The Resident's Perspective

A South Jersey girl through and through, Elaine raised four sons and taught elementary school before she retired. When she grew tired of living alone, Elaine first tried living with family, but since they worked, she had nothing to do but talk to her dog. So her family got together and helped her explore senior living options. Now that she’s living at a community, she’s painting prolifically, laughing and having fun. In addition to making a slew of new friends, she’s taught painting to 17 of her neighbors so far in the time she’s saved not having to cook, clean or shop. Listening to opera, playing piano and logging miles on foot to stay fit round out her well-balanced life. She is extremely grateful to the caring associates, including an executive director who invited her to her own home for Christmas dinner when her own family plans fell through one year. They discussed bringing her home when the pandemic hit, but Elaine said no way. She felt she was safer where she was. Thanks in large part to her chosen senior living setting, Elaine’s life is still blossoming brilliantly after 92 years, pandemic or not.