Gray says most of the people she meets with tell her they are eager to trade the stress of maintaining large households for more leisure time to explore new interests and hobbies. She says many people are also seeking opportunities to make friends who share those interests, and she emphasizes that Monarch Landing is the perfect place to meet new people. "Monarch Landing enables our residents to start this new chapter in their lives and look forward to an active lifestyle filled with new opportunities," Gray says. "It allows them to pursue the things they truly enjoy and to try the things they’ve always wanted to but never had time for."
In fact, says Greg Mrumlinski, marketing director for Monarch Landing, "We encourage people to make this decision looking forward in life, setting themselves up for success in the coming 10 to 15 years."
Paul Spence, marketing director at Monarch Landing’s sister community, Sedgebrook, in Lincolnshire, echoes Mrumlinski’s and Gray’s sentiments. He says that having an array of activities right on campus makes it easier for people to try new hobbies.
"Moving to Sedgebrook gives a fresh start to accomplish some of the ‘wish list’ items—like painting, learning how to make the most of the Internet, making some new friends, or getting involved in new activities," Spence says.
For Heilman, that is certainly the case. Since moving to Monarch Landing at the end of September, she has reconnected with old friends and made several new ones who share her interest in music. Heilman plays piano, guitar, and clarinet, so she was a natural fit for the community’s hand bell choir, which she joined shortly after moving. She says that making a significant change in her life inspired her to try yet another instrument, so she recently bought a flute and plans to begin playing it soon.
"My fantasy has been to have my piano and get three other musicians together to form a small classical quartet," she says. Now that she lives among hundreds of friends, many of whom share her passion for music, Heilman’s dream could very well come true.
New Year’s resolutions to keep
Heilman says her move has also given her the "kick start" she needed to become more physically active. She says her life in Texas was relatively sedentary, so she was eager to move to Monarch Landing, where she now has access to a heated indoor pool, a fitness center staffed by experts who can help customize workouts, and a variety of group fitness classes to keep residents motivated.
"That was one of the big reasons [I decided to move]," Heilman says. "I needed some help to get my body in shape."
Gray says that Monarch Landing not only helps residents stay active and engaged in life but also encourages them to be physically healthier, whether that means exercising more often or eating healthier foods. "The stresses we want to take away are the physical and financial responsibilities associated with owning a house," Gray says. "A move to Monarch Landing allows our residents to look forward to their future and to set themselves up for success in their retirement years."
Now, in addition to walking her two piebald dachshunds on the community’s landscaped walking trails, Heilman has started an aqua fitness class designed to alleviate arthritis symptoms. With new hobbies new friends, and a new fitness routine that has her feeling more energized, Heilman’s move to Monarch Landing has given her a new lease on life.
Spence says there are many residents at Sedgebrook who, like Heilman, have experienced a renewed interest in enjoying life upon moving to the community. "We hear our residents tell us every day that they wish they had made the move to Sedgebrook sooner," Spence says. "It’s much nicer and fulfilling here than they could ever have expected."