St. Leonard offers active senior living in a vibrant community-based setting

It might be nestled in 240 acres of peaceful wooded terrain just 10 miles south of Dayton, but St. Leonard Retirement Community offers its residents the support of a friendly and caring staff as well as security, convenience, amenities and activities offered at many modern gated communities geared for much younger people.

“We are also a faith-based community with a campus and history that ties into Centerville,” says Matt Walters, executive director of St. Leonard. “We host many events and like to be fully integrated into the community.”

Located in Centerville, St. Leonard is a continuing care retirement community that offers a variety of senior housing choices, personalized support services and quality health care as well as vital active programs that go beyond the traditional. Here you’ll enjoy friendly neighbors and amenities that are second to none. And you’ll never lack for things to do. Whether its fitness, swimming, dancing, fishing or just relaxing, you can be as busy or restful as you like.

“We have a very active community with a well-equipped and active community center,” says Kelly Lance, director of Community Relations. “It has a restaurant that is open to the public, a fitness center and a swimming pool. We also host a number of events there, including our Body, Mind and Spirit series. We bring in doctors, health coaches and even musicians. We have health programming every month throughout the year that is focused on vital living. Our campus is very focused on vital living, aging in place and keeping people busy and healthy.”

One example of that is something called Boomer Fest, which St. Leonard hosts each August.

“It goes on from noon to 10 p.m. and we bring in four bands, all of which play Boomer-style music,” says Lance. “We have food trucks and a beer truck out front. It’s all held on our huge lawn, and we always get a large crowd from the surrounding community.”

With Centerville Parks undergoing something of a renovation this year. St. Leonard will also host nine community events on its spacious lawn, like the Centerville Party in the Park, normally held on city property.

“We also have a number of programs with other community partners, including Centerville High School, which is just up the road,” adds Walters.

But there’s also a very serious health care side to St. Leonard. As a member of CommonSpirit Health, St. Leonard is a part of one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the nation. In Centerville, it offers numerous options for senior living, including everything from independent style living in houses and apartments, assisted living in apartments and suites, nursing care and memory care. It is home to over 600 residents and has a large and active adult day care program as well.

It’s also a faith-based environment, carrying on the tradition of service handed down from its patron St. Leonard of Port Maurice, who was a Franciscan friar born in 1676. Carrying on traditions found in the Gospel, St. Leonard assists seniors of all faiths to achieve their highest level of independence and well-being.