As the rest of the world was ringing in the new millennium, 86-year-old Dorothy Martin was spending her first night in her new home, the Manor at Lenoir Retirement Center. Weakened by Parkinson's and worried about living alone, Martin moved from her apartment of the past two decades willingly.

Although she initially kept up with her friends and activities beyond the retirement community, Martin soon withdrew, relying on Lenoir to provide her with both physical care and social activities.