Making the decision to move into retirement living can be tough. Many people worry if they will be happy, if their lives will improve, or what they will do all day. Both seniors and their loved ones can face a lot of anxiety when trying to decide what is the right course of action.
Below, three residents and one loved one speak about the misconceptions they had about retirement living, how Delmanor has made their lives easier, and all the ways they keep happy and busy each day.
Prior Misconceptions About Retirement Living
Brenda’s 96-year-old mother-in-law was afraid of halls of people lined up in wheelchairs, sitting idle all day. She wanted nothing to do with a place like that, or with lonely dark halls, and unfriendly faces.
But when she stepped into Delmanor Glen Abbey, what she found was much different. She found a bright, clean, welcoming, and friendly home. As Brenda says, as soon as they walked in, they could tell that it was a place that cared about their residents and treated them like family.
Heather’s fear about retirement living was that she was too young. She had the misconception that it would be all very old people who didn’t want to do anything and would just stay in their rooms all day. However, she quickly realized that she was not too young, and living at Delmanor ended up being the best experience that she’s had.
Peter was worried that he would feel like he was locked up, and that in a massive building he would be viewed as a number, not a person. But when he visited the small, homey, and comfortable Delmanor Glen Abbey building, he knew he was home.
How Has Delmanor Glen Abbey Made Life Easier?
For Brenda, her mother-in-law and the rest of their family, it was all about comfort and peace of mind. Brenda can now sleep easier knowing that her mother-in-law has healthcare staff on site and is being given healthy and balanced meals every day. When they travel, they can do so with ease, knowing that there is always someone looking out for her.
Safety was also a big issue for Sandy before moving to Delmanor. Previously, living in her townhouse, she had to navigate several flights of stairs. She ended up falling many times and even suffered broken bones as a result. Now, living in Delmanor, she doesn’t have to worry about falls or stairs.
Heather has never enjoyed cooking, so having meals prepared was a huge benefit. Having a myriad of activities available each day has also allowed her to be more social and active that she was able to be before.
For Peter, it’s all about convenience. At Delmanor he doesn’t have to worry about shoveling the snow, mowing the lawn, or fixing things that break. He loves the peace of mind, relaxation, and comfort this affords him.
The Busy Lives Delmanor’s Residents Lead
Brenda is thrilled with all the activities that are available for her mother-in-law to participate in. From bingo, to movie nights, to Monday-night entertainment, there is always something to keep her happy. As Brenda says, moving to Delmanor has made her mother-in-law more active than she has been in the last five years.
Bingo is also a popular activity for Heather. She even won bingo recently and came home with a whopping $18 jackpot.
Peter loves the roast beef dinner on Sunday nights. Both him and his wife also enjoy bingo, the entertainment on Monday nights, and taking walks in the courtyard.
For Sandy, jeopardy is her thing. She loves taking part in the cross-Delmanor Jeopardy challenges. She also loves drawing, painting, and taking fitness classes. Sandy also volunteers once a week in the Delmanor shop, and is a new resident ambassador.
Making the decision to move to retirement living is a huge change. It is normal to have a wide range of emotions, both positive and negative. But as these personal experiences reflect, moving to Delmanor is just a new chapter. It is not the end, but an exciting, fulfilling, and comfortable continuation of life already well-lived.
