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Making friends and feeling connected to others is important at every age. As we get older, these relationships can get even more valuable and provide meaning, joy, and support during retirement years. Moving to a senior living community is one way many older adults can actually expand their social circles and make lifelong bonds.

Supportive Community Environment

Senior living facilities purposefully create an environment that encourages residents to interact and get to know each other. There are many comfortable common areas throughout the buildings where residents can gather to socialize, play games, do activities, attend events, exercise, or just relax. Staff may also plan outings, parties, classes, clubs, volunteer projects, and presentations that bring people together around shared interests. Unlike living alone at home, senior communities make it easy and fun to spend time with peers on a regular basis.

Meet Fellow Residents

One of the biggest perks of senior living is all the built-in chances to meet new people who are in a similar life stage. Residents can make connections over shared meals, activities, outings, classes, exercise, games, events, and more. There are opportunities to socialize morning, noon, and night within the community. It’s possible to interact with dozens or even hundreds of fellow residents depending on the size of the facility. Whether chatting in the hallway, playing cards in the lounge, gardening outside, or attending a concert, there are endless ways for seniors to get to know each other in a meaningful way.

Lasting Bonds Form

At first, fellow senior living residents may start as acquaintances. But over time, it’s common for deeper connections to form between residents who regularly see each other around the community. They may discover shared interests, life experiences, family backgrounds, career paths, hobbies, values, and personalities that draw them to become good friends. Many seniors living in the same building for years end up forming very close, caring relationships that feel like family. They look out for each other, share in ups and downs together, and provide emotional and social support. For seniors who may be isolated or lonely at home, these lasting bonds with other residents can be invaluable.

Sense of Community

In addition to one-on-one friendships between residents, senior facilities also nurture an overall sense of community. Because everyone eats, socializes, attends activities, volunteers, and receives care services in the same place, relationships often form between larger groups as well. People develop a shared identity and purpose centered around their senior living community. There can be community-wide events, fundraisers, celebrations, meals, projects and more that bring everyone together under this common identity. This sense of belonging to a tight-knit community can give seniors meaningful connections, engagement, and purpose.

Meet Fellow Residents’ Loved Ones

Another way senior living communities facilitate relationships is by integrating residents’ family and friends from outside. Most facilities welcome and encourage loved ones to visit often, attend special events, share meals, help with activities or outings, and sometimes even volunteer onsite. This gives residents more opportunities to meet each other’s children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, friends, past colleagues, neighbors, and other visitors. Relationships often form between residents and fellow residents’ loved ones who they see around regularly. They may feel like extended family or close friends over time.

Staff Provide Social Support

The caring staff members at senior communities also play a key role in reducing isolation and facilitating social connections between residents. There are usually programs, activities, and common spaces specifically designed for social interaction that the staff oversee. Some examples are:

• Group Exercise Classes
• Game Nights
• Crafting Circles
• Book Clubs
• Community Service Projects
• Live Music Events
• Holiday Parties & Celebrations
• Day Trips to Local Attractions

In addition to organizing social programming, the staff also gets to know each resident personally and can suggest ways for them to connect with certain peers based on shared demographics, personalities, interests, backgrounds etc. The staff essentially helps facilitate existing friendships and nurture new ones.

Make Friends Outside the Community

While senior living facilities provide built-in chances to meet people and foster connections internally, they also make it easier for residents to connect externally too. For example, many communities organize outings or provide transportation so groups of residents can get out and take part in activities together in the local community. This could include things like:

• Local theater and music performances
• Museum visits
• Farmer’s markets
• State/county fairs
• Sporting events
• Parks
• Shopping centers
• Seasonal festivals

Residents get to enjoy these external social experiences together and can end up making local friends beyond the senior facility too by interacting with people out in the community during excursions. Some residents also volunteer together at local nonprofits, churches, schools, hospitals, shelters etc. which allows them to support good causes and expand social circles.

Transition Support Groups

Moving to a senior living community itself can sometimes be a challenging transition, especially for those leaving a home they lived in for decades. That’s why many senior living facilities offer support groups specifically to help new residents adjust to the community. In these sessions, new residents can express concerns, ask questions, receive advice from peers, and form bonds with fellow residents who are navigating the same experience. It provides built-in emotional support and a chance to give and receive guidance during a major life change. The relationships formed during these groups often last well beyond the initial transition period too.

