If you’re considering senior living, it’s important to hear from residents who’ve gone through the process of transiting to a senior living community. Jeanne lives with her golden retriever/labrador retriever Joyce at Era Living's Aljoya Mercer Island retirement community.

Jeanne says, "I decided that I didn't want to live in my own home. I loved my house, and loved my neighbors, and my family. But any time I didn't feel well, I got really anxious. So I wanted to go someplace that had a health service. And I looked at 12 places, I didn't go into all of them. My criteria was that they would take a big dog — most places don't — and that we could walk out the door and go for a walk. Aljoya Mercer Island ... is the only one that met those criteria, and I was happy to move. I've been happy since the day I walked in the door. And they found the perfect apartment for me. I wanted a one bedroom den, where I could get out to the outside without going through the building."

Jeanne adds, "I think the biggest surprise to me was that I have more friends than I've had since I was in college. It's not like living in a condo, where you walk out and you don't know anybody. You walk out and somebody is there, you may not even know them, but you talk to them and, and it's very friendly."

“I would say one other thing — because I've been on the music committee and had to find musical activities, and had to advertise them, I have found a creative side to myself that I never thought of. I mean, I can sew and I can knit and I can do crown and cross stitch and that, but I just never had the opportunity to be in charge of something where I really didn't have to report to anybody. And have funds for things. I think that's been one of the most rewarding things of being here."

Hear more podcasts from Era Living at Answers for Elders, including conversations with other residents, at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/

Learn more about:
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/.
Era Living at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/
Aljoya Mercer Island, located at 2430 76th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040-2807: http://www.eraliving.com/communities/mercer-island/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/
Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

If you’re considering senior living, it’s important to hear from residents who’ve gone through the process of transiting to a senior living community. Jeanne lives with her golden retriever/labrador retriever Joyce at <a href="https://answersforelders.com/era-living/">Era Living</a>'s <a href="https://www.eraliving.com/communities/mercer-island/">Aljoya Mercer Island</a> retirement community.
Jeanne says, "I decided that I didn't want to live in my own home. I loved my house, and loved my neighbors, and my family. But any time I didn't feel well, I got really anxious. So I wanted to go someplace that had a health service. And I looked at 12 places, I didn't go into all of them. My criteria was that they would take a big dog — most places don't — and that we could walk out the door and go for a walk. Aljoya Mercer Island ... is the only one that met those criteria, and I was happy to move. I've been happy since the day I walked in the door. And they found the perfect apartment for me. I wanted a one bedroom den, where I could get out to the outside without going through the building."
Jeanne adds, "I think the biggest surprise to me was that I have more friends than I've had since I was in college. It's not like living in a condo, where you walk out and you don't know anybody. You walk out and somebody is there, you may not even know them, but you talk to them and, and it's very friendly."
“I would say one other thing — because I've been on the music committee and had to find musical activities, and had to advertise them, I have found a creative side to myself that I never thought of. I mean, I can sew and I can knit and I can do crown and cross stitch and that, but I just never had the opportunity to be in charge of something where I really didn't have to report to anybody. And have funds for things. I think that's been one of the most rewarding things of being here."
Hear <a href="https://answersforelders.com/era-living/">more podcasts from Era Living</a> at Answers for Elders, including conversations with other residents, at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
Learn more about: <a href="https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/">Answers for Elders</a>: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/. <a href="https://answersforelders.com/era-living/">Era Living at Answers for Elders</a>: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/ <a href="https://www.eraliving.com/">Era Living's website</a>: <a href="https://www.eraliving.com/">https://www.eraliving.com/</a> <a href="https://www.eraliving.com/communities/mercer-island/">Aljoya Mercer Island</a>, located at 2430 76th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040-2807: http://www.eraliving.com/communities/mercer-island/
<a href="https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/">Answers for Elders</a> is part of the <a href="https://www.seniorresource.com/">SeniorResource Network</a>: <a href="https://www.seniorresource.com/">https://www.seniorresource.com/</a> Check out our affiliate podcast <a href="https://alzheimersspeaks.com/">Alzheimer’s Speaks</a>: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/

Answers for Elders is the North Star in Navigating Senior Care.  Our content is designed to Empower Seniors and their Families through the Daunting Journey of Aging.

Featuring our host, Suzanne Newman and top industry providers across the USA, together, we support, coach and assist seniors, caregivers and their families in finding the best independent solutions in world of aging, with a comprehensive line-up of topics covering Health & Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, and Money & Law.

Answers for Elders is the North Star in Navigating Senior Care.  Our content is designed to Empower Seniors and their Families through the Daunting Journey of Aging.
Featuring our host, Suzanne Newman and top industry providers across the USA, together, we support, coach and assist seniors, caregivers and their families in finding the best independent solutions in world of aging, with a comprehensive line-up of topics covering Health &amp; Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, and Money &amp; Law.

Answers For Elders Radio Network

Empowering Seniors and their Families through the Daunting Journey of Aging

For Caregivers: If you're caring for a senior loved one, or navigating later life care, we help make the journey so much easier for you and your family.

For Seniors: We help you be proactive to prepare for your aging years ahead, honoring your wishes.

Featuring our host, Suzanne Newman and top industry providers across the USA, together, we support, coach and assist families in finding the best independent solutions in world of aging, with a comprehensive line-up of topics covering Health & Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, and Money & Law.

Empowering Seniors and their Families through the Daunting Journey of Aging
For Caregivers: If you're caring for a senior loved one, or navigating later life care, we help make the journey so much easier for you and your family.
For Seniors: We help you be proactive to prepare for your aging years ahead, honoring your wishes.
Featuring our host, Suzanne Newman and top industry providers across the USA, together, we support, coach and assist families in finding the best independent solutions in world of aging, with a comprehensive line-up of topics covering Health &amp; Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, and Money &amp; Law.

Answers for Elders

Era Living resident Jeanne Luchtel talks about her life with her dog at Aljoya Mercer Island's retirement community.

A Day in the Life at Era Living: Resident Jeanne Luchtel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b3f0fa59-b424-424f-91c3-b05a01536da2/transcript

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