Chris' Corner

Chris Serold

Welcome to Chris’ Corner! Chris Serold is delighted to once again contribute to Northwest Prime Time. Chris draws on a 25-year career in the senior housing industry to offer insight and perspective on topics of interest to today’s retirees. She looks forward to sharing her expertise with Northwest Prime Time readers, and welcomes suggestions, questions and feedback. Chris invites you to e-mail her at chris.serold@chateaullc.com

I recently wrote an article for our newsletter thanking our residents for being a warm and welcoming community. We often take our hospitality responsibility for granted. Without verbalizing it, we have these subconscious thoughts that someone else will take care of it and we go on about our busy day. To truly be a welcoming community, like anything else we are committed to, we must agree it is important and then intentionally work diligently to remind ourselves, other residents and staff, that we are making it a priority. It is of high importance.

Every individual who moves to a retirement community faces the transition, from home to retirement apartment, with mixed feelings. There is a fear of the unknown combined with high expectations and, of course, comfort knowing others have made this same transition. It is a new concept, one that offers the challenge of embracing a new home, meeting new people, remembering a lot of new names and even learning a few new schedules. Every day, each of us plays an important part in this transition, whether it is our own or that of a fellow resident. Change and transition in our lives is inevitable. It is those we meet along the way that help us move from apprehension about our new home to enjoyment of it.

I believe the place in which we live needs to be a center of meaningful living and personal enrichment. It should be a place where we feel we belong. Receiving and treating new residents in a warm, friendly and generous way is a wonderful attribute, but it is only the beginning of a resident’s engagement and integration into a community. Each and every day we are given opportunities to recommit ourselves to lightening the burden of others by welcoming them to share in the life of the community.

For some, involvement in a community comes relatively easy; for others, it is much more challenging. Sampling a variety of life enrichment activities is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Engaging in life enrichment activities can also broaden experiences and allow residents opportunities they may not have had previously. The activity calendar is the first step to finding out what a community offers. A robust calendar should include activity opportunities that fall into one of five different categories: physical, educational, mental, spiritual and social. There is no greater satisfaction for residents and staff alike than to begin seeing new faces on the fitness equipment, at vespers or happy hour, at a history class, an afternoon music program or as a new member of a committee. Those already enmeshed in the community are integral to new residents transitioning in. It truly does “take a village” to ensure new folks are feeling a welcome part of their new community. We are all walking this journey together.

If you would like information about Chateau Bothell Landing or to schedule a tour and free lunch, please call Community Relations Director Mary Benz or Rob Finley at 425.485.1155 or email Mary. Benz@ chateaullc.com. Visit our website at www. chateau-bothell-landing.com