Walnut Village, a full-service retirement community, officially opens its door to Anaheim residents

Walnut Village, a new, full-service retirement community in the heart of Anaheim, Calif., officially opened to its first residents this month.

A celebration held on Sunday, Oct. 25 marked the completion of the $120 million project that offers 156 private residences and recently earned a Gold award from the National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Council. Walnut Village is owned and operated by Front Porch, Southern California's largest not-for-profit provider of senior living communities.

Attending Sunday's event was Joseph Peduzzi, Walnut Village's executive director; Roberta Jacobsen, president of Front Porch Communities and Services; and Gary Wheeler, CEO of Front Porch. The village's program directors and a number of artists, whose work is featured throughout the community, also attended and mingled with the residents and staff. Peduzzi offered welcoming remarks and attendees got a first look at Anaheim's newest retirement community.

"We are really proud of this community. Walnut Village represents a new concept in retirement living where residents are surrounded by neighbors and first-rate amenities," said Peduzzi. "What really sets it apart is the design, with its central village square, restaurant-style dining and piano bar, and Performing Arts Center which foster engaging social activities. It is exciting to watch the village come to life as people move in to their new homes."

The walkable, 12-acre community is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) that insures residents receive care for life. It allows residents to age in place while living in well-appointed homes and cottages. As required, assisted living services are brought directly to residents' homes. A fully licensed, skilled nursing center, the largest in Orange County, is located onsite. A Memory Support Neighborhood called Summer House features a staff of memory specialists to offer cognitive care and individualized programming for those with varying degrees of memory loss.

Walnut Village offers several features designed to ensure an enhanced quality of life. They include:

-- Wellbeing Fitness & Aquatics Center offers yoga, a fitness center with specially designed equipment for older adults, seminars on health-related topics, spa services, specialized and alternative therapies, a salt-water Masters pool and a 12-person hot tub. -- Lifelong Learning Center features a wide range of college-level classes in history, writing and computer training, as well as seminars such as wine tasting, film and gardening. It also includes the Center for Aging and Spirituality, which offers lectures and workshops on topics related to understanding the spiritual journey of aging and the importance of the mind, body and spirit connection. -- Performing Arts Center is where talented residents and known artists will perform. Drama, music and singing classes will be also offered.

In addition, Walnut Village provides specialized wellness initiatives such as Dakim Brain Fitness System, a cognitive exercise and preventative brain fitness program.

Private homes at Walnut Village are available in 42 different floor plans and include one and two-bedroom residences and three-bedroom cottages. The private homes feature ageless, universal design elements, choice of color palette and three designer kitchen models all with granite countertops, washer/dryer, private balcony or patio, large walk-in showers, high-speed Internet access, cable TV, individually controlled heating and AC, and a variety of flooring. All units are adaptable for independent living with assistive devices such as wheelchairs. The community is gated and includes on-site security.