stress and elder abuse.

Further exacerbating an already difficult situation. Aging in [00:02:00] places preferred, but few homes are properly equipped. Social isolation, mental health challenges and limited support systems further complicate aging, inadequate end of life Planning leaves families to navigate difficult decisions without guidance.

While we can't solve the problems that present themselves, we do have solutions that have been in place. They can't be expected to be the panacea to our aging societal issues, but they're a start. The more familiar they are, the more experienced they are, the more opportunities they can represent, the better.

My guest, Sheri Peifer, is an expert in this space as she's president and CEO of one of the region's, oldest and most familiar names in senior care and housing. Serving our region for over 55 years. Eskaton has become synonymous with support for an aging population. Sheri Peifer, welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast Network.

Sheri Peifer: Thank you so much for having me today. I am looking forward to our conversation. 

Jeff Holden: Oh boy. Is it gonna be an interesting one because of just the [00:03:00] demography of the universe we live in? And let me, let me start with that because we've got some very sobering numbers that they astound me when we, we think about it.

Eskaton had the foresight to open. 55 years or so ago. Little did you know what it would look like today in the fact that over 10,000 people turn 65 every day. Every day. And the trend has been going on since 2011 and will be expected to continue through 2030. Last year we saw the greatest surge of Americans turning 65 years old.

More than 11,200 Americans will turn 65 every day from 2024 last year through 2027, 11,000. The number of older adults are expected to double over the next several decades, and by 2050 we, I'll point to myself, will represent more than 20% of the [00:04:00] population. That's an amazing, astounding fact. 

Sheri Peifer: It is a dramatic shift.

And I think the other element to that is that we are living longer. And so for Eskaton, we mostly serve people in their eighties, nineties, and a hundreds. And so when you look at that demographic shift, truly those over the age of 85 are growing and burgeoning because the boomer population is turning 80 this year.

Jeff Holden: We're living longer. Yes, we are living well because of medical advances, because of good health and just the general interest. I mean, the boomers don't ever want to give it up. They wanted everything when they had it. And we are still here. You know, I, I sometimes I'm excited to say I'm a boomer, and then sometimes it's like, well, I am a boomer.

Sheri Peifer: And the expectations are changing 

Jeff Holden: Yes. 

Sheri Peifer: Of [00:05:00] what individuals would like to see as they age. And there are many more options and choices available, which I think is exciting. 

Jeff Holden: We were talking just a, a few minutes before we started about our parents, and my dad was 89 when he passed about five years ago. He had.

No interest in going into any sort of a facility, but today the facilities are very acceptable and they're almost of interest because they give community. 

Sheri Peifer: I love that you just said that word community, and that is actually via research shown to improve longevity is when we are in a sense of community social connections, good nutrition opportunities, being able to live.

Community. Mm-hmm. Really allows people to flourish. It keeps us cognitively, physically able and connected. So that adds life to our ears. 

Jeff Holden: The blue Zone? 

Sheri Peifer: Yes. 

Jeff Holden: [00:06:00] Books and, and Serial. That was on television. I. One thing, you, you look and you say, oh, well, oh, they drink in Italy, they drink. That's good. I, I drink, oh, no.

Over there in Greece, they, they climb a mountain every day. It's, it's, you know, 4,200 steps. Right. Just to get to see their friends. Mm-hmm. And you know, over in Japan, they, they just eat rice. So it's a diet. But the common thread in all of them is community. 

Sheri Peifer: You nailed it. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah. 

Sheri Peifer: I believe that is something our nation needs to pay attention to.

The way our communities are designed in terms of cities and suburbs, are they age friendly? Mm-hmm. Do we have the opportunities for people to connect easily? Because we do rely on transportation. 

Jeff Holden: Right? Right. 

Sheri Peifer: And so in those villages, in other parts of the the world, it is more natural to have the interconnectedness that kind of supports that sense of [00:07:00] connection or community.

Jeff Holden: You know? That's so true. When you think about it. Those are all walking areas. Yes. You, in Europe, we walk all over the place. When we visit, they walk every day for their living. 

