Joanne Niswander, Maple Crest Senior Living Village, Bluffton, has been selected as one of 10 individuals to be featured in an exhibit at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & EXPO, Oct. 28-31 in Philadelphia. 

“Words of Wisdom” is part of a Public Ageism display located at the Philadelphia City Hall courtyard.  The exhibit will be up for the duration of the conference and is designed to educate the people of Philadelphia about the amazing gifts our elders contribute to their communities. 

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio nominated Niswander in consideration of her work on the board of directors of the Swiss Community Historical Society and in the role of tour coordinator for the Swiss Homestead, located outside of Bluffton. 

In addition, she has published two books: “An Alzheimer’s Primer” and “Reflections from Maple Crest Pond,” and spearheads the annual monarch butterfly program at Maple Crest. 

Asked by the conference directors to provide her own words of wisdom, Niswander replied, “I enjoy people, yet I relish my solitude.  I love to do things for others, yet look forward to time spent alone.  It has taken me decades to recognize and fully appreciate these two sides of me. At 89, I am content with who and what I am.  I look forward to the years ahead and to all the opportunities that will continue to beckon.  Could life be any better?”

Nationally, LeadingAge offers a strong and distinct voice for its non-profit members as they strive to be the trusted voice for aging in America.  It leads in innovative practices that transform how we serve our elderly population.