Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Why I Love & Live at Concordia
When my daughter suggested I start looking at Independent Living places due to my Parkinson’s disease, we considered Concordia because I knew several people there and they sang its praises. However, I enjoyed living in the Rogers/Bentonville area and wanted to see what other options there were. I was also trying to get my head around the fact that although we were looking at “Independent Living” facilities, I felt my independence was being taken from me. I have been divorced for over 20 years and lived by myself ever since. I started following my grandchildren from state to state (my son-in-law works for Walmart) to be close while they were growing up. Although I always lived in a different town than they did and was on my own, I was very independent. However, in 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. At first the symptoms were mild – tiny, ineligible handwriting and some shuffling of my feet. However, when I moved to Rogers in 2016, my symptoms now included muscle stiffness and balance issues. After several minor falls in my apartment, I had “the big one” and fell, breaking my right elbow. Others followed and while Amy, my daughter, was only a phone call away, it worried her all the time, especially when she was out of town. Thus, we began the search. We looked at several places in Rogers and Bentonville. Some were nice and offered many extras. Some had nice rooms and good meal service. Others were way too expensive, and I just didn’t feel comfortable in one or two of them. I was making a big change in my life and giving up a lot of my possessions. When I toured Concordia the first time, I was made to feel so welcome. From Cindee’s friendly and effervescent manner to the residents and employees I met, everyone made me feel that I would be welcomed. We continued our search and came back to Concordia a couple more times. Not only did I see people I knew from church, but again everyone I ran into was happy and outgoing. I moved in at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown. The movers had to move me in after 8 p.m. and didn’t leave until 11 p.m. Needless to say, I was exhausted. However, as I fell asleep on my bare mattress that first night, I already knew I had made the right choice. The staff knew my name and offered to help in any way they could. Since I moved in, everyone is always concerned about how I am doing. From residents that have seen me walking to those I meet in the hall, the people at Concordia are welcoming, friendly, and wonderful. It has taken me awhile to get involved in all of the many activities that go on here, but I think I needed to rest, examine my mindset, and deal with the changes the pandemic brought. However, I can’t say enough about the staff of Concordia, be it the housekeepers, the dining room staff or the front office. They get an A+++ for the service and care they bring to the residents. I am still amazed at how they knew and used my name from the first day they met me! The residents are special, too. I have had to call on some of them for little things, and they have been there in a second. My neighbors can’t be beat. They are the best! Add the beautiful grounds, the caring staff, and the friendly residents all together, and it comes out to be the best Independent Living community anywhere around. Concerning my “Independence,” I have gained so much more that I believe I really came out ahead!