OUR SERVICESHortense Gutmann
Resident, Sarah Neuman Center in Westchester
When she was only 98 years old, Hortense Gutmann moved into the Sarah Neuman
Center. Now, at 101, she’s thriving and more active than ever.
She explains, “I’m 101 and don’t think I’d be as active if the staff didn’t take an interest in helping each person on an individual basis.”
“I was uncertain about a new environment,” she recalls, regarding leaving her Jersey City apartment of 50 years, “but simply getting downstairs or doing errands was too difficult, even with home attendants.” It didn’t take long for her to realize her good decision; “I’m doing things here I haven’t done before and meeting new people. This is much better.”
Hortense avidly attends events and classes. Recently, she’s begun a new series of art workshops offering ceramics, painting and watercolors taught by a docent from the Jewish Museum in New York. “They are really supportive of what I do, even when I think it’s not so good,” she laughs. A computer-education course introduced her to the Internet and email. Now she keeps in frequent touch with relatives in New York, as well as in Minnesota and Israel.
As the president of the Residents’ Council, Hortense encourages her peers to share their opinions and to participate. She remarks, “When we support each other, we accomplish more.”
Her favorite part about Sarah Neuman, however, is its garden. “It means a lot to me,” she says. “It’s so beautiful and is right here for me to just sit and chat with my friends.”