Sheri Peifer: That's right. I. Gardening. I mean, it's just the natural movement. It doesn't have to be, oh, you know, go run that marathon when you're nerd 

Jeff Holden: and yoga class.

Exactly. It's natural 

Sheri Peifer: movement. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, 

Sheri Peifer: and I think the Blue Zones really elevated understanding around. Healthy eating engagement. I like that you brought up the, the drinking of wine, but really it's in social community settings. Yes. It's not just off by yourself in your own home. And so that's something new for this nation that we need to contend with because Eskaton, even though we have residential communities, which are campus settings mm-hmm.

We also believe that people want more choice to age well at home. And so how are we creating hubs? For our campuses [00:08:00] open to those living in their own neighborhoods, their homes of decades, right? And how do we connect people to that hub of support, connection, community, wonderful food, et cetera, 

Jeff Holden: which they don't have to cook, 

Sheri Peifer: right?

Jeff Holden: Eskaton was born and raised on many acquisitions of healthcare facilities over time, and the expertise you got as a result of that makes the specialties you have unique. Tell us a little bit about how that's come to be and what it looks like today. 

Sheri Peifer: Yes, of course. So our, our origins were really in that sense of care with.

Basically starting as hospitals. Yeah. And in the eighties we morphed into the residential living and also skilled nursing. And now when we look at 20, 25 and beyond, we're looking at more residential options. And so I. Having the core or the foundation being in care and quality is [00:09:00] critical because that's who we are in our DNA.

Mm-hmm. And then we also recognize that service, customer service exceeding expectations on the life enrichment, lifelong learning side, that all of those things really are about supporting people. 

Jeff Holden: What do the facilities look like? Are they all similar in the provision of services that they provide? 

Sheri Peifer: So when you ask the question around what does Eskaton communities look like, yes.

I think the beauty of Eskaton is we are really different. We are not a cookie cutter organization. Many times you'll see other options out there that are, you can say, oh, that's, that's a certain type of community, and they have. You know, 15 of those, or 20 of those. Mm-hmm. Eskaton, our approach has always been to understand what the market wants in a community.

For example, in Placerville, we have beautiful village community up there with patio homes that are for [00:10:00] sale. They're fee titled, so there are people who come in and purchase their own home, and it's around a center of cottages for independent living, assisted living, and memory care. I would say for the majority of what Eskaton provides, it's independent living options, assisted living and memory care.

And on three of our different campuses, we also offer rehabilitation and skilled nursing. 

Jeff Holden: So in those facilities where you have the ability to purchase a unit, do you also have in every one of those, the ability to grow into staying on campus? So maybe you can't any longer. Maintain an independent lifestyle in that particular unit that you own.

Now you need some assisted care and or memory care. As it progresses? 

Sheri Peifer: Yes. So Eskaton has different models available for different interests of people. For example, we have opportunities for people to [00:11:00] rent with servicing services included in that monthly rent. Mm-hmm. And then we have options where people can buy a membership.

That's typically called here in California, a life plan community or a continuing care retirement community. 

Scott Thomas: Okay. And 

Sheri Peifer: so we have several of those options where you purchase a membership in independent living, and then as your needs change, you can have some I. Personal support in your apartment or cottage or, we also have assisted living, memory care, rehab and skilled, so those, especially for partners who, where one partner may need a higher level of service, then it's really nice to be on a campus that has those supportive options and you're able to access those and be close to your loved one as well.

Jeff Holden: Oh, so truly, yeah. You may have somebody in a, a family situation, husband or wife needs the additional care. Yes, 

Sheri Peifer: exactly. 

Jeff Holden: They. You get to stay on campus. It's not like you have to go to a hospital or anything else. Exactly. Okay. That's, that's, that's wonderful. You mentioned Placerville. What is the geography you [00:12:00] cover?

How many locations do you have? 

Sheri Peifer: So Eskaton is Northern California based currently, and so we reach over from Placerville Grass Valley. We have affordable senior housing, which is a. An apartment style option for people on very limited incomes. So we have 13 campuses across Northern California for those on very limited incomes.

