The Kendal Corporation

The Kendal Corporation is a non-profit organization with its headquarters in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and serves as the parent group for several Kendal communities like Kendal at Longwood, Crosslands, Coniston, Cartmel, Kendal at Hanover, Kendal on Hudson, Kendal at Ithaca, Kendal at Lexington, and Kendal at Oberlin, among others, and the place runs on Quaker values such as equality, simplicity, peace, and integrity, which guide everything from staff behavior to resident involvement. The Kendal Corporation sticks to a federal-style model, which means each community's board, made up of residents and community members, handles local decisions and keeps assets local for upkeep and improvements, so you won't see money used across different Kendal communities. The communities offer Life Plan Community programs with different living choices, including Independent Living, Supportive Independent Living, Personal Care, Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation, Memory Care, Lifecare at Home, Residential Living, Assisted Living/Personal Care, Respite Stays, and Palliative Care, plus short stays for rehab when needed, and the health offerings extend to wellness programs and access to clinics on-site. Residents get deeply involved through resident councils and other groups, taking part in the decisions big and small, and you'll see an active community life, with chances for creative work, learning activities, sharing, caring, and staying healthy, and there's even an Art Committee and new gallery space meant for creative expression. Kendal communities offer a natural setting, so you'll find things like bountiful gardens, an accredited arboretum, over 11 miles of trails, preserved meadows, and even a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat, along with Native Plant Preserve and some historic ruins scattered throughout the grounds, and there's also a focus on amenities, so you get things like artist studios, a ceramics room, fitness centers, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, community gardens, patios and decks, dog parks, a weaving room, a woodshop, and even libraries and a TV studio for residents to use. The Kendal Corporation values lifelong learning, so activities, creative arts, music and art therapy, horticulture therapy, and water aerobics are common, and the communities take diversity, equity, and inclusion seriously for everyone, including residents, staff, and volunteers; there's also an emphasis on intergenerational programs and community connections to help everyone stay active in later life. Kendal's structure means residents help govern their own communities, and a values and practices framework encourages participation, transparency, consensus, and ethical standards. Kendal Charitable Funds help support those with financial need, and Kendal provides guides with help resources, maps, menus, transport and shopping information, newsletters, and updates on things like the Commons Refresh-so residents know about upcoming changes, budgets, and timelines. The facilities come in many forms such as apartments, cottages, private or shared suites, and villas or single homes, often pet-friendly, and built to offer good access to nature and community activities. Overall, the Kendal Corporation provides a variety of senior living options in settings that focus on respect, health, and a sense of belonging, with residents staying involved in governance, enjoying natural beauty, and benefiting from care options and community features that try to meet people's needs as they age.