Embracing a New Chapter
The transition from a beloved family home to a retirement village is often a daunting prospect for parents and their families. It marks the end of an era of independence and familiarity, replaced by a new environment and lifestyle. Our villages do the best they can to ease this transition, providing a warm, welcoming community where residents can form new friendships, engage in a variety of activities, and enjoy a fulfilling and enriched lifestyle. Dianne has been living at Epsom Village since 2018, in one of our lovely ground-floor garden apartments.
It always warms our hearts when we receive letters from our residents' children, detailing the joy and contentment their loved ones experience in our community. Recently, we received a touching letter from Heidi, Dianne's daughter. In her message, Heidi shared the family's reservations towards moving to a retirement village and how those concerns were ultimately alleviated by the positive experiences and newfound happiness her mother discovered at Epsom Village.
The full letter reads like this:
"Parents transitioning from their own homes into a retirement community is a significant and often challenging step. Leaving the family home and moving from an independent lifestyle marks the end of an era. While moving into a retirement village offers many advantages on paper, the change can be dramatic for the person making the move. Many questions arise for the elder and their family: Will I be happy? Will I connect with the other residents? Will I find people with similar interests? When my mother moved to Epsom Village, I really thought she would hate it.
I knew her apartment was lovely, with a beautiful garden courtyard but would she adapt to such a new way of living? But once the process of condensing her worldly belongings into a small 2 bedroom apartment was done, life at Epsom Village opened up. With a calendar of regular events, groups, outings, and a gym and heated swimming pool, so many opportunities filled her calendar. New friendships were formed. Opting in and out of activities provided company or privacy. The going-ons of Epsom Village led to the renaming (by our family) of the Village to the Resort! Afternoon teas and evening gatherings, themed events and special visits provided so much vitality and interest that we felt it was like living in a resort. As an only child, with just one parent left, I can’t express how happy I am that my Mother is so happy at Epsom Village. I visit her often and love chatting to her neighbours - such lovely friendships are formed and so many new memories are made at a time and a place that I didn’t imagine it would happen. Thank you Epsom Village - all the staff do an unending job of supporting our treasured family members to embrace their independent retirement living."
Dianne is a very involved member of Epsom Village's community, always participating in social events such as summer garden parties, Christmas functions, and family gatherings. On top of that, she's always one of the stars at one of the most unique events in the village's social calendar: the winter challenge "Take The Plunge." Dianne always dresses up in the most original outfits, and this year she got everybody laughing with her complete 1920s outfit, including a Titanic safety ring.
The heartfelt letter from Heidi, Dianne's daughter, beautifully illustrates the joy and contentment that our community brings to its residents and their families. It is stories like these that reaffirm our commitment to providing a warm, supportive, and enriching environment for all who call Epsom Village home. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and remain dedicated to making every day special for our residents.
If you’d like to know more about joining our community contact Lyn on 021 845 524 or email Lyn.Ellis@realliving.co.nz
