Senator Isakson Addressed Healthcare, Current Events at Open Forum

Sept. 23, 2009 - PRLog -- STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. spoke to a group of more than 200 seniors on September 3 at Park Springs, an award-winning residential community offering a continuum of care for those over the age of 62, in Stone Mountain. The Senator presented a national perspective on a variety of topics, but mainly focused on healthcare, a hot topic not only for Members of Park Springs, but for all Americans.

While the forum was dominated with healthcare talk, Isakson also shared his thoughts on the economy, Medicare, social security and foreign relations before opening the discussion for more than one hour of questions from the attendees. Isakson candidly answered the group's questions about the uninsured, Tort Reform, Medicare inefficiency, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as it regards to healthcare, as well as recent “Tea Party” protests that have occurred all over of the United States.

“You can’t tax into prosperity,” said Isakson. “You need to empower the private sector…government needs to motivate the private sector. The bottom line is congress needs to be more frugal. It can’t keep overspending.”

In closing, the Senator discussed the importance of wellness as the best way to reduce health care costs. It is a philosophy many at Park Springs and other Atlanta active adults take to heart.

“For many of our Members, health and wellness is the reason they decided to move to Park Springs,” said Joan Carlson, director of quality, innovation and culture at Park Springs. “I think a lot of our Members were also shocked by the statistic Senator Isakson shared about only one in four physicians accepting Medicare. The pool of physicians is getting smaller and smaller. Conversely, here at Park Springs we have our own Medicare Certified Geriatrician so our Members don’t have to be concerned about finding a doctor.”

This was Senator Isakson’s second trip to Park Springs this year. Isakson, a leader in Georgia for over 30 years began his business career in 1967 when he opened a small, family-owned real estate business, Northside Realty in Cobb County. He went on to serve as president of Northside Realty for 20 years, presiding over the company’s growth into the largest independent residential real estate brokerage company in the Southeast and one of the largest in America. Isakson entered politics in 1974 and served 17 years in the Georgia Legislature and three years as Chairman of the Georgia Board of Education. In 1999, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the first of three terms before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He will be up for reelection to the Senate in 2010.

About Park Springs:
Park Springs enhances life for Atlanta active adults by providing independent residences alongside extensive amenities, on-site wellness and private health care facilities. The 398-home campus-style community is situated on 54 acres surrounded by Stone Mountain Park. A 64-suite health center provides assisted living, skilled nursing and dementia/Alzheimer's care. The campus style community boasts a 50,000 square foot clubhouse serving meals in four themed dining rooms daily and a 12,000 square foot fitness center with an indoor swimming pool. The Seniors Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builders named Park Springs a Platinum winner. Park Springs is developed by Isakson-Living and managed by Life Care Services LLC (LCS), a leader in senior living communities. LCS today serves more than 23,000 residents daily in over 80 communities nationwide. For more information on Park Springs, call 770-879-5006, 800-267-7126 or visit http://www.parkspringscommunities.com.

About Isakson Living:
Isakson Living is Atlanta’s leading developer of residential communities offering a continuum of care for adults ages 55 and older. Isakson Living upholds a personal and professional commitment to empowering members through groundbreaking wellness opportunities, concierge medicine and hands-on involvement in their Atlanta retirement community. Isakson Living has won multiple awards for its flagship community, Park Springs in Stone Mountain, Ga., and Peachtree Hills Place in Atlanta, currently in development. For more information on Isakson Living, visit www.isaksonliving.com or call 770-559-4829.

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Park Springs enhances life for active seniors by providing independent residences alongside extensive amenities and on-site wellness and private health care facilities.