Reduce Loneliness & Isolation

Making caring connections and friendships in senior living communities enriches quality of life and also has mental/physical health benefits. Isolation and loneliness are unfortunately common issues among seniors that can negatively impact wellbeing. In fact, studies show lacking social connections heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Senior living facilities are uniquely equipped to reduce isolation and loneliness by making regular social interaction accessible, easy and fulfilling. Whether it’s a brief friendly chat or deeper life-long bonds, seniors can get their social needs met on a consistent basis.

Westminster Manor

Westminster Manor in Bradenton, Florida is a senior living community that excels at fostering meaningful relationships between residents and integrating them into the local community. They facilitate social connections through comfortable common areas, group meals, activities, exercise classes, clubs, events, games, educational seminars, volunteer projects and regular outings. Their dedicated staff gets to know each resident personally and suggests ways for them to connect with peers. Westminster Manor’s tight-knit, supportive environment helps residents form lasting bonds that provide enrichment, purpose and important mental/physical health benefits during their retirement years.

Throughout April, we celebrated National Occupational Therapy Month — but here at Westminster Manor’s Bradenton, FL independent living community, we’re passionate about this field all year long! We’ve seen firsthand the myriad ways occupational therapy can transform lives, and are proud to offer these services as part of our person-centered care programs.

Just read on to learn more about the power of occupational therapy, and how it can be part of you or your loved one’s enriching experience here at Westminster Manor.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

There are many different types of rehabilitation and therapy you might take part in at Westminster Manor, depending on your needs — from speech therapy to physical therapy and more. So, what exactly is occupational therapy best for?

Occupational therapy is all about helping people’s ability to complete everyday independent tasks — think activities such as eating, grooming, small household chores, and other things that help us function at home. You might have heard this term used by a doctor as part of continuing care due to an injury or ongoing medical condition.

Occupational therapy can also involve using new, specialized devices that help with those tasks. This type of therapy can look different for everyone based on their unique needs, treatment timeline, and other factors. But no matter what your specific situation looks like, you can count on occupational therapy to help you progress toward as independent a lifestyle as possible. That’s something to feel good about!

Why Westminster Manor Is The Ideal Destination For Occupational Therapy Needs

Now that we’ve talked a bit about occupational therapy, you may be wondering what makes Westminster Manor the perfect place to start your program. One of the great things about calling Westminster Manor “home” is that occupational therapy doesn’t have to be a service you attend every week — it can be a seamless part of your everyday life, offered right in the same community you live, laugh, and play in. After all, there’s nothing quite like the peace of mind that comes with having your care team located so close to home. (Then again, if you prefer outpatient services, we provide those as well! Our main focus is helping you take meaningful steps toward the life you want to live — whether you’re a resident at Westminster Manor, or live in the surrounding area).

At Westminster Manor (and our Westminster communities located across the Sunshine State), we proudly operate My W Life wellness program — which is designed to promote overall mind-and-body health. This includes key pillars such as physical, social, and emotional health — and of course, occupational therapy can be a major part of this!

For example, when you use occupational therapy to help you complete day-to-day tasks like getting dressed or putting away laundry, you’re helping achieve a peaceful, independent household. When you keep a clean kitchen or put together a beautiful meal for friends, you’re promoting social connections that make you (and your loved ones!) feel truly fulfilled. As you can see, there’s no shortage of ways that the right occupational therapy can enhance your life beyond the purely physical.

Plus, your occupational therapy program can be done in tandem with other care services you may need (or may already be receiving). That’s another welcome perk of Westminster Manor — our person-first philosophy helps us find services that fit your vibrant, one-of-a-kind life. Not the other way around!

We hope that today’s guide has helped you learn more about occupational therapy, and its role here at Westminster Manor! Please get in touch today to see how our services can support you or your loved one — we’re here to help.

There’s nothing quite like taking a spring walk, enjoying the balmy breeze off the Gulf of Mexico, when it catches your eye: a vibrant butterfly, flapping its delicate wings as it dances from petal to petal.

We’ve all had the pleasure of happening upon a beautiful butterfly in motion. But this doesn’t have to be just a passing, blink-and-you-miss-it delight — it can be a meaningful addition to your rotation of outdoor activities here at Westminster Manor, the top destination for independent and assisted living in Bradenton, Florida.

Our grounds are actually home to a beautiful butterfly garden, so you never have to travel far from home to immerse yourself in nature — whether you’re enjoying a walk with friends, or crave a moment of peaceful reflection. And of course, you can also spot butterflies throughout all your outdoor adventures in and around Bradenton.

