It has been almost two years since my mom decided to sell her condo and move into an independent senior living community. It was totally her decision and I know how lucky that makes me and that it made this transition easier for both of us.
Still, I had mixed thoughts about this move. For starters, when we started thinking about a move it was 2021 and although my mom had been vaccinated for Covid I was still wary of a resurgence and lockdowns. She was also still active and driving. Was this move happening too soon?
But Mom was anxious to visit this Grand Living facility and so, in March of 2021, we took our first tour.
I had already looked at a couple of independent senior options near our home in Florida and I knew from that experience to expect impressive entrances.
Grand Living did not disappoint. In fact, it surpassed everything I had seen in Florida.
The towering stone fireplace is a head-turner and the casual decor reflects a homey Midwest style that feels comfortable and familiar.
What I didn't expect were so many other amenities. The design and attention to detail at Grand Living, which was strongly influenced by the Ritz Carlton style concept, took the idea of senior living and elevated it to a whole new standard.
Across the hall from the living room is this stunning library.
Another fireplace, tasteful seating, a puzzle table, and that ceiling... Wow! The ceiling treatment was created to reinforce the concept that books are windows to the world. Lovely.
If you turn left off of the main lobby you will pass the mail area. You would think this would be a mundane space but even the mail room is pretty! It reminds me of an elegant and high-end apartment building in the city.
Go further down this wing and you will find physical therapy rooms, massage rooms, telehealth rooms, a fitness center, and even a hair and nail salon!
Cardio classes, yoga, balance classes, and even virtual pedaling classes are available for residents interested in keeping fit.
Outdoors there is a terrific patio area with pastoral views and a walking trail.
But it doesn't end there.
Grand Living also boasts three different dining room options; a casual dining area, a more formal venue, and the Bistro which is a great place to grab a salad, soup, or sandwich and watch the game
The idea was that the residents would have choices of where and what they felt like eating. But, like so many other businesses, staffing has been a major issue, and serving the residents in multiple dining rooms has proven to be a challenge. The Bistro is currently only available on certain evenings and by reservation only. Still, when available, it is a great option. Hopefully, the staffing issues will soon be resolved.
Cafe Linn
formal dining
There are multiple meeting rooms, a large event room, and a chapel but one of my favorite spots is the Legends Lounge on the top floor. This is where some of the real fun begins with Happy Hours, movies, and smaller group celebrations.
The residents can even have their own liquor locker!
This is all so totally different from the assisted living setup that my grandma experienced and at the time we thought that was incredible. But, the concept of having so many amenities right on campus is definitely appealing and much more common now. There is a shuttle van available to transport residents to numerous outings such as grocery stores, Target, the mall, and cultural events. Plus, Grand Living offers the free option to reserve a town car for personal appointments.
Are you amazed? Wait until you see my mom's apartment. It is gorgeous! This is a sneak peek but sign up for Be Colorful Coastal emails or follow Be Colorful Coastal on Instagram to see the second part of this post featuring my mom's apartment.
