Dear Family Member:

Are you concerned about the care and well being of your aging parent? Many of us today have a loved one who can no longer live on his or her own and needs assistance with daily tasks. When faced with this situation, it's often difficult to know where to turn. Sometimes the problem is compounded because we are caring for our parents from afar.

I'm writing to you today as someone who has experienced this situation pesonally. My mother, who had always been in good health, moved to independent retirement living when she was 80. In less than a year, it became clear that she needed additional help. Fortunately, she was part of a community that offered a continuum of care, and she was able to move to a safe, nurturing environment with the appropriate level of assistance. Although I lived an hour away, my mind was at ease when it came to my mother's care.

That's why I thought you would be interested in knowing about the new Martha Ballard Assisted Living Community at Granite Hill Estates. Located in Hallowell, Maine, near Augusta, Martha Ballard Assisted Living has been designed especially for individuals who need some assistance with the activities of daily living on a day-to-day basis. This warm and welcoming community offers elegant apartment living and features a full complement of services, with care available 24-hours a day.

A Program for Living Well

The program for residents includes assistance with personal care and activities of daily life; pharmacy services and the administration of medications; 24-hour emergency response; and case management and wellness programs coordinated by a licensed nurse.

In addition, because Martha Ballard Assisted Living is part of the larger retirement community that is Granite Hill Estates, residents enjoy access to a number of very desirable amenities -- including an elegant full-service dining room; a well-stocked library; a heated indoor exercise pool and fitness center; several craft and activity areas; a beauty salon; and garden plots and walking paths, among others.