Just read on as we share a few of the biggest benefits of butterfly watching from your Westminster Manor home!

Increased Mindfulness

One of the biggest benefits of butterfly watching is the mindfulness that goes along with it. In our fast-paced world, taking the time to observe these creatures gently flit from flower to flower offers a rare moment of tranquility — a chance to meditate, if only for a moment, on the natural beauty right in front of you.

Nature’s Classroom

Watching butterflies is also an educational adventure, delivering lessons in biology, ecology, and conservation. Each encounter with a butterfly is an opportunity to learn about its life cycle, habitat, and the role it plays in the ecosystem. This knowledge not only deepens our appreciation for these creatures but also highlights the importance of protecting their natural environments. Engaging with nature in this way can spark a lifelong passion for conservation and environmental stewardship.

Physical Health…

The pursuit of butterflies often leads enthusiasts into the great outdoors, encouraging physical activity. Whether it’s a gentle stroll or lively hike, the physical benefits of being active in nature abound. Regular physical activity, especially in green spaces, has been linked to improved cardiovascular health, weight management, and increased energy levels. Plus, the vitamin D from sunlight exposure is a bonus for your immune system.

The air in green spaces is often fresher and cleaner, too, thanks to the abundance of plants and trees which act as natural air purifiers. The simple act of taking deep breaths of fresh air can also reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calm.

… & Mental Health, Too

Speaking of which, research has consistently shown that spending time in green spaces can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression. Natural settings have a calming effect on the mind, helping to lower blood pressure and cortisol: a hormone associated with stress.

Time spent in these environments has also been linked to improved attention, memory, and creativity — giving you a restorative backdrop that allows your mind to relax, refresh, and recharge. This mental reset not only boosts mood, but can also spark creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Flutter With Friends

Green spaces also have a handy way of bringing us together. The more time you spend outdoors admiring local wildlife — even the tiny, six-legged kind — the closer you are to the rest of your community, giving you the chance to get to know your neighbors or befriend likeminded butterfly watchers.

Wondering how to get started? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Research Local Species: Learn about the butterfly species native to this slice of the Sunshine State, so you know where (and when) to look for them on your outings.
• Gear Up: Though not 100% necessary for butterfly watching fun, good pair of binoculars, a field guide to butterflies, and a camera can take your experience to the next level.
• Log Your Adventure: Feeling creative? Keep a journal of your butterfly sightings — noting the species, location, and behavior observed.

In no time, you’ll be able to identify all the beautiful butterflies you come across in and around Westminster Manor — and have fun doing it!

There’s a lot to love about March: the official arrival of spring, the beginning of later sunsets thanks to Daylight Saving Time, and — for our foodie friends — National Nutrition Month! This yearly holiday is the perfect time to celebrate wholesome, feel-good foods and the role they play in powering our lives.

Here in Florida, especially, we’re fortunate enough to have access to fresh produce all year long. Of course, embracing nutritious eating isn’t just about health. It’s a journey of fun, taste, and discovery too!

At Westminster Manor’s assisted living in Bradenton, FL, nutrition is a crucial pillar of our multi-dimensional “My W Life” wellness program. Whether you’re having breakfast, lunch, or dinner at our restaurant-style dining, or learning from the experts at our Health Resource Center, it’s easy to find ways to take your nutrition to the next level when you call Westminster Manor “home.”

Good nutrition is a must at any age. But as we grow, it takes on an even bigger role — serving as a cornerstone of vitality, strength, and mental acuity so we can be our best selves.

As always, you’ll want to consult with your medical team for nutrition guidelines that are specific to you. But in honor of National Nutrition Month, here are a few handy rules of thumb that might be able to help you get started on a nutritious (and delicious) journey this spring.

For starters, here are some of the ways nutrition keeps you operating at your best:

Immune Function: A diet rich in fruits, veggies, and lean protein can boost the immune system.

Mental Wellbeing: Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and walnuts, can support brain health.

Digestive Health: High-fiber foods, such as whole grains and leafy greens, help your digestive system run its best.

Strong Bones: Calcium and vitamin D are essential for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis.

Wondering how to live more nutritiously? There are lots of easy places to start, including:

Checking Out A Farmers Market

One of the most enjoyable ways to incorporate nutrition into your life is by visiting local farmers markets. These markets are treasure troves of fresh, seasonal produce that pack a punch in terms of flavor and nutrients.

