When Susan Ford was seeking a new place to live, she knew as soon as she saw it that the Village Shores Senior Community in Richfield would be a good fit. Susan and her husband had raised a family in a house in South Minneapolis, near Minnehaha Creek. When her husband passed away five years ago, she stayed in her home for another two years before deciding that she didn’t want to worry about the shoveling, grass cutting, and general upkeep of the house. She also didn’t want to hire someone else to do it, so she started looking around.
When she stopped into Village Shores, she was struck by the well-maintained grounds, as well as how pleasant and hardworking the staff was. She says that staff member Pam “took me up to see a little room,” and that sealed the deal. Susan is now a three year resident of “a beautiful apartment on 9th floor.” The unit has a balcony with a view of downtown Minneapolis. “It is a beautiful setting,” she says. “There is a lovely little pond that I’ve walked around many times.” Village Shores has created roundabouts and safe walking areas throughout their grounds, making everything convenient and accessible for their senior population.
Susan also loves the location of Richfield. “There is a nice grocery store within shooting distance, and a nice bit of shopping nearby,” she says. Village Shores has a van that will take residents shopping, to appointments, and to take part in activities around the city, as well as bringing residents to participate in tours of historic sites in the region. It is also possible to take longer trips: a group went to Iowa this winter. Susan says that Brad, the activities director, and the van driver, are both “super” and that when a resident lets them know of upcoming appointment or event, “they will accommodate it.” While Susan still drives, she appreciates having this service as an option.
The many amenities at Village Shores means that Susan and the other residents can stay onsite for entertainment and meals. Susan’s residency includes two dinners per week, and she says, “The food is kind of nice. I didn’t realize that the food would be an important part of it.” The dinner portions are generous enough that she and her dining companions are able to take some food home. She also meets with people regularly at the Bistro, which she describes as a “sweet little cafe downstairs.”
Susan says that there are many places and ways to meet people: there are different groups that meet to play cards, and there is a community room available for resident and family gatherings. She says that one of her friends in the community had a baby shower for her granddaughter there. In the evenings, there are various onsite entertainment options. “There are singers and dancers and all kinds of things for each time of year,” Susan says.
She also stays busy and involved around the neighborhood, driving for Meals on Wheels and bringing along a friend who doesn’t like to drive. Additionally, she volunteers every Tuesday at nearby Hope Presbyterian Church. She taught for 27 years in the Minneapolis Public Schools, primarily in special education, working with physically impaired students who needed extra physical help. Now, each week, she has lunch with a group of former coworkers who all worked together at Dowling School. She also has a season ticket to see the theatre performances put on by Artistry in the Bloomington Center for the Arts. While she no longer drives at night, she has a group of friends that picks her up.
Last year, Susan volunteered on the garden committee of Village Shores, which manages the garden in the memory care area. She says that the members meet to decide what they’d like to plant, and that the results were “just gorgeous.” Susan was in charge of watering the small potted plants that were placed throughout the area, and that the committee even incorporated an herb garden, where residents could pick their own herbs. She says that the experience was delightful. “It’s been fun to get to know people by being on little committees here and there.”
Susan and her husband were avid travelers throughout their lives together, and she estimates that she has visited Europe 40 times. The first trip was after her junior year of college: she took a bicycle tour through England, France, Switzerland, and Italy. She doesn’t travel such long distances anymore, but she says she’s happy to have the memories. She currently takes winter trips to Deer Valley, Arizona, near where her son lives. While she enjoys the sunshine, warmth, and proximity to family, she says she always enjoys coming home to her friends, activities, and community.
“There’s a lot of social life at Village Shores,” she says. “That’s the part I like best.”