And then we have 11 residential living campuses. Mm-hmm. Ranging from over in Burlingame, south of San Francisco to all the way, of course, greater Sacramento is our density. Right. But we have several in the Bay Area and so really Northern California based is our. Sweet spot. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, what a nice platform. Not to mention for the companies that come into California via acquisition, they don't understand the nuance of California.

Sheri Peifer: Well, California is very special. 

Jeff Holden: Yes. That we know in so many ways. Some people are like, 

Sheri Peifer: I will never operate in California. And [00:13:00] others are like, oh my goodness, I'm glad I, I know all the nuances of California. 'cause it is, it is different and unique. 

Jeff Holden: Right. And you're a large organization as much as it's challenging for you with all the issues you have to do, 'cause you have healthcare and everything else on top of that.

That's right. Even as a small business, just those endemic challenges of operating in the state. So for people who tried to come in and think, oh, we're gonna do great End California, you know, maybe not. So you, it's really important to find somebody who understands California because you're not gonna have to deal with those hurdles.

I. Of error in education. Why they try to learn and figure it out. 

Sheri Peifer: That's right. And I think very importantly, when we think of about our employees, we have about 1700 employees at Eskaton. One of my 

Jeff Holden: questions, thank you. 

Sheri Peifer: And we care deeply about these individuals who are truly called to what we do. It's not easy work all the time.

Totally agree with that. And so we. Take care of our employees through a self-insured health plan. We have a [00:14:00] corporate wellness program and we, we think about ways to enhance their lives. Mm-hmm. Because ultimately your, your care team is the closest person or people to our customer, the older adult. 

Jeff Holden: True.

Especially if you have no children. 

Sheri Peifer: That's right. 

Jeff Holden: No heirs. That's it. That's right. The care team is their family. 

Sheri Peifer: We often hear that from our team members is that they are an extension of the care network, if you will. The Yes, the family. 

Jeff Holden: Let's take a quick break from our conversation with Sheri Peifer of Eskaton to hear from the people who make this program possible.

Scott Thomas: Hello, this is Scott Thomas with CAPTRUST in our Sacramento office. I specialize in working with local nonprofits and associations. Annually, we survey private and public nonprofit organizations across the country to better understand challenges they see in today's environment. In our more recent survey, we heard concerns about proper board governance, mission aligned investment, and how to [00:15:00] implement alternative investments.

If you would like a copy of the survey or to discuss your organization, look me up, scottThomas@captrust.com. 

Jeff Holden: I'm thrilled to have Western Health Advantage partnering with us as they do so much to support so many nonprofit agencies in our community. As a truly local health plan, you'll find individual and family options, employer options plans for CalPERS and Medicare Advantage.

From medical services to pharmacy health and wellness support, as well as behavioral healthcare. Western Health Advantage has a plan that fits what you need as an employer for profit or nonprofit business, individual or family. You can find more@westernhealth.com. Let's talk a little bit about funding, because I think people will have a perception that, especially hearing, well, they came from the hospital system and they have these, these facilities.

What? What? They're a nonprofit. And you are a nonprofit. That's right. And I think most people don't realize that many of our hospital systems are also nonprofits. That's right. [00:16:00] Hence the opportunity to speak on the program. But it's important for people to understand. How you're funded. So how does the organization maintain itself?

Sheri Peifer: Yeah, so Eskaton as a community-based nonprofit organization basically means that we are expected by our volunteer board of directors to operate sustainable business. And so we are guided and held accountable to good business practices within the organization and to operate successful businesses.

With that, the differentiator is how we utilize our profits. Mm-hmm. So the profit margin that Eskaton makes, which any business, nonprofit or for-profit should have a reasonable profit margin, those profits are not given to investors or. Other syndicates, they are invested back into the communities.

They're invested back into the organization. Oftentimes we learn that we've done some [00:17:00] comparisons. We have some higher staffing ratios than other entities that are not, uh, nonprofit. Mm-hmm. And then we also have the opportunity to have some of those funds go to support individuals who can't afford.

