One step at a time

Peabody, MA - Each time Bob and Delores Hendricks visited their daughter and her family, including three young grandsons, in Marblehead, Mass., the couple had one additional stop built into their vacation plans. “When we came up to see the kids, we’d drive over to Brooksby Village,” says Bob, professor emeritus of materials science and engineering at Virginia Tech. “We made sure to stop in and see Jane Kiegel [sales counselor], just to keep in touch.”

Bob and Delores were happy in their home of 32 years in Blacksburg, Va., but they were starting to consider what the future might hold. Brooksby Village, an Erickson Living developed and managed senior living community in Peabody, Mass, offers an active, maintenance-free lifestyle with abundant amenities and services on a scenic 90-acre campus in Peabody, Mass.

“The main consideration for us was living near one of our children,” says Bob. “Our son lives in Boulder, Colorado, so we also looked at Wind Crest [the Erickson Living-managed community in Highlands Ranch, Colo.]. When we joined the priority list at Brooksby Village, it was an attractive benefit to learn our priority list status was transferable to any other community managed by Erickson Living.”

Priority list members are those interested in a potential move to an Erickson Living-managed community, whether in a few months or a few years. To join, there’s a $1,000 deposit to reserve your place in line for the apartment home of your choice. The priority list deposit is fully refundable should you change your mind. If you decide to move, the amount is applied to your entrance deposit.

Deciding factors

“We considered a number of options, including the possibility of purchasing a condo near one of our children, but we felt a condo would only be a temporary step,” says Bob. “We didn’t want to move twice.”

The couple also liked the built-in social opportunities and amenities offered at a large community like Brooksby.

“Our reasons for choosing Brooksby came down to three factors,” says Bob. “We liked the financial plan, activities, and opportunities for social interaction.”

Brooksby’s financial structure has two components: an entrance deposit that’s 90% refundable to you or your heirs, and a monthly service package that covers most regular expenses, including flexible dining plans you can use at the on-site restaurants, all utilities except phone, standard maintenance, trash collection and recycling, and around-the-clock security and emergency response. It’s a model that makes it easy to plan, with no big-ticket repairs or unexpected expenses derailing your budget.

Working out the details

One step closer to a new address at Brooksby Village, Bob and Delores began looking at floor plans. “We originally wanted a two-bedroom, Lancaster style apartment on the ground floor,” says Bob. “Then, during a March 2018 trip to visit our family, Jane showed us a fourth floor Washington-style apartment under renovation. As soon as we walked into the apartment, we knew it was the one.”

Returning to Virginia, Bob and Delores began to prepare for the move. “There’s a myriad of details involved in any move,” says Bob. “We were glad to have the time and resources to prepare, both emotionally and physically.”

Laurie Phillips is the personal moving consultant at Brooksby Village. She offers complimentary coordination of moving resources for anyone moving to the community, including referrals to trusted real estate agents and moving companies. As part of the Erickson family of managed communities, Phillips also has connections across the country, allowing her to be of service to those moving from out-of-state.

“Laurie put us in touch with the personal moving consultant at Greenspring [the Erickson Living-managed community in Springfield, Va.], who made the four-hour drive to our home in Blacksburg and helped us put together a personalized moving plan,” says Bob. “She had recommendations for all the moving services we needed.”

The couple also worked with the Custom Interiors team at Brooksby to add personal touches to their apartment, including built-ins and window treatments.

“Even from a distance, we had the opportunity to be involved in every step of the renovations,” says Bob. “Doing it all through FaceTime worked like a charm.”

Embracing the lifestyle

Bob and Delores moved to Brooksby Village in October 2018. “We went through a lot of life changes all at once,” says Bob. “I retired at the same we were downsizing and selling our Virginia house. We were glad to have the time to get it all done.”

Now, more than two years later, Bob and Delores say their initial reasons for choosing Brooksby are just as relevant today.

“We like the size of the community because of all the activities and the social opportunities,” says Delores. “When you look at smaller facilities, they just don’t have the vibrant activities you’ll find at a large community like Brooksby. We have plenty of activities and clubs to keep us healthy and engaged.”

Bob enjoys swimming in the indoor pool, which is accessible from all apartments on campus via climate-controlled walkways, meaning you’ll never have to step outside with wet hair. He’s also found his niche as the producer of a new television show called Images of Nature, airing on Brooksby TV, a closed-circuit television channel.

Delores is at home in the community’s garden spaces and enjoys the company of friendly neighbors. The fitness center’s exercise programs and the miles of walking trails are a real plus for her.

“We’re thankful to live here,” she says. “We’re safe, we’re in good hands, and we have everything we need.”

About Brooksby Village: Brooksby Village is one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living® and is situated on a scenic 90-acre campus in Peabody, Massachusetts. The not-for-profit community, located in Essex County, is home to 1,700 residents and is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Brooksby Village can be found at BrooksbyVillage.com.

Written by Sara Martin