Silver Maples Residents Tell Their Stories

Paul and Vi

Paul had a high standard for community amenities. Vi demanded a place that allowed freedom and independence, and felt like a home, not an institution. ... We compared notes after our first visit and were pleasantly surprised at how closely we agreed that Silver Maples met our needs and desires for retirement living.

Last year at this time, we were planning a trip from our home in Rhode Island to visit our daughter in Ann Arbor. We liked to see her, and our grandchildren, as often as we could. But frankly, making the 800+ mile trip was becoming more of a challenge each year. So was keeping up a nine-room house, for that matter. Still, we tended to resist our daughter’s gracious-but persistent suggestions that we consider a retirement center in her area. Oh, we’d checked out a few places in and around Ann Arbor on previous visits. But none of them really appealed to us.

Admittedly, we may have had different expectations than most. Paul had served on the Board of Directors of a very fine retirement center in Rhode Island, so he had a high standard for community amenities. Vi had volunteered for a church organization that endeavored to help seniors stay in their homes as long as possible, so she demanded a place that allowed freedom and independence, and felt like a home, not an institution.

We didn’t have particularly high hopes when our daughter convinced us to visit Silver Maples in late summer of 2007. We certainly had no expectation of moving anytime soon. But we compared notes after our first visit and were pleasantly surprised at how closely we agreed that Silver Maples met our needs and desires for retirement living.

Vi loved the physical environment, both inside and outside. There was plenty of room for all our books, ample counter space in the kitchen and baths, and a neat layout that incorporated a built-in washer and dryer. The grounds were absolutely beautiful, truly a feast for the eyes. And having excellent medical services and shopping a few minutes away are real plusses.

Paul was pleased with the friendly, open staff who seemed genuinely concerned with making the community a real home for residents. Since food and friends are vital parts of life, we accepted the opportunity to lunch with two residents. Both the food and the company were wonderful, prime examples of the excellent meals available here daily and the friendly people who live and interact here.

We’ve been residents of Silver Maples for eight months now, and the “honeymoon” continues. We love it here.