Touching Lives Stories

Art and Denise’s Story: Letting Love Bloom at Heritage Woods

The transition to assisted living community is different for everyone. It can harder for some people to give up their home and independence than it is for others. Other people realize that they have lived the way wanted; they embrace the fact that they are older and need others to help care for them.

Denise was one of those residents who was not pleased when it was time to leave her home. She became depressed and filled with anxiety. It was hard for her family to see Denise this way. During mealtimes, we noticed that she loved to be social and talk with other residents. But once meals were over, that ended. She went back to her apartment. She didn’t attend activities and kept to herself. The same routine went on for months, and that worried her loved ones.

Then, she met Art. He was extremely social and embraced the idea of supportive living. Art loved to talk with other residents, play bingo and attend happy hour events. At one point, several ladies at our community were vying for his attention. One day, he sat at the same table as Denise. The discovered they had a lot in common. After a few more meals together, people started to talk.

They both caught wind of the whispers and thought it would be funny to meet up before lunch and walk into the dining room holding hands. That was the beginning of something special.

Art and Denise are now a couple, and they do everything together. Their relationship has empowered Denise to start living her life again. It has been special for Art, too. He told us he never thought he could feel this happy again. They have become our community’s “it” couple. They mingle, attend activities, and occasionally go out to enjoy dinner with their families.

As they continue to enjoy their time together, Art and Denise have shown us that love happens when you least expect it – even at Heritage Woods of McHenry.

Jim’s Story: Accepting Love, Kindness and Assistance From Friends

At the insistence of his family, Jim moved to Heritage Woods in 2013.

Jim is a “man’s man.” He is a retired officer from the Chicago Police Department and a retired rancher, so a senior living community was not what he had in mind. Jim was not without health issues, but he wanted to manage his diabetes and some forgetfulness on his own.

Slowly, Jim settled into his new environment. It did not take long for him to start reaping the benefits of all the excellent care he was receiving from the staff at his new community.

Jim was feeling so well that he decided that he no longer needed the supportive living lifestyle and decided to give it a go in a private subsidized senior apartment complex. Our staff was sad and tried to talk him out of moving, but we decided to support him in his decision.

We did not hear from Jim for almost a year. Then, he showed up at our building with his heart on his sleeve and told us he wanted to come back. Jim, looking a little disheveled, pale and much thinner, began the process of getting on our waitlist.

Later, Jim admitted that it was not as easy as he thought it would be living on his own again. He realized with age and his health concerns, he could not manage it all alone. Of course, we welcomed him back with open arms.

Now that Jim has been back with us for a few years now, he is healthy and receiving all of the services he needs. He has many friends in the building and even has a better relationship with his family.

Life is not about doing it all on your own; it is about accepting the love, kindness and caring others that want to share with you.

Frank’s Story: Three Meals a Day, a Place to Call Home and Dignity Restored

When people think about how they will live their lives, they envision how everything will turn out. They will grow old with their partner, live in the house they shared together until it is time for them to leave this Earth. Well, that is not everyone’s story. We all go through transitions. Births, deaths, health issues, divorce, and losses are all a normal part of life.

For some people, even one of these transitions can be devastating, and it can be hard to get your head above water again. It’s even harder if you are older and find yourself without a support system.

That is what happened to Frank, a resident at Heritage Woods since early 2016.

He had always been a happy person and rolled with the punches until he faced one of life’s difficult transitions.

His mother got sick. He put all of his time, effort and money into his mother’s care. Eventually, he found himself without any money, without a home, and sadly, in the end, without his mother.

Depending on friends, church members and senior services, Frank really had nowhere else to turn. Although grateful, Frank used these support systems to sustain himself. Lunch at senior services and sleeping on a church member’s couch was not way to live.

With the help and support of a concerned friend, Frank was introduced to the concept of supportive living. Frank wasn’t sure about the idea at first, but after a few visits, he was ready to move.

Now, Frank is a thriving member of our community. With a place to call home, three meals a day, and a roof over his head, his dignity has been restored.