Connecting to What Matters Most at the Village at Brookfield Common

In 2017, Diane Arico of Danbury and her siblings grew concerned about their parents, Jim and Margaret. Both were unsteady on their feet and were becoming forgetful. After 70 years of marriage, the siblings didn’t feel like it was safe for them to be on their own.

“My parents were inseparable; they were tied together at the hip. Mom didn’t drive, so he took her everywhere. They even worked together at MetLife with their desks across from one another. His eyes lit-up when she walked in the room,” said Diane.

Jim and Margaret had grown up in the same neighborhood. They connected through mutual friends and family during World War II when he was a pilot in the Army. Together they raised four children.

When Margaret died, 96-year old Jim was devastated. “When mom passed, a huge piece of my dad died too,” said Diane.

Jim stayed with Diane at her Danbury home for a short time. Despite being relatively healthy, he fell a few times and would occasionally leave the stove on. Diane wasn’t comfortable leaving him alone.

More importantly, the siblings wanted their dad to be able to enjoy a more social environment. “My dad worked in sales for almost his entire career, so he was a very friendly, social person. We wanted him to be around more people and have fun things to do rather than being home alone,” said Diane.

The siblings looked at several assisted living communities before settling on The Village at Brookfield Common, a Benchmark assisted living and Mind & Memory Care community. “Everyone was so warm and kind. They immediately made him feel so special at a time when he needed it most,” said Diane.

At The Village, residents enjoy programs throughout each day, such as lectures, off-site trips, games and daily social hour that helps to nurture residents’ passions and connections. The community also features allday dining with three meals a day served restaurantstyle. For those who need it, 24/7 personalized care is also provided.

Over the years, Diane has grown to love The Village’s associates and other residents so much that she too joined the community, not as a resident, but as a volunteer. Using her high school teaching skills, Diane works as a programming assistant. She helps to facilitate programs and has become a friend to many of the residents.

“We all want to be treated like a person with the utmost respect. Every single person at The Village goes above and beyond to make each resident feel special. The positive energy that they have and their deep caring for everyone is contagious. I love it here,” said Diane.

Jill Neugroschl also knows what it’s like to receive excellent care because she’s received it at The Village for seven years.

In 2014, at the age of 65, a back surgery gone wrong left her unable to walk or use her legs. After rehab, her three-story colonial was no longer suitable, and she needed help bathing and getting dressed.

Jill looked at other communities in the Brookfield area. None of them offered the breadth of quality services that The Village did, including the daily assistance she needs, transportation to doctor’s appointments, on-site supportive healthcare services and excellent food.

Upon moving into her own private apartment with a balcony, Jill befriended the communities then Resident Council president. Soon after, she found herself in the role of assistant vice president of the Resident Council and for the past five and a half years, has served as president.

Like Diane, Jill volunteers and helps to keep the community humming and harmonious. “We provide another means for each of The Village’s residents to have a voice in everything from food to activities,” said Jill.

She also helps keep residents engaged in programs by promoting activities and running the monthly Resident Council meeting.

This is the best place I can be at this stage in my life,” said Jill. “The staff here is unbelievably friendly and helpful. In seven years, I’ve never once regretted my decision to move here.”

For more information, about The Village at Brookfield Common, visit VillageAtBrookfieldCommon. com or call 203.894.6249.