Judy O’Toole Raymond, executive director of Lake Prince Woods retirement community, was recently elected vice chair of LeadingAge Virginia, a statewide organization of nonprofit retirement communities.

Raymond has been at Lake Prince Woods five years. She is a licensed nursing home administrator and a certified therapeutic recreation specialist.

Her background in senior adult healthcare began in 1984. She was chosen to participate in the first Leadership Studies course offered jointly by Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging, now known as LeadingAge Virginia.

“When I began my career, I chose to work with senior adults, because I thought about what I wanted my parents and grandparents to have available to them through the years,” she noted.

“A retirement community offers so many advantages and lifestyle opportunities for active adults. It allows people the freedom and amenities to do things that perhaps they never had time to do prior to retirement.”

LeadingAge Virginia spans the continuum of long-term care, including independent living, assisted living, nursing home and continuing care retirement communities. Member communities are sponsored by a variety of religious, fraternal, public and private organizations dedicated to providing quality care and services to the elderly.

LeadingAge Virginia was founded in 1973 by nursing home administrators who believed that nonprofit homes were unique in their needs and resources and required their own organization.

The association has served senior residents throughout the commonwealth of Virginia for more than 40 years. Currently 80 long-term care communities — representing approximately 15,000 residents, administrators, staff and boards — and more than 110 business organizations serving the aging services industry are LeadingAge Virginia members.