A Letter from M. D.

Dear Reader,

When you’ve lived in a community for 54 years, in a home your father designed, the ties are strong. You can’t imagine being happy anywhere else. But then circumstances change. The home that was perfect for you is no longer quite right. Making a move is never easy, but let me tell you how I came to live at The Moorings of Arlington Heights, and why I love it.

My husband knew he had a bad heart. The stairs of our two-story English Tudor home were becoming a problem for him. Reality said we should think about other living arrangements, but all of our friends were in Park Ridge. And we had our beloved dog, Lucy. Parting with her was not an option. Would she adjust to a new place? There were so many obstacles and concerns.

We looked briefly at a couple of retirement communities, but we had always known about The Moorings. My husband's mother had spent 11 wonderful years at Westminster Place, which is also a Presbyterian Homes’ retirement community in Evanston. We knew people who had moved to The Moorings, so we decided to make an appointment and find out more.

Great news! Bringing our dog was no problem. The Moorings has many lovely styles of accommodations, but after living in a large home, a villa was the right choice for us. Some new villas were about to be built, so we put our name on the future residents’ list. During construction, The Moorings held update meetings and parties for future villa residents, and by the time we moved in, we were already friends. That’s really the best thing about The Moorings, the sense of community, friendship and support.

Shortly after we moved in, my husband had to enter healthcare. But instead of driving to see him everyday, I could just walk over to the healthcare center and bring Lucy to visit as well. We did that for seven months. The care he got was wonderful. When I tried to shoo Lucy off his bed, the healthcare staff said, “It’s okay, she can go up there. It’s his bed.” It felt like we were with family.

When he passed away, the outpouring of support and friendship from all my neighbors was overwhelming. Several people had gone through this same experience. Had I been alone in our home on Vine Avenue during this time, it would have been so much more traumatic. No matter what happens in your life, at The Moorings, you always have someone to talk to and with whom to share a meal.

The Moorings is covered in flowers and has two miles of walking paths. There are so many activities here to choose from—planned with such attention to detail. There are holiday parties, trips, speakers, movies, musical entertainment, and a variety of interest groups. On weekends we have cocktail gatherings before dinner. Dining is wonderful—you get breakfast, and either lunch or dinner. There’s no assigned seating, so you can meet all of the really interesting people who live here.

To me, The Moorings is such a well-run organization. The employees are all so warm and accommodating. I’m actually living better now than when I was in my own home, because I have no worries. If a light bulb goes out or a faucet leaks, I just pick up the phone, and someone comes right over. Snow shoveling is done early and often. Transportation is provided to area doctors and churches. And if I have any health needs in the future, everything I’ll need is here. They know me, and I’m with “family.”

I remember the first day we moved in. We sat in our living room, and my husband said to me, “You know what? I hate to admit it, but I don’t miss our home on Vine Avenue at all.” I said, “You know what? Neither do I.”

Now, three years later, I feel so very fortunate and thankful to be living at The Moorings. I’m glad we moved when we did. Had we moved during or after a crisis, we wouldn’t have had nearly as many options and choices available to us.

So do consider a move to The Moorings of Arlington Heights. To learn more, please call 888-601-3027 to set up a time for a visit.

Sincerely,
M. D.