The best of all worlds – our luxury retirement community podcast

What makes The Arboretum Villas at Plymouth Place the ultimate senior living experience? Pat Allen, a former flight attendant and attorney, shares her story of how she waited more than 10 years for something new and exciting to be built on the East campus of Plymouth Place in La Grange Park, IL. The moment we introduced The Arboretum Villas, our innovative new community for active adults 62+, Pat and her husband, Henry, decided to make this their next home. “It’s the best of all worlds,” Pat said.

Discover all the reasons Pat and Henry chose The Arboretum Villas – from our arboretum setting to health security, an unbeatable location and the excitement and support of her family and grandchildren. “I think they’re thrilled,” said Pat. “They can’t wait to come over.”

Visit our Design Center to learn what the excitement is all about at 26 S. La Grange Road in La Grange or call (708) 482-6634.

Attend one of our events by visiting TheVillasEvents.org

FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF OUR PODCAST
Nitsa Foundos:
Hello, welcome to Living Without Limits, our fun and informative podcast about the Arboretum Villas at Plymouth Place, right here in La Grange Park, Illinois. I am your host, Nitsa Foundos and joining me today, is Pat Allen, one of our initial depositors. Welcome, Pat.

Pat:
Thanks Nitsa, it’s a pleasure to be here.

Nitsa Foundos:
I’m so excited that you agreed to do this with me. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your husband?

Pat:
Okay. Well, he’s more interesting so I’ll start with me, and save the best for last. We’ve lived in La Grange for 25 years, we have three kids, all grown. The closest one is in Downers Grove. We have six grandchildren. We spend a lot of time with them. I’m a former flight attendant and a former attorney, and I was born and raised in Seattle.

Nitsa Foundos:
Wow, that’s impressive. So, tell us a little bit about Henry.

Pat:
Henry is an attorney, we met… We were opposing counsel on a case.

Nitsa Foundos:
Oh, I bet that was fun.

Pat:
It was and both sides came to our wedding, so it was successful. As our marriage has been as well. He is still working full-time, he is an antitrust healthcare attorney, and he works at the crossroads of health and economics and physician relationships and that sort of thing.

Nitsa Foundos:
That’s a big job.

Pat:
It’s a huge job.
Nitsa Foundos:
I was able to meet Henry, and he’s so gracious and you’re a wonderful couple.

Pat:
Oh, thank you.

Nitsa Foundos:
And we really did hit it off, didn’t we? I felt like I’ve known you for years.

Pat:
Yes, that’s exactly right. I feel the same.

Nitsa Foundos:
So what was it that interests you in Henry about the Arboretum Villas?

Pat:
A couple of things, actually many things. One is that it’s detached, even though there are several in each building, it’s detached. You don’t go into a large building and go up in an elevator and down a hall, like in a hotel, which I did not want. That’s probably the first thing.

The setting. And especially since I learned about the Arboretum part of it is just wonderful. It’s the best of all worlds. It’s the Arboretum part, but it’s walking distance to downtown LA Grange, which is just a wonderful community.

Downtown La Grange has everything. The newly renovated theater, Classic Cinema is going to be wonderful. The restaurants in La Grange are great. It’s obviously a destination village for the whole Western suburbs.

You’re close to the train. You can get on a train and go downtown Chicago and go to any events you want down there.

Nitsa Foundos:
That is so nice. Isn’t it?

Pat:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Nitsa Foundos:
So what made you take the step to become an initial depositor and founder?

Pat:
I had been talking about moving in here soon as they had new cottages or whatever the facilities were going to be for 10 or 12 years. I really was waiting for it. And I was thrilled when I saw it.

Nitsa Foundos:
Well, you came to the design center, downtown La Grange. What was your first impression when you walked in through those glass doors?

Pat:
Oh, I thought the area was sparkling. It was clean and new, which is, we have an old house which is clean, but it’s old, and bright. Great countertops, cupboards, everything. I love the flooring choices.

Nitsa Foundos:
Yay.

Pat:
That’s true. I do.

Nitsa Foundos:
You and Henry, I’m sure, you’re the epitome of being independent with Henry still working. And were you at all impressed about the type of lifestyle components that we’re having at the Arboretum? Can you tell me a little bit about what are you most excited about?

Pat:
I think the biggest thing is the health security issue, knowing that it will be provided and that we don’t have to go out and search for it and shop for it. And I know what’s here. I like it.

Nitsa Foundos:
So yeah, let me explain how that works. We have several medical experts within the organization that are readily available. Nurse practitioners are by far the most accessible, and where they will make house visits.

