The unmistakable allure of its picturesque setting draws prospective residents to Brookridge Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, and the long-standing tradition of compassionate care and the unique camaraderie among residents always seals the deal.
For one of its newest residents however, vivacious 74-year-old Anne Adams, the love for this community also seems to run in her family. “I am a second-generation resident at Brookridge,” explains Anne. “My mother moved in when it first opened in 1989, and I’ve felt at home here from my first visit with her.”
Anne’s mother’s experience was so positive that she knew she wanted the same for herself. Plus, she has a beloved aunt – Eloise McManus – who, at almost 98 years of age, is a 30-year Brookridge resident and still lives there independently. “My aunt’s husband required nursing care after 11 years of full active participation in everything this community has to offer,” says Anne. “The care he received – along with the ease of her being able to visit him multiple times a day – were such blessings.”
As one of our newer residents, Anne shares her thoughts on other elements of the community she feels stand out and are important to consider if you are searching for senior living options. “Simply walking in the lobby is a feast for the eyes,” she says. “The openness and beauty are always a pleasure, not to mention the food is delicious! Financially, I also found Brookridge to be a wise investment, and, in comparison with other retirement facilities, I found it to provide the most for my money.”
Brookridge is spacious enough to provide a wide gathering of residents of all ages, with unique backgrounds, so learning new interests while making new friends is an everyday occurrence. As both Anne’s mother and aunt quickly learned, participating in planned activities, group games, exercise programs, and excursions open up even more opportunities for sharing and learning!
“Mom was very involved in activities that opened new doors of creativity for her, including ceramics and dulcimer lessons. I enjoy playing cards, the challenge of puzzles, pool exercises, crafts, and reading,” says Anne. “Plus, the well-stocked library and wonderful pool area are great places to socialize!”
Choosing a retirement facility can be life-changing, and a single visit isn’t enough to fully appreciate the atmosphere. From Anne’s experience, she suggests you visit the facility at different times of the year to get a feel for the surroundings during each season and ask long-time residents what they love most about their community. Brookridge residents overwhelmingly find the natural beauty of the 46-acre wooded campus and garden provide a sense of home, and the apartment home floor plans offer wonderful options. Its convenience to the entire Triad area is a bonus for visiting friends and family members.
With a continuing eye towards innovation and development, Baptist Retirement Homes, which owns Brookridge, is also excited to announce the arrival of Reed VanderSlik as the new President and CEO, taking over leadership from retiring CEO Bill Stillerman, who successfully led the organization for almost 35 years. With over three decades of executive business experience, including over 15 years of executive leadership in the senior living industry, Reed comes to Brookridge from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and holds an MBA from Grand Valley University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Reed and his wife’s move to North Carolina reunites them with two of their three children who live in Charlotte, as the Brookridge “family” continues to grow!
Visit Brookridge Retirement Community – a Continuing Care Retirement Community – at 1199 Hayes Forest Drive in Winston-Salem, or call them at 336-759-1044 to schedule a tour. For a closer look at this beautiful community, visit brookridgecommunity.org.