Each visit, buy a piece of produce you’ve never tried before. This can be a fun way to discover new favorites and add variety to your diet, without it really feeling like “work.” Depending on the event, you may even be able to chat with a local farmer and learn from the firsthand knowledge about the produce they’re selling!

Cooking With Loved Ones

Cooking doesn’t have to be a solo task. Make it a social event by involving friends, family, or neighbors. Hosting potlucks, for example, can be a great way to share recipes, learn new cooking techniques, and enjoy nutritious meals together. Or, leave the work to us and keep a standing dinner appointment with your Westminster Manor neighbors! Either way, we bet you’ll find that nutritious eating is even more fun with a friend by your side.

Tech Time

A beloved cookbook or handwritten recipe card from a loved one is always going to be a special treasure worth using in your kitchen. But there are also handy online options that you can use to supplement your nutrition journey — from grocery apps to engaging cooking tutorials (perfect for those who prefer to see a meal come to life, rather than read about it line by line).

Following Food Fads

Food trends are always coming and going — so while you probably have your tried-and-true classics, it’s rewarding to find new “superfoods,” too! This spring, have some fun experimenting with different herbs and seasonings to expand your palate in a meaningful way.

Presentation Points

They say you eat with your eyes and your stomach — and, well, we couldn’t agree more. The visual aspect of food can take your dining experience to the next level, making you more likely to turn for nutritious goodies in the future. Plus, “eating the rainbow” is a great way to get nutrients that are associated with different food hues.

Staying Hydrated

H2O plays a powerful role in a healthy, well-fueled body! If you want to mix things up, try infusing water with fresh-cut fruit for a sweet, refreshing touch.

We hope that these ideas help you celebrate National Nutrition Month — and bring these delicious takeaways with you throughout the year, too!

Here at Westminster Manor, we know our residents have adventurous palates. Many of us have traveled the world and experienced exotic cuisines firsthand. Now, as active seniors living in beautiful Bradenton, Florida, we continue seeking multicultural food experiences right here in our backyard.

Sarasota and the surrounding Gulf Coast region host vibrant international communities, flavors, and traditions. With balmy weather ideal for being out and about year-round, every day presents new culinary adventures. As a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) emphasizing dynamic senior living, we encourage our residents to explore local ethnic cuisine through food festivals, cooking clubs, restaurants outings, and more.

Join us on a moveable feast as we spice up life in Sarasota assisted living with international food!

1. Identifying Popular Cuisine in Florida

Having attracted immigrants from the Caribbean, South America and beyond, Florida serves up intoxicating multinational cuisine. Assisted living residents can try mouthwatering specialties without even leaving the Sunshine State.

Cuban food leads the palate parade with tangy, garlicky, slow-roasted meats like lechón asado (roast pork) and ropa vieja (shredded flank steak). Add black beans, rice, fried plantains and a mojito to complete an authentic Nuevo Cubano meal. Cuban Bread, a local favorite, provides the perfect vehicle for Cuba’s iconic sandwiches.

The nearby fishing waters yield an abundance of fresh seafood tailor-made for ceviche, a zesty Latin American specialty mixing raw fish or shellfish with citrus and chilies. Some Sarasota restaurants put a Floribbean spin on ceviche by incorporating mango, pineapple or coconut milk.

Attending Food Festivals Year-Round

Florida’s endless food festivals let assisted living residents sample a wide spectrum of cultural cuisine in one place. These lively events bring international chefs, restaurants, markets and musicians together to showcase national foods and associated arts.

At the ever-popular Greek Glendi festival, zigzag through the food booths collecting heaping plates of gyro meat, spanakopita, dolmas, Greek salad and baklava. Then work off the calories dancing to live music!

For more exotic choices like curried goat, oxtail stew or Jamaican jerk chicken, visit the annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival. Inhale the aromas of spices and sizzle of barbeque grills while reggae bands play.

If you’re seeking something unique, the annual Sarasota Medieval Fair whisks you back to olde England with giant turkey legs, meat pies, fish ‘n chips, and mead. Costumed musicians, jesters and knights entertain faire-goers.

Most food festivals run during peak visitor season between January and April, but some operate year-round. So assisted living gourmands need never endure a dull palate!

Meeting Friends to Swap Recipes

Fellow foodies make the best friends. At Westminster Manor, new friendships often form around shared cooking interests and recipes from native cultures. You might even find potlucks, bake sales, recipe exchanges and informal cookouts ideal for swapping kitchen stories.

