On the cover: Addie Scheg feels right at home in her comfortable apartment at ElderWood Village at Glenwood in Williamsville

   

With pretty flowers, crisp table linens and restaurant-style service, mealtime feels like a special occasion for Mary Ann Cain.
 


Ann Darnell looks forward to home-cooked meals – with lots of delicious choices – in Glenwood’s beautifully decorated dining room.

 


From card games and movies to live performances and outings, there are always appealing things for Rita Peiffer to do.


Roselyn Dearing finds plenty of opportunities for a friendly chat at ElderWood Village at Glenwood.

 
    For Addie Scheg, playing Wii is even more fun than the exercise class she attends every day.    

When it comes to choosing from all the things to do at ElderWood Village at Glenwood, Adeline Scheg doesn’t play favorites – “I go to everything,” she exclaims. “Whatever’s going on, I want to be there!”

So much to do

There certainly is plenty going on in this assisted living residence on Main Street in Williamsville, and staff members confirm that Addie doesn’t miss a thing. In a typical day, she enjoys gathering for home-style meals in the dining room, “hanging out” in the café, and relaxing in the cozy lounge: “When it’s chilly, I like to sit near the fire.”

Addie is an enthusiastic student in Glenwood’s art classes. In addition to taking part in worship services, she loves watching movies and playing Bingo. “I go to exercise class every day,” Addie reports, and Glenwood’s Reminisce program affords “lots of friends and lots of laughs.”

Outings are highly anticipated as well. “We’ll often go shopping or to a special restaurant,” Addie says. “We like having a cocktail and dinner.”

If pressed to name a favorite pastime, Addie would surely choose Glenwood’s abundant live entertainment. “I love the music,” she reveals. “When people come to perform, I sit in the front seat, so if they sing, they sing right to me!”

Finding a new home

Until March 2011, Addie lived in her own home in Williamsville. “It was a lonely life there,” she recalls. Several friends had described how much they liked assisted living; so, when daughters Barbara and Nancy invited her to move in with one of them, Addie had a different plan: “I said I’m happy to go to Glenwood!”

And happy she is. “What’s not to like,” she asks rhetorically. “They clean my apartment, do my laundry and cook for me.” She appreciates that transportation is available for shopping, medical appointments and other errands.

Addie maintains her active life outside Glenwood, too. Accompanied by her sister-in-law, she still attends meetings of the American Legion George F. Lamm Post, where fellow members know her as “Shorty,” and where she ran Bingo for many years.

Good friends, good food

Lively conversations ensue when Addie joins her tablemates in Glenwood’s bright dining room, which features crisp linens and restaurant-style service. “I enjoy mealtimes,” she says, especially because “I don’t have to eat alone.”

The menus win approval, too: “I like the food here, and if I don’t like the day’s specials, I can order something different.”

Praise for Glenwood’s amenities

Addie finds Glenwood’s well-stocked library, with windows overlooking Main Street, a comfortable and quiet place to relax. “I like to see the traffic go by,” she explains, “and if I want, I can listen to the radio and just think about things.”

On balmy days, outdoor tables with comfy chairs draw her to the pretty patio: “I like to sit with my coffee under the umbrellas when it’s nice.” During the warmer months, she gets fresh air on the screened porch, and the live performances she enjoys so much take place in the courtyard.

Both spacious and cozy, Addie’s studio apartment tastefully blends the familiar and the new. She celebrated the move by purchasing a beautiful bed and loveseat to complement favorite furnishings from home. She can read, watch TV, or take a nap in her rocking chair. With a microwave, small refrigerator/freezer and stovetop, the kitchenette is perfect for making coffee, tea or a snack.

Addie also likes the convenience of having her hair done in Glenwood’s beauty salon. Petite and impeccably groomed, she shares that “I put my earrings on every day.”

Praise for the people, too

Addie makes a point of complimenting Glenwood’s staff: “The people are always nice and friendly – they treat you very well!” Besides day-to-day assistance with her medications, Addie values safety features such as the bathroom railings and emergency pull cord. The staff’s quick response time is important, too. Remembering an occasion when she didn’t feel well, Addie recounts, “I just pulled the cord and they were right here. They take good care of me!”

A friendly place to live

The warmth and camaraderie of the assisted living community clearly agree with Addie. Perhaps sensing her empathy, other residents gravitate to her for companionship. “I don’t know what it is,” she says, “but people automatically come to me and talk.” Addie goes out of her way to provide support when new residents arrive, offering reassurance along with coffee and a chat. “I know how it is when you’re older,” she confides. “Sometimes people are afraid to move.” But she herself believes Glenwood is just the right size, so “it’s easier to make friends.”

“I tell people this is the place to go,” Addie concludes. “I’m glad I’m here!”

Come see for yourself

Glenwood’s assisted living options include one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as studios like Addie’s. Call 716-565-9663 or 1-888-826-9663 today to arrange a tour. And be sure to visit the ElderWood website at www.elderwood.com.