To see them today, you’d never know that Rachel and Jerry were once unenthusiastic about moving to assisted living. The couple has lived at Atria Tarzana for two years, where they can often be found at a party or meeting up with their daughter, Lynn, at her weekly mahjong event.
Like many families, though, having more fun was not how the conversation around senior living started. “We lived in our house for 39 years,” Rachel says. “Then I fell, and my husband had been in failing health... My kids thought it was time to move.”
Lynn confirms that, saying, “I told her, you need to do this – and I want you to choose where you want to be.”
The family toured 10 different senior living communities before finding Atria Tarzana. The couple begrudgingly agreed to move – then promptly fell in love with the place.
“Mom called me and said, ‘I should have done this a year ago!’” Lynn says with a laugh.
Everyday life, made easier
One of the first things Rachel noticed after moving was how much easier daily life became.
“The benefits?” she says. “It’s like a cruise ship! And the food is wonderful.”
But it’s more than just meals. Transportation, housekeeping and helpful staff have taken many everyday responsibilities off Rachel’s plate.
“Having people around to help when you need it is wonderful,” she says. “If we have an issue, we can call someone and they come and help.”
For Jerry, the change has been just as meaningful. After decades of maintaining a home, the freedom from tasks like yardwork, trash and upkeep has been a welcome relief.
“I don’t have to shovel snow anymore,” he says with a wink. It’s a typical sunny, SoCal afternoon.
Care when it matters most
Even though her parents didn’t need care when they first moved in, Lynn still wanted them to look at assisted living communities, where care would be available if they needed it.
“I love that if one of them comes home from the hospital, we can increase the service,” Lynn says. “Then, if they get back to being more independent, we can decrease the services.”
As Lynn foresaw, that flexibility has been especially important as Jerry’s health needs have evolved.
“Having people here to help take care of him makes all the difference,” Rachel says.
The family also found that customizable care came with another benefit: It ensured Rachel and Jerry could receive the care they each needed without being separated.
“A lot of places, if somebody needs more care, they have to live in separate places,” Lynn explains. “And I knew that that would just be awful for them.”
Peace of mind for the whole family
Before the move, Lynn’s parents lived just a few blocks away from her. But that closeness also came with constant worry about their well-being.
“I used to have a hard time sleeping at night,” she says. “I’d get calls that one of them had fallen and needed help getting up.”
Maintaining the house had also become a challenge.
“My husband and I were helping them with the house all the time,” Lynn says. “It was just a lot.”
Today, the situation feels completely different.
“Now I can sleep at night,” Lynn says. “I’m not worried about getting those calls. I know that if they need help, all they have to do is push a button and someone will be there.”
For many families, this type of support for caregivers is one of the biggest advantages of helping a family member move to a community setting.
On top of the peace of mind, Lynn says, moving into a community has transformed their quality of life.
“I think the most important thing for me,” Lynn says, “is the socialization they get here, the friends they make and the activities.”
Friendship, community and a full social life
“When my parents were living at home,” Lynn says, “their social life was mostly doctor’s appointments.” That kind of isolation was concerning.
Since the move, the couple has kept busy with social activities and exercise classes. Rachel has even made a best friend, Janet, who moved in just a few weeks before they did.
“If my dad can’t find my mom,” Lynn says, “he’ll call Janet.”
Rachel has also made friends through the mahjong gathering that Lynn leads at the community each week.
“I’ve made a lot of friends,” she says. “The exercise classes are great.”
The family has also been able to celebrate major moments together in their new community – like Rachel and Jerry’s recent 60th wedding anniversary.
“It was amazing,” Lynn says. “They did such a fabulous job – they celebrate everything here. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. They make every moment special.”
“A second chance at life”
Looking back, the move has transformed life for the whole family.
“It’s so much better than being isolated at home,” Rachel says. “Everything is here – the exercise, the food, the companionship.”
For Lynn, the biggest gift has been seeing her parents thrive. “I feel like it’s given them a second chance at life,” she says.
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