Touching Lives Stories

Gwen’s Story: Sharing Her Love of Reading

When Gwen’s beloved dog passed on, she felt alone.

It wasn’t until she had a new love to care for that she began to feel whole again.

Gwen moved in shortly after Lacey Creek opened and noticed that as the community filled with residents, the Lacey Creek Library filled with book donations.

She has always had a love for books and decided to become our bookkeeper.

Today, Gwen has taken on the responsibility of organizing the books to help residents find their selections easier. Caring for the library has given her purpose and she enjoys helping residents who share her love of reading.

Dottie’s Story: Helping Friends Find Their Place at Lacey Creek

Dottie loves her life at our community, and she is what we call a Lacey Creek Ambassador.

Before moving here, she lived with her daughter, Tina, and son-in-law, Michael, in Downers Grove.

“It was time for them to have their own life,” Dottie says. “I had a wonderful life with my husband, just the 2 of us, and I wanted Tina to have the same.”

That is what ignited her search for a new place to call home. She toured many communities, looking for the perfect place. It was at another community that they heard about Lacey Creek.

“Someone told us about a brand new community right here in Downers Grove, ” she said, “so we booked a tour.”

Dottie knew Lacey Creek was the one during her visit. The staff made her feel welcome and answered all her questions.

“I could pick where I wanted to be, and I picked here,” she said. “I have a nice apartment on the first floor that’s just right for me.”

The good impression hasn’t wavered.

Dottie has made Lacey Creek her home, and she’s made countless new friends, including Judy and Dorothy. The trio calls themselves The Three Musketeers. They eat meals together and attend many of the same activities.

Today, it’s not uncommon to see Dottie welcoming new residents and helping them get acclimated. She enjoys many of the activities offered at Lacey Creek, including dice games, baking, crafts and bingo.

She also loves the fact that Lacey Creek is in Downers Grove near where she lived with her daughter. This gives her the opportunity to do many things she did before she moved in, such as attending church on Sundays and going out to eat with friends.

Dottie is happy she decided to move to Lacey Creek, and we are happy she is here. Her kindness and compassion for others makes Lacey Creek an enjoyable place for all us!

Doris’ Story: Independent and Worry-free, She Found Home Sweet Home

Doris was living with her son and his family, and she felt like she was underfoot. She didn’t drive anymore, so she couldn’t help with dropping the kids off at school, and wasn’t keeping up with housework and meal prep like she used to. When her granddaughter pointed out construction beginning on Lacey Creek, Doris began thinking about moving.

“I never lived alone in my whole life,” Doris said. “I lived with my parents through high school, had roommates in college, and then got married and raised my family. This was finally a chance for me to be independent.”

That independence came to Doris at Lacey Creek. She moved in on the first day we opened and has been keeping busy ever since. She is the secretary for our Resident Council, records attendance during activities and welcomes new residents.

Doris is extremely social and enjoys attending activities. Her favorite things to do are baking, making crafts and decoupaging, playing games and attending parties and socials. You can find Doris sitting outside on the front patio in nice weather where she likes to greet visitors and chat with everyone who comes in.

Her worries here are few, and Doris loves that she doesn’t have to cook, clean or do laundry.

“Everyone here is friendly and helpful,” she says of the staff. “Lacey Creek is truly home sweet home!”