Despite her friends’ opinions that she was ‘too young’ to move into a senior living community, she decided otherwise.
“I look young; I’m very active. And this was the perfect time,” said Linda. She moved to GreenFields of Geneva senior living community with her husband just over a year ago. Her assessment of the move 14 months later is a resounding ‘A+.’
Linda said she was motivated to move to a retirement community while she and her husband were younger so they could maintain control over their futures. “I wanted to make the decisions, pick the place we were going, and get ourselves moved in. I did this for my children so they wouldn’t have to. My children’s spouses think I’m a rockstar and that I walk on water because I took all of this off their hands.” She added that GreenFields of Geneva being a Life Plan Community, also known as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). In addition to independent living, the community offers assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. This assures residents that should their health needs change, they can receive care without having to leave the community. This was important to her decision-making.
“You never know what’s around the corner,” she said. This was a bit prophetic, as her husband has since begun to develop signs of cognitive decline. “He’s involved in things; he’s in the choir and works out in the fitness center. He’s doing well. I’m thankful he is still in independent living with me for now, and we can arrange for one of the many ala carte services that GreenFields provides to help residents maintain their independence for as long as possible. But it’s reassuring that memory care is just a few hallways away should things progress.”
Linda added that moving earlier rather than later has given her more time to enjoy the benefits of living in the vibrant senior living community. “I dove right in,” she said. A major objective of hers was to make friends since the couple had moved from Maine. “I’ve made a lot of good friends here,” she said. “There are so many committees, programs and activities. I’ve tried a lot of different things, ” she said. She is the chairperson of the Lifespace Foundation committee at Greenfields, and the GreenFields librarian. “I also help with marketing events and work in an outreach program to help welcome new residents.”
Linda also participates in a caregivers’ support group for GreenFields of Geneva residents.
Linda loves their apartment, the dining program, and, most of all, the dedicated, caring team members. “It’s apparent that they look at their work as more of a ministry or calling, than a job,” she said.
Linda concluded, “As we age, things are great until they’re not. You want to be where you should be before things aren’t great anymore. We are there.”