They’ll write you a script. They’ll call it in to Walgreens for you and then they’ll deliver it. And you never left your sofa in your pajamas. I mean, the accessibility to all of these different services is what’s extremely important, I think, in considering a move like this.

Pat:
It is. And that is sort of in the lines of preventative. I think you tend to catch things earlier if there’s a possibility of a problem and you can avoid that. So I like that.

I think also in terms of health security, I feel comfortable knowing that should one of us need assisted living or memory care or skilled nursing, we wouldn’t have to go out and vet different places. It will have been done for us. It’s here.

Nitsa Foundos:
Well, it is very much a peace of mind contract that you are getting into. And the fact that you’re coming to a five-star rated community for care is why we’ve been so successful today.

Pat:
As to the day-to-day, things that are very attractive to me are include the villa itself. I like the size. We have a two bedroom that we’ve reserved. I like being on the ground floor. Now, not everybody’s on the ground floor. Not everybody wants to be. But to me, that’s more like a home.

I like the activities that you have that somebody can join or not join. I just feel like there’s a lot of selection. Let’s see. I love the library here. I’m a big reader. The swimming, Henry swims laps, loves to swim. The workout room, the exercise options, the Pickleball, which I hope to get back into.

Nitsa Foundos:
The walking paths.

Pat:
They’re wonderful.

Nitsa Foundos:
The massages and getting a mani-pedi. It’s all about the finer things in life.

Pat:
And we so deserve them.

Nitsa Foundos:
You said something profound there, we deserve it. And that’s what this is all about, is that you cannot put a price tag on happiness, and living your best life. And the only person that can define that is you.

We can lay everything out in front of you, but it’s what you make of it. And so having the ability to decide one morning, if you’d like to get a massage or maybe go sweat it out and play Pickleball or barbecue with the barbecue grills or sit on the sun deck, it makes no difference.

But it’s about having the opportunity to do all of that and so much more. And never feeling like you’re going to be alone.

So, you’re a relatively new depositor, I would say. And we have hosted a couple of other founder events. The premise behind that as you know, is to have you meet your potential neighbor.

Can you tell me what your first impression was when you walked in?

Pat:
Besides the crazy hats?

Nitsa Foundos:
Yes.

Pat:
My first impression actually occurred before we walked in. The fact that you were doing a Derby Day party, I thought was perfect. That’s just the right touch. We love the horse races. We’re not betters, but it’s just a sport we love to watch. And a Derby Day party just sounded so much fun. And it was.
Nitsa Foundos:
We did have some crazy hats and we had a photo booth there. And then we also had some wonderful prizes. And how about that blow up horse?

Pat:
Yeah. That was hysterical. And we actually met the people who have reserved the unit above us, delightful people, the people, and another couple who was across the

Nitsa Foundos:
I think it’s important to say that it’s building those relationships now, because you’re all going to go through the same process together. But one thing I’ll tell you, we will walk the steps with you. You’ll know every step of the way, what to anticipate. And that’s what I love about what I do.

So what do you think about the move date? The move in date of fall of 2023? Is it about the right time?

Pat:
It’s wonderful. It’s perfect for us. I mean, that’s enough time to get things done at home and downsize, I hope, if I started.

Nitsa Foundos:
Okay. So what do your kids think about this?

Pat:
Well, Henry told our oldest son, “We could move into the Villas or I could move in with you.” You want to know what he said, “Go for the villas.”

Nitsa Foundos:
Aw. You’re going to be very close to them. You can still maintain your lifestyle habits and enjoy them coming and taking advantage of all of the functions and recreation that we have on site.

Pat:
I think they’re thrilled that we are looking toward the future and not going to burden them with care or decision-making or any of the other things that can happen as one ages. And their kids are thrilled.

Our youngest grandson said, “Could I come over there and swim? They can’t wait to come over here.

Nitsa Foundos:
Well, that’s wonderful. So, well I can’t thank you enough, Pat, for joining me on this podcast.

Pat:
No, it was my pleasure.

Nitsa Foundos:
You’ve been a joy to have, and I can’t wait for the next founder event so we can celebrate-

Pat:
That’s right.

Nitsa Foundos:
… and have some more fun. But anyway, I’d like to thank all of you that took the time to listen to this Podcast, Living Without Limits. And we certainly can’t wait to talk again about another interesting topic. If you would like more information about the Arboretum Villas, you’re welcome to call our design center office. The number is 708-482-6634. Schedule an appointment, or just simply walk on down and come on in.

We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 to 5:30 PM. Thank you everybody, bye.