Last month, we held a resident panel event where prospective residents could hear directly from current residents about the decision to move to Holland Home, the process, and life since. This particular panel was unique because each panelist had actually attended the same event when they were prospective residents themselves. Needless to say, they had many great insights to share. Here’s a recap of what they had to say:

“It’s never too early.”

All of our panel members expressed a desire to begin the process of moving to Holland Home earlier, and encouraged all of those considering the move to get on the waitlist. Our youngest resident on the panel, Sharon, shared:

“If anyone thinks it’s too soon for you, it really isn’t. I’m retired, and I didn’t want to have to repack a home again just because I thought I was too young to be here. But the younger you are, the more things you can take advantage of.” She went on to add that Holland Home’s Lifecare Promise, assurance of care, and peace of mind also played a big role in her decision to move in just past our minimum age of 60. 

Another resident, Debbie, added, “The more time I spend here, the more I love it. I wanted to move while I was young enough to enjoy all of the amenities that Holland Home offers. I’m doing it all, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

If you’re feeling like you’ll never be fully ready to make the move, you’re not alone. Holland Home resident, Tom, found himself not quite as ready as his partner of 24 years. But the desire to “get ahead of the curve” ultimately overtook any doubts. Tom and his partner now happily live at Holland Home just across the road from each other, in separate residences as they always have. A good reminder that the right senior living community doesn’t change your lifestyle, it enhances it. 

“I downsized, but not really.”

Many of the residents agreed that downsizing was one of the more difficult parts of the move. Sorting through decades of stuff collected can be physically and emotionally draining, but it also frees up space for so much more. As one resident, Jim, put it, he may have downsized, but his house “didn’t have a pool, a workshop, or a big garden. So in a lot of ways, we have an awful lot more living space than we did before.”

So, while you may be downsizing your space, you gain access to a vibrant campus full of amenities to use, groups to join, and experiences to take part in. Plus, there is so much to explore just beyond our campus. Sharon echoed Jim’s thoughts, adding:

“Being situated in the heart of Grand Rapids, there are so many things at your fingertips. The convenience of the area, not just the campus itself, is lovely.”

“The level of care at Holland Home is unmatched.”

During the decision-making process, our panelists certainly did their due diligence researching other communities. They consistently found that Holland Home’s care is unmatched. Gen, a previous home care and hospice nurse, had visited many senior living communities in her career and had this to say:

“Holland Home was always a good company to work for and work with. I’ve been to many other senior living communities and nursing facilities, and Holland Home’s quality, nurturing, Christian care really always stood out.”

Jim, a former board member of Holland Home, acknowledged that it was a big decision to make even for him, but Holland Home’s state-led care ratings among CCRCs helped him overcome any hesitation. 

“It’s the best decision I ever made.”

When asked what life has been like since moving to Holland Home, all of our residents spoke positively about their experience, with most emphasizing that their only regret was not making the move sooner. 

Debbie proclaimed, “My life is about as perfect as it can get for me. I can do whatever I want, when I want.” 

Married couple Gen and Jim praised the social lives they’ve acquired since moving here. “When we were in our home, we were finding reasons not to do stuff. But here, there’s a lot of opportunities to be social. We used to eat in 15 minutes at home. Now, you go down to dinner, and two hours later you’re still there talking to people.”

Start the Journey to Senior Living

Our resident panelists said it best: Life only gets better when you move to Holland Home. Whether you are just starting to think about senior living or are deep into your research, we are here to help. If you would like to learn more about Holland Home or schedule a tour, please give us a call at 616-643-2730 or email info@hollandhome.org.