Services. Mm-hmm. So we do a lot of community based services. We, uh, have a partnership with Institute on Aging where we, it's called the Friendship Line. And so we invest in that and we also call people. So we work together to call people at home who are isolated. And so there's a lot of What a nice service that's, yeah.

So there's a lot of other services that we invest in that help the broader community, hence community-based nonprofit. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. And you mentioned 1700 employees. What is the, the overall budget that you work with? 

Sheri Peifer: Yeah, so Eskaton, as you mentioned earlier, is kind of a, a mid-level organization. Our revenues are typically around the 150 million [00:18:00] mark.

Mm-hmm. We also manage communities as well, so that basically means that we have a hub of support that we extend to other campuses that. Perhaps have their own board of directors or their own ownership entity, and then we extend management services to operate their communities. 

Jeff Holden: Fee for service income.

Sheri Peifer: Yes. So it's a management fee income. So, but the majority of people who access Eskaton services, it's private pay market rate. 

Jeff Holden: Okay. 

Sheri Peifer: When we utilize third party payers, for example, are in Medicare or Medicaid, when people are transitioning out of the hospital, as you mentioned, and need some rehabilitation, they need skilled nursing services, that's when we access the third party payment.

And it truly Eskaton at this point is probably 70%, 70, 75% private pay. On our [00:19:00] affordable housing side. That's very interesting. Mm-hmm. Because those who are extremely low income or low income. It's based on your average median income of the, of the county. 

Jeff Holden: Well, you know, and that's really important that you bring that up.

Mm-hmm. Because I don't know if I realize that you have an affordable housing element as well. 

Sheri Peifer: Yes. And that's 

Jeff Holden: gonna get you into some, some grant-based Yes. Opportunities. Okay. Go ahead. 

Sheri Peifer: So we have 13 communities that are affordable senior housing. 

Jeff Holden: Oh, that's great to hear. 

Sheri Peifer: Yes. And again, as part of our mission, we, we work very closely with counties because ultimately.

We provide property management, social service support in these, I call them kind of apartment communities. Mm-hmm. 'cause they, they don't have meal service because they're. They're very slender in terms of the, the employees that are able to work there. So they have like four or five employees, for example, for a hundred residents, right?

So the social service component that we do is [00:20:00] very critical. So we're working with based organizations, bringing services into the, the apartments, having opportunities for life enrichment programs, but that's all led through the leadership at the property. 

Jeff Holden: That's just a perfect segue to the next question.

It's the collaborative work you do with other organizations. Who are some of the organizations that you see more often than not in relationship to the service you provide? 

Sheri Peifer: Eskaton. I think because we have such deep roots here in Northern California, we have some amazing partnerships in place and continuing to grow, frankly.

So some of our excellent partners who we adore are Pride Industries for examples. Yes, absolutely. Um, so Pride Industries, we work closely with them to partner on bringing individuals into our. Culinary programs, our housekeeping programs. And then ultimately we have an opportunity to hire individuals with different abilities in our, on our campuses.[00:21:00] 

And then we also have a partnership with Alzheimer's Associations, so we work closely with them and we also provide support groups for individuals with cognitive change and their caregivers. Then we have Del Oro, if you're familiar with them. No, the caregiver is a caregiver resource center, and so we have recently launched something called Memory Care Cafes.

On Memory Care Cafe is where we invite people living at home. You could be a caregiver of a, maybe you're an adult child caring for a mother or father who has Alzheimer's or dementia of some kind. You are invited to enter into community mm-hmm. At this memory care cafe. So we have a formal facilitated, a social work program where Delaware comes in and gives education and resources.

We also have opportunities for people to just share their experiences. 'cause sometimes it can be very isolating. Mm-hmm. As a caregiver, whether you're a, a spouse who has a loved one who. [00:22:00] Struggling. It's a 24 7 job. It's a 24 7 job. Yeah. Eskaton also offers respite services where we partner with Delaware and we also offer respite on a private pay where caregivers are like, okay, I need a week, a week away.

Yeah. So we offer short term support as well. 

Jeff Holden: What an opportunity for somebody who is hearing this and thinking I had nowhere to go, and in essence they, they actually do. I. Through a variety of different resources that allow you to provide that service. 

