METRO DETROIT — For Shirley Robertson, transitioning from being a successful real estate broker into retirement took some time.

“I made my business part of my life,” said Robertson, 75, who described the initial change from living on her own to living in a retirement community as “terrifically hard.”



Robertson will have resided in the independent living housing of The Baptist Manor in Farmington Hills for four years in July, and admitted she “didn’t really retire all at once four years ago.”

“I’d been thinking about it, I’ve seen what’s been happening to the real estate market, and at my age didn’t have the energy to commit myself all over again,” said Robertson.

During the first two years at the retirement community, she said the community gave her ample peace and quiet to transition.

Today she has her own exercise class attended weekly by 20-25 people, among other activities.

“It’s a change in my life,” Robertson said. “Something I think all seniors realize is that your energy level is no longer what you imagined it being, and the things you were quick at, you’re doing slower.”

She added that, “I’ve also accepted it because you’re not going to grow any younger!”

Robertson describes the staff at her community as being “very accommodating” and feels comfortable knowing her safety is being monitored.

“As you grow older things pop into your head that never occurred to you before,” she said. “One of them is safety. If anything happens to me they’d notify my family.”

Robertson added that with this assurance in mind, “I can still run around the campus and do my thing and talk to the people I want to.”

For seniors contemplating a similar transition to a retirement community, she advised, “Patience with yourself, with the transition you’re making, and instead of frowning about it and saying ‘Boo-hoo, I’m growing old,’ celebrate it and say ‘Look how far I’ve come!’”

 



A new opportunity

Joan Matheson, 79, arrived at The Baptist Manor six years ago.

Matheson likes that the mail is brought indoors for residents and “you don’t have to go outside,” as well as the once-a-month visit from the post office so residents can buy stamps and mail packages.

But nevertheless, “you have your freedom, you can go out as you like,” said Matheson, who spends a lot of her free time volunteering at a nearby assisted-living facility.

Mary Magnone, an independent-living resident of Maple Heights Retirement Community in Allen Park, said that during her nearly four years there, she has “made new friends, little by little, get to talk to them, get their names and how they are.”

She and her husband moved to Maple Heights because their home could not accommodate his wheelchair, and though it took time calling their new apartment “home,” “it was well worth it.”



“My husband passed away three years ago on the feast of St. Joseph, on March 19,” said Magnone, who has grown close to her Maple Heights community, explaining that “I miss my home, but I don’t think I could go back. I’m so used to it here.”

Bob Wendling, who moved into the Fox Manor independent living apartments at Lourdes Senior Community in Waterford this past February, said that “so far it’s been an excellent transition.” Wendling is originally from Indiana, but had experienced some health issues and so eventually came to live at Lourdes, where his daughter also works.

“My health is returning back to normal and it’s as good as it’s going to get,” said Wendling, who will soon celebrate his 88th birthday. “It’s been a marvelous transition for me.”

His decision to live in a community with others was “different,” but he enjoys his personal apartment, and with the many community activities he plans to eventually check out, “that’s a good thing.”

 



Structured

Gladys Konarz, 90, has been a resident of the independent-living housing at Maple Heights for “about seven years.”

A person who loves structure, she appreciates the help of a staff member who assists with her morning routine to make sure Konarz can leave her apartment at 11:20 a.m. daily.

“I’m quite independent, even though have walker and wheelchair too,” she said. “I like to be prompt with things. I go down (to the dining room) at 4:20 every day for our evening meal.”

Konarz also enjoys her community’s weekly game of bingo on Tuesday and Thursday nights: “I call this home.”

Bill Newsom, 78, has resided in in the independent living housing at The Baptist Manor for seven years.

“I had health problems, and moving here, at the time I needed more help with meals and things like that,” he said.

Newsom appreciates the transportation to doctors’ appointments and other errands, as well as the available assistance if he needs help cleaning his apartment.

“I have the security of knowing there’s someone to monitor me and if I need help with my medications,” he said.

 



Supportive community

Fern Walch, 90, has lived at Fox Manor at Lourdes for three years.

“I know that many people find it difficult to give up something that’s familiar and go to something that’s unfamiliar because they don’t like change,” she said.

Walch’s husband had been in a nursing facility, and Walch had spent each day driving out to care for him.

“One morning I woke up and said, I’m not living anymore; I’m existing,” she said. “I said to my son Michael, contact a realtor and contact Lourdes. In a month they had a place available for me; within two months my condo was sold,” she added, attributing this to Venerable Solanus Casey, to whom she has a devotion.

Shortly thereafter she and her children made the decision to move her husband to Lourdes’ nursing facility.

“I didn’t know how he’d respond because of his health problems,” she said. “We were afraid he would not adjust. I fixed his room up with pictures … the next morning he just gave me a smile,” and she knew she had made the right choice.

“The staff and the nuns were so good to him,” said Walch, explaining that he passed away several months later. “The staff and residents were absolutely like family and that’s the way it’s been.”



Irene Ches, who will turn 88 in July, said her husband became sick two days after Christmas 2010.

“My daughter came from Florida with her husband, and stayed and helped,” said Ches, who added that the hospital trips and recovery periods were difficult.

Ches and her husband eventually moved to Maple Heights, where he could be cared for around the clock, and she could be nearby. He passed away this past January.

“I was able to adjust afterward because of help from people in the same position,” said Ches of her fellow residents. “If you have a problem, the people you’re with will support you.”

Ches explained that she, in turn, has also been able to help others in her community: “You become friends with all of these people.”

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Thinking about a transition?

Some questions to ask when choosing an independent-living community:

• How is the community life?



• Will it assist my health needs?



• Can I see myself moving to a new “home”?



• Can I embrace transition and change?



• Will it enhance my safety?



• Will it allow me to keep up my regular lifestyle?



• What activities does the community offer?



• Will I enjoy making new friends?



• What types of resources/facilities are available?



• How easy is access to religious services (i.e. transportation, nearby churches, visiting ministers, faith-sharing groups, etc.)?



• Is the community licensed or accredited?

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