Aging Gracefully: A Story from Southminster Place

“My mother was a beautiful woman, right up until the day she died,” said Mary, a resident in our Southminster Place community. “I hope I’m aging as gracefully as she did – I’m trying to!”

Mary believes having the wonderful support of her children and her husband Chuck— and her commitment to taking care of herself — have been essential to her aging well both physically and emotionally.

Mary never envisioned living in a care community, but she’s grateful for the support and fellowship at Southminster Place.

“They do everything for us so that we don’t have to worry about it. I started to hate having to cook later in my life, so having that done for me is so helpful,” Mary said. “Being able to interact with people my age who are in similar life circumstances is great as well – the community feeling is wonderful.”

Vicki, Mary’s daughter, appreciates that Southminster team members are ready to help if either she or her husband experience a health event or injury.

“My dad has had a couple of episodes where I couldn’t get there quickly, the nurse called me right away to tell me what was happening. I take comfort knowing the team is right there to take care of them. They’re warm, friendly and wonderful caregivers,” Vicki said.

Prior to moving into Southminster Place, Mary and Chuck had downsized from a large home to an independent living patio home on the Presbyterian SeniorCare Network Washington campus. When Vicki saw that they needed more assistance, she guided them toward a personal care community still within the Network.

“The very first time I called Southminster I spoke to Tara, a Sales Advisor,” Vicki said. “She stayed involved every step of the way—always helpful, always available when my parents needed her. She’s just been so wonderful to us.”

At Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, taking caring for older adults is our calling. Stories like this one about Mary and her family remind us of why we love what we do.

Visit info.SrCare.org/personal-care to learn more about how we’re Making Aging Easier® for seniors in our care.