Sheri Peifer: That's right. 

Jeff Holden: As we look at the overall provision, knowing that there's a tsunami coming 

Sheri Peifer: Yes.

Jeff Holden: Of seniors, and we've had many homeless organizations that address the situation in the community telling us that the number one growth demographic for homelessness right now is seniors. Yes. Because they're being priced out. Of their facilities or their, their housing, whatever it may be. Mm-hmm. If somebody comes through and says, Sherry, this check is blank.

Scott Thomas: Mm-hmm. 

Jeff Holden: You give [00:23:00] me a good explanation, I'm gonna give it to you. What would that look like? What would you do with the organization if money wasn't an object? I. 

Sheri Peifer: That is the most excellent question because I have a plan. 

Jeff Holden: Good, good. And we want that. We want people, people to hear this. I have a, if you're gonna 

Sheri Peifer: give me a blank check, I have a plan.

So, for example, through data we know at our 13 affordable senior housing communities, which by the way, several of them have designations for providing previously un homed individuals. Opportunity for housing. Oh, wonderful. We have a designation at some of our communities. I would expand that program. 

Scott Thomas: Yep.

Sheri Peifer: Exponentially, we have 1700 people on the waiting list for our affordable communities. I would expand and replicate that model because if you have, I, I see housing as healthcare. If you don't have housing, if you don't have stability, you don't have a sense of community where you can. [00:24:00] Thrive and know that you're, you're cared for.

That's where kind of the unraveling of society happens. So for us, it's really around two-pronged. One is housing. We would expand those opportunities. We would also expand the services that we are able to deploy from our hub campuses out into the homes. Nine out of 10 people will always want to live at home.

Sure. It's just how it is. I can appreciate that. And until people really find that they may have a need, you know, they're, that they recognize I'm, I'm now alone and I have to make all my own meals and I'm not really eating very well anyway. So they recognize, oh gosh, I wanna be with somebody. So that funding would allow us to not only deploy more services out into the homes, but also engage people.

Into the campus community setting, 

Jeff Holden: you know, hearing that you've got 1700 people on a waiting list, it, it astounds me, number one, because that's the waiting [00:25:00] list you have. 

Sheri Peifer: Yes. How 

Jeff Holden: many others that provide some semblance of senior housing have that same waiting list of 800, a thousand, two thou, whatever that number mm-hmm.

Is and they're unable to provide because we don't have the facilities. 

Sheri Peifer: That's right. 

Jeff Holden: And we may even have them in. A hotel that could be converted, you know, or a property that, that is a multi-unit that really is in disrepair where somebody like you could come in mm-hmm. And completely convert it to a proper facility.

Yes. In terms of what it's capable of doing. Now we're back to reality. You don't have a blank check anymore. 

Sheri Peifer: You gave it to me for a few seconds. I was excited back. Yes. 

Jeff Holden: Mm-hmm. What does it look like? What is the greatest need? What are you faced with as the biggest challenge right now that. You're addressing for 

Eskaton?

Yes, 

Sheri Peifer: so Eskaton, because we've been around for decades, I'd say our greatest challenge currently is the ability [00:26:00] to adapt quickly to new needs and interests of the market. For example, we have many communities that are 2030. 35, 40, 50 years old. Mm. And so infusing capital back into those communities to ensure that they're meeting the needs, the interest, the desires of this emerging boomer population, for example, who for is critical 

Jeff Holden: cases, they're, they're.

More active than anybody would've ever thought in their eighties. That's nineties. 

Sheri Peifer: That's right. And we have a centenarian celebration every talk about that September that highlights, we are living longer and it's just within Eskaton we have 59 centenarians. 

Jeff Holden: That is amazing to me. I was speaking with one of your, your coworkers and he was sharing with me that there's over 50 people, a hundred years old in your facilities.

Mm-hmm. When you get them together, I just have to ask. 

Sheri Peifer: Yeah. Have you actually, it is a [00:27:00] party. 

