“We talked about when would be the right time to move, and then decided why wait. We knew this was the absolute answer to everything we were looking for.”
Flora says Sedgebrook’s biggest draw was its proximity to her sons and two grandchildren. However, Sedgebrook’s Medical Center, Fitness and Aquatics Center, 52,000 square-foot, Cardinal Clubhouse, and 24- hour security sealed the deal.
“Security was very important,” Flora says. “I feel very secure that if something happens to me or Charles, we will be okay. We have built a nucleus of friends. We have a great social life here.
“We have peace of mind here. I told my sons that they do not realize what a big favor we did for them by not moving in with them and by getting the 100% Refundable Entrance Deposit.”
Staff comes through for Flora
Flora said the care she received from Sedgebrook’s staff when she woke up one Sunday suffering from complications from a tooth extraction clearly confirmed that she and Charles made the right choice in moving to Sedgebrook.
“I called downstairs and asked if there was any way I could talk to Dr. Elliott Kroger, the Medical Center’s on-site physician,” Flora said. “Dr. Kroger was on the phone two minutes later. He told me what to do.
“Two minutes after that, security called to see if I was okay, or if they could go get medicine for me. I thought that was wonderful. It was a wonderful experience.”
Couple involved in community activities
Charles serves on the Entertainment Committee with Flora, but says he is more of a private person than his wife.
“I am not a mixer like my wife,” he says. “I told everybody when we moved here to give it six months and my wife will be running the place. That is just about the case.”
Flora chairs the Entertainment Committee, and serves on the Resident Life Committee. She also works with Community Services Manager Michael McCann, planning many Sedgebrook social events.
“I have to be out and about, which makes Sedgebrook perfect for me,” Flora says. “We have a very good social circle. Everybody here is delightful. I take advantage of the Fitness Center by walking an hour a day on the treadmill and I swim in the pool.
“You can be as active as you want to be. Sedgebrook staff encourages you to get out and meet your neighbors. Each day is a social event. We like to eat with different people every night. We get seated with other people, or they get seated with us. It is not preplanned, and we like that.”’
No more worries
Flora says Sedgebrook allows her and Charles to take off on vacation without a worry in the world.
“We took a trip to Branson, Mo., and we did not have to worry about our mail or our home,” she says. “In New Jersey, we had to worry about having a neighbor look in on our house to make sure nobody broke in. We had to stop the mail. At Sedgebrook they keep our mail for us and watch our home.
“The financial security here is big for me. We know we’re here for life. We do not have to leave. The money is refundable. Everything is settled.”
Charles says Chicago’s winter weather is not a problem because of everything that is located inside the Cardinal Clubhouse, including the Shorelinerestaurant, Monarch Café, Fitness and Aquatics Center, on-site postal center, Medical Center, Cardinal Spa and Salon, game, meeting, and computer rooms, and other amenities.
“Having everything indoors is great,” Charles says. “Getting your money back is great. Not having anything to worry about is great. Everything about this place is great.”