As we age and transition into the new lifestyle associated with retirement, there is always a level of worry on both sides. A change this big affects both the senior and immediate family directly. Whether it’s the worry of losing independence, fearing the unknown, or the anxiety associated with ensuring your parents are properly and lovingly cared for, we at Bermuda Village want to ensure all possible unknowns are communicated and taken care of.
As we transition into the new year, we want to take a moment to step back and reflect on all the wonderful moments and memories we have had with our residents. During this past year, we have been honored to be completely transparent with our residents and their families in regard to COVID-19, in order to restore each families’ tight knit connection. Additionally, we have continued to provide services and amenities that are second to none. We are proud to offer our residents a flexible and elegant community where comfort and an enhanced quality of life are our top priorities.
“The feeling of new beginnings associated with the new year is incredibly exciting for me and our residents,” says Kyle Jones, Executive Director of Bermuda Village. “I, personally, love taking advantage of new opportunities as well as reflecting on past accomplishments. My goal is to always give our residents the best version of myself and our team is constantly checking in to ensure they do the same. When looking back on 2020, I can’t help but think about celebrations, such as turning 100 years old.”
“I am so excited to share a letter we have recently received from their six children: Pat, Doug, Bruce, Donna, Dan and Craig,” says Kyle “Give yourself a few minutes to read the wonderful, loving words the Rogers children wrote for their mother Betty’s 100th birthday.”
Tribute to Bermuda Village Lifestyle and Care Retirement Community
December 4, 2020 – Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Rogers turned 100 years old.
Mom was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky and at the age of two, moved with her parents to Warren, Ohio. There she grew up, met and married Richard (Dick) Rogers and together they raised a family of six children, contributed to the community serving on boards, in the schools and were active members of First Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed a rich and active life with family and friends in Warren for over 70 years.
Twenty-five years or so ago, Betty and Dick decided to retire at Bermuda Village. They had enjoyed playing golf and vacationing at Tanglewood and decided the active lifestyle and progressive care options Bermuda Village offered would serve them well for the rest of their lives. And it has!
Our parents have enjoyed, used and needed every aspect of the lifestyle offered at Bermuda Village. They were in their mid-70s when they first arrived and enjoyed golf, bridge, volunteering in the community, sponsored excursions and nearly all of the amenities supported by caring staff. They also made countless friends, were active in the Clemmons Presbyterian Church and enjoyed the dining options available to them. They loved having tickets to the Crosby Golf Tournament and were thrilled when Arnold Palmer showed up to play.
As their kids, at times it felt like we almost had to make appointments to see our parents because they were so busy with social activities. But then as time passed, Dad’s health began to decline due to Parkinson’s disease. He still enjoyed playing bridge until he no longer could follow the cards. We saw how kindly the staff treated him when he could no longer remember names or walk to the dining room.
For at least three years, he struggled, and Mom struggled along with him, not easily accepting that the man she had married was no longer able to care for himself. Finally, when caring for him became too much for her, they were able to move into Assisted Living. There, Mom received all the help she needed caring for dad and getting the daily interaction and emotional support from staff she needed until he died at the age of 90+ on February 14, 2010. Mind you, we, her children, were there to support them the whole time, but their daily needs were met by Bermuda Village qualified and caring staff.
We had a lovely funeral in the large living room that was filled to capacity. A wine and cheese reception followed that my father would have been pleased to attend. During this time, as their adult children, we realized that just as we and their friends mourned the loss of our father, so did the staff who had cared for and actively participated in the lives of our parents for 15 years.
Mom could have sunk into depression and given up, but that was not her style. Instead, she moved back into her condo, spent some time grieving and then got back into life volunteering at church, attending the symphony, playing bridge and mahjong, dining with the Blue Shirt Ladies, tending her garden and enjoying life with friends at Bermuda Village and spending holidays and special occasions with us. She also became very close to Allen Rethmier and Bev Cupsky, who had lost their spouses about the same time that she did. These friendships would grow and add zest to her life until Allen passed at the age of 98. Bev remains one of her lasting friends.
At age 95, Mom fell and broke her leg. After surgery, she spent three months in the health center recovering. We would come to visit her, wheel her up to her condo in a wheelchair to get a few things or to just let her sit in her home, which she loved. This gave her energy to get well so she could get back home and back into life. Because of the great care she received and her amazing will, she recovered fully and got back into her condo and living life among friends. Sometime after that, she quit going to the fitness classes and her energy waned. She began using a walker and became more comfortable staying in her condo. After a few falls, we realized that she needed more care, but she was not ready for full Assisted Living, so we opted for the Enhanced Living option. There were several times when a CNA or other staff helped her after she had fallen, ensured she got to the health center for appointments or helped her set up for bridge gatherings in her home. These, mostly ladies, cared for our mother day in and out. They encouraged her and treated her with respect, even when she repeated herself countless times, and became like members of her family to her. As her memory slipped more and more, we watched as they took it in stride and never scolded or treated her with anything other than unconditional love. What a blessing this option was for her and for us.
When COVID-19 came crashing into our lives in March, we were grateful to be able to slip in the back door of her condo for visits and to take her home with us for dinners or stay for a few days. We can only imagine the extra work and concern the staff has endured during this time. But Bermuda Village has had an outstanding record of keeping the virus at bay when other congregate living sites have seen widespread outbreaks. This is quite a testimony to the care and professionalism of all of the staff members.
So, until a few weeks ago, we were planning some sort of family gathering to celebrate mom turning 100. We had reserved rooms and cottages at Tanglewood Park for her kids and grandkids, and even reserved a dining room at Bermuda Run Country Club for a special dinner. Those plans came crashing down when mom fell in late October and broke her knee badly. After surgery and several days in the hospital, she was able to move into a lovely room in the rehab center. But all of a sudden, COVID-19 restrictions applied to us and our ability to see her. The staff has been most accommodating helping us set up window visits and ensuring she gets the special things we bring her. She is most complimentary of the care she is getting and understands how staff are working to keep her as comfortable as possible. Time will only tell if she will be able to move out of rehab into Assisted Living in 2021.
With the help of staff on December 4, 2020, five of her six children and their spouses gathered somewhere with her to laugh and joke and celebrate our wonderful mom and the gift she has been to us our whole lives. She is our mom, but we realize that many of the Bermuda Village staff have been an extended part of her family for years. You have loved her well and it is a great tribute to the care you have given her that we celebrated her 100th birthday. She has a special place in her heart for you, as we know you have for her.
On December 4, we celebrated 100 years of a life lived in faith, in truth, in hope and love. But the greatest of these is love!
God Bless and thank you all,
Pat, Doug, Bruce, Donna, Dan and Craig Rogers
What We Can Offer at Bermuda Village
We hope these kind words by the Rogers family remind you of the power of a strong, committed relationship built both within your family and within the retirement community you choose. We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with both Betty and Dick and will be continuing to show Betty all the love she has given us these past 15 years.
If you are looking for a senior living community that can provide you or your loved ones with the level of care and safety that the Rogers spoke of above, give us a call at (336) 899-0583. We would love to talk with you and help ease some of the anxiety of this worthwhile transition.