Jeff Holden: I, I was, 

Sheri Peifer: I'm sure you've, it's party gotten them 

Jeff Holden: together already? Yes, 

Sheri Peifer: yes. 

Jeff Holden: How are they? 

Sheri Peifer: You know, it is amazing the stories that the articulation of their journeys is astounding. We actually are just about to launch a documentary that we've been involved in where we had someone come and drive around with our centenarians and interview them.

Their stories. I mean, literally are truly, I mean, back to the silent movies and which silent movies they saw first and how they navigated the wars and how they, you know, were the Roy Riveters of Yes. Um, those times and how they navigated loved ones. I mean, outliving so many loved ones. 

Scott Thomas: Mm-hmm. 

Sheri Peifer: And so the energy I receive from these centenarians is a stay engaged, learn continuously.

Always incorporate. Incorporate those fun times into your life and have a [00:28:00] lightheartedness about life. Because when you're around centenarians, talk about adaptability. 

Jeff Holden: Well, and living in the moment. 

Sheri Peifer: Living in the moment. 

Jeff Holden: Every day counts at that stage of the game because that's That's it. 

Sheri Peifer: It's it. 

Jeff Holden: That day could end that day.

Sheri Peifer: Yes. And I think it's also just recognizing that all of us have that opportunity to live. In the moment. Mm-hmm. And I think that's important. As we age and we talk about aging, a lot of times people don't wanna talk about aging. 

Scott Thomas: Right. 

Sheri Peifer: And so I believe it's truly important for each of us to take that opportunity to live in the moment, to ensure that we're doing the best for ourselves and others, and creating that community.

Jeff Holden: What a gift for you and your employees to have the ability to access those people. Hmm. Not many of us get to talk to somebody who's a hundred years old. Mm-hmm. Or to just feel the, the vibe off of somebody who's a hundred years old and some of the life [00:29:00] experiences that they had that they could tell us about or how they did, like you said, navigated the wars and the, and the pandemics, you know?

Yes. And the, the economic up and downs. Up and downs over the course of so much time. Their perspectives on presidents just, oh my 

Sheri Peifer: god, 

Jeff Holden: it's, they've, they've gotta have such opinions. I can only imagine the fun that it would be just sitting with somebody, especially if it was a couple of them in different positions, let's say, you know, with different opinions on different things depending on how they were raised or whatever.

Absolutely. How need is that? 

Sheri Peifer: Absolutely. And I think that's one of the reasons why Eskaton are. Actual name dawning of a new day. And so to me the, the centenarians really espouse that is every day is a new dawn. Yes. And so they're taking advantage of it. It's not like, oh, darn about that. It's 

Jeff Holden: Right. 

Sheri Peifer: Oh, what's on the docket today?

Yeah. 

Jeff Holden: Well, I'm sure meal prep is a big thing too. 

Sheri Peifer: Yes. They don't 

Jeff Holden: have to deal with any of it. They can [00:30:00] just. What's on the menu today. Exactly. I'm not cooking. Somebody's gonna right. Have something for me to do. It 

Sheri Peifer: is, it is true. And honestly, I think the other piece to that is just keeping active and learning new things.

I was just talking about this one centenarian I was with several weeks ago, and she was just saying, I just learned a new card game last week. And she also knits. Special socks. I mean, they're amazing socks. I'm like, I need a pair of that uhhuh. Um, for all of her great grandchildren now. Wow. I was like, is this great or great, great grandchildren.

Yes. Yes. So very purposeful living. 

Jeff Holden: Yeah, and I think that's part of it too. You have to have a reason to get up. 

Sheri Peifer: You do. 

Jeff Holden: And back to beginning of the conversation in community, you do, you know, where's Bill? I wanna go check up on Bill. I wanna see how Bill, I wanna talk to my, whatever that may be. Karen or whatever they think about to that other person because they're so significant to each other at that age.

And then of course at the younger ages, [00:31:00] it's just being engaged back to. The people that surround you in that community. 

Sheri Peifer: I think one of the things that I've learned over time is that a culture is created by the people living in community great's culture. And then it also is important that what, what we've learned is that incorporating the intergenerational component mm-hmm.