For home cooks seeking new culinary challenges, nothing beats learning recipes firsthand from native-born assisting living friends. Those longing for a taste of Italy can get tips on perfecting marinara sauce, handmade pastas and other staples from our Italian American residents.

Likewise our Cuban friends gladly share treasured family recipes for picadillo, ropa vieja, maduros and more. Cooking these dishes together strengthens bonds while expanding your international repertoire.

You might even consider bringing a friend to enjoy local cooking demonstrations and classes. Chefs from Sarasota’s eclectic restaurant scene may visit the area to showcase cooking techniques and signature dishes from their homeland. Seeing authentic preparation methods — especially for unfamiliar ingredients — helps de-mystify ethnic cuisine.

As active seniors in assisted living, we relish all avenues leading to more flavorful food and meaningful connections.

Trying Local Restaurants and Group Outings

For carefree culinary adventures, nothing beats dining out in good company. Sarasota County has over 800 eateries ranging from everyday cafés to upscale establishments specializing in global gastronomy. Many restaurants lie within easy reach of Westminster Manor.

Assisted living group excursions to nearby ethnic restaurants let us experience the joy of breaking bread together. Sharing a meal often leads to sharing stories and laughter, strengthening connections new and old.

Westminster residents frequently enjoy outings to St. Armands Circle, a jewel of Sarasota dining. At this Mediterranean-style shopping district, walking along the palm-dotted promenades under swaying lanterns makes for great exercise and people watching, too!

For more adventure, don’t miss taking trips to historical Ybor City, Tampa’s Latin Quarter. Founded by Cuban and Spanish immigrants in the 1880s, Ybor City feels like walking into Old Havana.  Between the authentic cuisine, hand-rolled cigars and eclectic architecture, residents find endless fascination.

As Florida’s reputation as a retirement mecca grows yearly, Westminster Manor attracts active seniors from across the U.S. and abroad. This makes for exciting culinary diversity right onsite. New residents often introduce hometown recipes and Initiate ethnic potlucks, expanding all our palates.

Every day, Sarasota’s multicultural assisted living community spices life with zest, joy and meaning. ¡Buen provecho!

At Westminster Manor, exploring Florida’s rich international cuisine never gets dull. From lively local festivals to cooking with foodie friends, our campus stays abuzz with tempting aromas and flavors from around the globe. Culinary day trips as a group let us break bread together while supporting Sarasota’s diverse restaurant scene.

As a continuing care retirement community, Westminster Manor emphasizes whole-person wellness through life’s transitions. Our worship services, fitness classes, social hours and community service activities further connect residents from all backgrounds.

Want to spice up senior living? Contact Westminster Manor in Bradenton to learn more or schedule a tour. Our welcoming staff looks forward to sharing vibrant flavors and fellowship with you!

When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens Florida, like Hurricane Idalia this week, team members at Westminster Communities of Florida have a top priority: Ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents we serve. Our Mission is to serve from the heart and inspire older adults to enjoy happy, healthy and purposeful lives.

What impact has Hurricane Idalia had? Some of our dedicated team members are living out our Mission, today, by evacuating with residents or sheltering at their communities through the storm. Regardless of their normal jobs, their principal responsibility right now is to provide for the residents’ needs.

Today we caught up with five of these team members to learn about their experiences, why they chose to stay at their community or evacuate with residents, and what is inspiring them to stay hard at work during a storm.

Jackie Walker Ellison, Cook, Westminster Shores, temporarily at Westminster Winter Park

In St. Petersburg, Westminster Shores was forced to relocate residents out of the path of the storm. Jackie Walker Ellison always knew she would be with the residents, from the moment she first heard. “The residents said to me, ‘Jackie, are you coming with us? I know we’ll be OK if you come with us.’ So I had no doubt,” Ellison said. “I knew for sure I would be evacuating, I called my husband and my mother and I told them, ‘I’m going with my residents, I’ll see you whenever.’ ”

The group of 24 residents was accompanied by Ellison to Westminster Winter Park, where they’re enjoying the hospitality of the residents and team members there. The Westminster Shores team is occupied with providing for the needs of the residents during Hurricane Idalia. “I think it brings everyone together as a team,” she said.

Ellison has worked at Westminster Shores for 29 years, and “I love my residents. I wouldn’t have been here so long if I didn’t love this place and my residents. God put us here for a reason,” she said. “Right now, the residents are happy, we’ve been watching movies and playing games, and everything is going smoothly.”

