Family Ties at Wesley Glen
For over a decade, one Wesley Glen resident was able to do what many parents of children with disabilities hope for: secure a safe, engaging community she and her daughter could call their home.
A Mother’s First Priority
When Peggy and her husband were looking for a senior living community, their first priority was her daughter, Allison, whose life was forever altered after a car accident in 1980. “Our top priority was finding a place she could live with great care,” Peggy shared. “We also wanted a place that my husband and I would enjoy and feel supported, and we got that at Wesley Glen.”
Moving to Senior Living as a Family
Moving together as a family, with Peggy and her husband in independent living and Allison in assisted living, brought peace of mind and strengthened family bonds, especially with the other children living nearby. Wesley Glen’s compassionate staff and accessible amenities, including the pool where Allison can exercise comfortably, have assured Peggy that this is the right place for everyone to thrive. “She’s not dependent on us to bring quality to her life. Her siblings are able to do a lot for her, but don’t feel overburdened.”
Long-term Care and Assisted Living
After her husband’s passing, evolving needs, and Allison’s transition to long-term care to receive more comprehensive support, Peggy made the proactive decision to move to assisted living. “I have what I need, and it’s given me peace of mind,” she shared, describing her one-bedroom apartment, thoughtfully designed with independence and connection in mind. “It’s affordable and big enough to comfortably entertain guests. We have a lot of family gatherings, and the space is roomy and arranged in a welcoming way for guests, I can easily make sleeping arrangements and invite friends and family. My daughter uses a wheelchair, and it’s so nice how adaptable my apartment is to accommodate her condition.”
Caregiving and Relationships
While that adaptable layout has ensured Allison can comfortably enjoy visits with her caring mother, Peggy is grateful that caregiving has not defined their relationship. “She has an entirely separate life and has her own activities, we don’t have to do a whole lot with her care,” Peggy explained. “I can enjoy our mother-daughter relationship and not worry about the kind of care she’s getting.”
Therapy and Rehabilitation in Senior Living
And she doesn’t have to worry about her own care either. After experiencing a fall and suffering a shoulder injury, the on-site response and rehabilitation services at Wesley Glen ensured Peggy received immediate care and a smooth transition back home. “The therapy team is so experienced and happy to tailor services to my needs and adapt my apartment and activities of daily living.” As unpleasant an experience as falling is, the associates and resources available reinforced her confidence in choosing a community designed to support residents at every stage.
Activism and Community
This level of attentiveness is made possible by the not-for-profit difference at Wesley Glen that prioritizes responsive care, resident experiences, and meaningful engagement. With Peggy’s background as a nurse and founding member of the Ohio chapter of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), there were also appealing advocacy and leadership roles available in the community. “I really like the opportunities to get involved, it was a very compelling feature for me,” she beamed, listing off her early work on the Welcome Committee, Resident Council, and volunteering at the health center with Allison. “Wesley Glen makes me feel heard and delivers on their promises. I know the various channels and ways to bring up issues and ideas, and I really appreciate how these processes help all the levels of living work together and have opportunities.”
Navigating Ninety
And there’s no slowing down for Peggy as she continues to age gracefully. She created a series of lectures called “Navigating Ninety” with community support after receiving a congratulatory letter from an Ohio representative on her 90th birthday. She laughed and recalled the experience. “It was nice, but I thought, I’m not finished yet! So I created this series to navigate and make the most of living this long. It was four weeks, but I’d love to add to it, there’s always more I’m learning and experiencing myself I can continue to share!”
Family Roots in Senior Living
Wesley Glen’s commitment to excellent services and extraordinary experiences has provided residents with stability, dignity, and freedom to live their lives to the fullest. Today, you may spot Peggy in the library for book club, attending a lecture hosted by the Education Committee, or connecting with her family. “My mother was a night nurse at the Virginia Gay Center at Wesley Glen, so we’ve had three generations here,” she said fondly. “It shows our deep roots go with the Wesley Glen properties and speaks to our longevity. This has been a wonderful experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
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