In addition to its role as a luxury getaway spot, a one-time corporate retreat near Camden, Maine, has been converted into another type of a retreat. It's now promoting what hopefully is a healthier lifestyle that may help to change the face of senior living in the United States.

Point Lookout Resort and Conference Center -- set against a backdrop of Ducktrap Mountain and scenic Penobscot Bay, along Maine's coast -- for 12 years served as a corporate hideaway and training facility for executives of the one-time credit card giant MBNA.

But MBNA's financial fortunes collapsed and the firm eventually was acquired by another corporate giant, Bank of America, whose finances ultimately also took a downturn. BOA consequently closed the facility.

But another nationally well-known entity -- the Erickson Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Erickson Retirement Communities -- acquired the property and reopened it in 2008. In addition to keeping the resort's original focus as a conference center, Erickson has converted it into a venue that welcomes tourists but additionally attracts people who are recently or soon-to-be-retired.

At Point Lookout, they can prepare for the next phase of their lives and explore their options, because Erickson spokesmen say everything from wellness assessments to post-retirement career planning is available on-site. The resort is said to be one of the few facilities of its type in the nation and very likely is the largest in its scope of operations.

Dedicated to seniors

The Erickson Foundation and its CEO John Erickson have for years played a significant role in attempting to improve the physical and mental health of senior citizens.

The core operation is Erickson Retirement Communities, a leading national developer of full-service retirement facilities. Erickson Retirement boasts a network of 20-plus communities that combine a maintenance-free active lifestyle with expanding host of amenities, social activities and wellness and medical centers.

Business publications report that the enterprise also includes the Retirement Living TV network, an environmental education center, a health plan and assisted living, long-term nursing care and short-term rehabilitation residences.

The healthy living focus of Point Lookout is only one facet of the resort's many operations. It's an all-purpose conference venue that is utilized by companies and nonprofits (particularly those that serve older adults).

It also serves as a satellite campus for the Erickson School and a resource for other schools and institutions that educate professions in the field of aging. Spokesmen say the facility will become a national destination and resource center for the advancement of positive aging in this country.

Additionally, it also is becoming increasingly attractive to overnight tourists who want to enjoy the resort's numerous amenities. We enjoyed a three-day stay there in early-summer.

Changing the face of senior living

Situated on nearly 400 acres with spectacular views, the resort's meeting facilities include an 18,000-square-foot conference center, private dining room, five meeting rooms, a kitchen and a sitting room. It also offers the latest in audiovisual technology. There are additional meeting spaces and event venues, including a 6,000-square-foot ballroom.

For overnight guests, Point Lookout offers 106 upscale guest cabins -- one-, two- and three-bedroom units which include kitchenettes, living areas and one or two bathrooms, as well as Internet access. Rates start at about $145 nightly.

Athletic facilities range widely, including everything from a fully-equipped fitness center and racquetball court to a gymnasium. There also is an eight-lane bowling alley, video arcade and party rooms.

There are six miles of scenic trails that traverse the property, a state-of-the-art artificial turf soccer field, softball field and tennis courts. Plus sailing and skiing opportunities are available in-season.

The healthy living aspect of the operation is titled a Vital Living Program and runs for three days. It features a certified personal fitness assessment program, an innovative in-depth look at your body composition, bone density, balance and mobility, upper and lower body strength, reaction times and maneuverability in driving, along with personal training, nutritional guidance, personalized monitoring and follow-up advice.

Data is fed into a BSDI health assessment software to begin to form the personalized profile that will guide the assessment trainer, the physical trainer and the guest for the life of the relationship with the Vital Living Program.

The program costs $750 and includes accommodations and breakfasts.

To learn more, call 1-800-515-3611 or go to www.visitpointlookout.com.

Bob Retzlaff is travel editor of the Post-Bulletin. He can be reached by phone at 285-7704 .

Next week, a look at the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

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