It's critical as well. So you, we, we bring in kids and we have programs and all kinds of. Learning engagement opportunities to just continue to grow and connect. 

Jeff Holden: If somebody's interested in finding out more about the organization, what's the best way to learn what Eskaton is all about? Whether it's gonna be right for my parents or another loved one, a neighbor, whatever the situation may be.

Sheri Peifer: I would say the best way to connect with us is through our website, Eskaton.org, E-S-K-A-T-O n.org, and we will put that in 

Jeff Holden: the show notes as well. 

Sheri Peifer: Thank you. Yeah, and also we have a one 800 number, so you can call us [00:32:00] and we will have someone available to navigate you to the right support or information.

Uh, we are a, a, a true resource to the community 

Jeff Holden: well in, in so many ways that. I wasn't aware, you know, the affordable housing is, is such a big deal. The services, the phone service above and beyond, and again, the value of a nonprofit, it's not that you have to pump out an investment return to somebody.

You're reinvesting it not only in the organization and the facilities, but into the community, which is such a, a much more appreciated way to do it. 

Sheri Peifer: I think that is one of the reasons why I personally was drawn to the. Organization and I've worked in, in a variety of settings, but that one key point just aligned perfectly with my personal mission and values.

Mm-hmm. And so to me, I would want my older parents to be supported in an [00:33:00] organization such as Eskaton. 

Jeff Holden: Anything else you'd like to leave our audience with? 

Sheri Peifer: I think one of the things I would encourage the audience to do is really begin educating yourself. I. Many times we as adult children or grandkids wait until something happens.

Mm-hmm. And we don't enter into those conversations with our older loved ones to say, Hey, what are, what are your desires to age well? And it could be, gosh, I wanna stay at home, but. If I need something, I would appreciate A, B, C, or let's look around and start touring places that to become familiar, because when something happens, whether it's a fall or a critical situation, then everyone feels constrained.

Mm-hmm. And that then it becomes an emergency and not a proactive decision. So, 

Jeff Holden: so true. So many times I can't. Yes. I, I don't have to remind you. So 

Sheri Peifer: plan ahead. 

Jeff Holden: We always hear it. She fell, broke her hip and [00:34:00] passed away six months later. 

Sheri Peifer: Yes. It's all about proactive planning and prevention. Mm-hmm. And you can have a wonderful aging experience, 

Jeff Holden: any great community.

Sheri Peifer: That's right. We do love our communities and we love our people, but that's one thing I would just strongly suggest. Don't wait. 

Jeff Holden: Sherry, your, your stories here and the explanation of what the opportunities are within the organization I think really helped clarify a lot that people maybe just didn't know.

Because we do see the facilities on corners. Oh yes. 

Sheri Peifer: And they're popping up a lot. They see the demographic wave. That's right. 

Jeff Holden: They're big facilities. 

Sheri Peifer: Right. 

Jeff Holden: And we know the care because everybody has a parent. Where you are in that lifestyle for your parents is changing, but knowing that that tsunami is coming, knowing that that wave of the 80 plus now seniors needing to have something to go to, to be cared for in some way, shape or form, is not going to get any smaller for the [00:35:00] next 20 plus years, is something we all need to be very significantly aware of.

Thank you for what you do. Thanks for what you do in the community. We, we talked about that 1700 employees, multiple facilities, and care for our elders who are in difficult situations with the unhoused is just so, you got your plate full. 

Sheri Peifer: It's a full plate. But I wouldn't choose another plate. 

Jeff Holden: Well, we're, we're happy that there's somebody there to take care of it for us.

So thank you so much. 

Sheri Peifer: Thank you for having me today. It was a pleasure. 

Jeff Holden: Pleasure was mine. Thanks. 

Sheri Peifer: Thank you.

Jeff Holden: Thank you for listening to the Nonprofit Podcast Network. I hope you enjoyed the episode. If what you heard moved you, please reach out to that organization and do what you can to help. If you like and appreciate what we're doing to support local nonprofits, please give us a positive review. Subscribe [00:36:00] and share.

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