Michele McCann, Assisted Living Activities Coordinator, Westminster Palms, sheltering in place

“I choose to be with the residents during the most emotional time, like a hurricane, because that’s my quality as a caregiver,” said Michele McCann, Assisted Living Activities Coordinator at Westminster Palms. “Challenging times like this bring out the best in people, and I get to see it and share it.”

McCann was sheltering in place at the community in St. Petersburg, along with residents from Westminster Palms and residents from Westminster Point Pleasant in Bradenton. She has lived in Florida for more than 7 years, and has experienced three hurricanes in St. Petersburg so far. McCann said she feels that the way the team bonds, whether through an evacuation or sheltering in place, makes the team stronger. “We are going to come out better on the other side of this! We always do. We are so lucky that we are here, in our home, together, instead of relocating like so many had to. I have come to feel like this is my home, too.”

Carlos Santiago, Maintenance Engineer, Westminster Point Pleasant and Tiffany Mestre, Administrative Assistant, Community Support Services, temporarily at Legacy Pointe at UCF

A group of residents from Westminster Point Pleasant were also with Maintenance Engineer Carlos Santiago and Tiffany Mestre, an administrative assistant at our Community Support Services office in Orlando. The residents had evacuated from Bradenton due to the risk of storm surge and flooding, and were enjoying the hospitality of Legacy Pointe at UCF.

Santiago, the maintenance engineer, said that he had been through the worst in 2017 when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. “We were there with no power for 60 days, and we weren’t able to do anything,” he said. By comparison, he felt that everything was under control and being well maintained for the residents through both of his hurricane experiences as a Westminster team member.

“This job is personal for me,” Santiago said. “The residents are my family and I want to make sure that they are well taken care of.” In 2022, Santiago was recognized as Westminster Point Pleasant’s Team Member of the Year for his dedicated service to the residents. He said it was his honor to serve the residents.

Evacuating with the residents is just another extension of his commitment to the community, Santiago said. “This is my second time evacuating with the residents, and it doesn’t matter how many more. I will always volunteer to be there for them. We are here for each other and for the residents.”

Countless storms had also affected Mestre, a Florida native. But she had never had an experience like today’s. “It’s wonderful to help the residents and hear about their interests and stories. This is a great way to see how the residents live,” Mestre said. “I am getting to know what a day in the life of a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and an ADON (Assistant Director of Nursing) are like. It has opened my eyes. Bless their souls for doing all of this.”

The effects of the storm had been mild in Orlando, but Mestre said that nevertheless, she and the residents felt more secure and had been brought closer together by the experience – and the residents were thankful for the security. “This has really brought our Mission to life for me in a way I had not experienced it,” said Mestre.

For Santiago, part of living in a hurricane zone meant more practice – and that he had found that the team is getting stronger through the experience. “The more we do this together, the more we become comfortable with each other, and the better organized we become. When you send a group of people together for one purpose and for our Mission, we get the opportunity to grow together and learn from each other,” said Santiago.

Beth Szabo, Services Coordinator, Riverside Presbyterian Apartments, sheltering in place

Another part of the Westminster Mission is to serve residents with low to moderate incomes, in our affordable Rental Retirement Communities. Beth Szabo, services coordinator at Riverside Presbyterian Apartments, was sheltering in place at the community to ensure that the residents were well cared for throughout the potential effects of the storm in Jacksonville.

“I’ve lived in Jacksonville since 1976, so I have lost count of how many hurricanes I’ve been through now. In 2004 they were coming so frequently we all said, ‘I’m over it, just let it go,’ ” said Szabo. “We have had to evacuate a few times over the years, like for Hurricane Matthew in 2016. But we did not have to this time.”

For Szabo, serving during a hurricane is a natural extension of her choice to work at the community, because the residents are like her extended family. “I have a heart for seniors, and the residents here mean a lot to me,” she said. “If something happens then I want to be here to help them.”

Szabo added that she feels safer riding out a storm at Riverside Presbyterian Apartments than at home. “Here at the community, I know that we have a great team looking out for everyone. We’re very small but we support each other.”

A facet of our Mission

While a hurricane is unexpected, serving the residents and supporting their fellow team members wherever we are and however we can is just another facet of the Mission of Westminster Communities of Florida: We serve from the heart and inspire older adults to enjoy happy, healthy and purposeful lives.

Be sure to learn all about how you can make a Westminster community your home to live or to work – find a community near you or follow us on Facebook and on LinkedIn!