8 The Senior Reporter | January Regional Senior Housing Directory 2018
neuropathy, so it was hard for me
to drive also. We gave one to a
grandchild and sold one to the
family for the family discount. So
here we are moved in and ready to
go.”
John died earlier this year. Charlotte
says, “At 99 years, I rejoiced when
he died because he had a wonderful
life. We have a great family, and
he’s out of the pain he felt.” They
stayed in their room together
through his entire life.
Charlotte lives in the same assisted
living apartment. She is on a plan
that includes two meals a day. “It
works out wonderful. We’ve had
wonderful people at our table.
There have been changes. Now
I sit with two other women and a
gentleman, and we’re educating
him. I don’t think he’s ever sat with
all women ever in his life,” she
laughs describing the situation.
Charlotte talks about her life now
at Lakeshore. “We have wonderful
programs here. We had a Veterans
Day program. Last week I went to
a lecture on how climate change is
affecting the wild rice crop—things
like that I’d never go to otherwise.
The big band comes here about
four times a year. You should see
Christmas here. There are more
Christmas trees and wreaths here
than anywhere in the world. There’s
a movie every Monday afternoon.
We have community singing on
Tuesday. We have church services
twice a week. There’s nothing
I miss here except Walgreens.
My granddaughter takes me to
Walgreens and the grocery store.”
She adds, “This is the first time
in my life I’ve ever been alone.
It’s different. I like it. I do things
whenever I darn please. I don’t
have to hurry for anyone. To be 95,
sometimes I wonder…How did I
get here?”
The butterfly garden area outside of Westwood is
a perfect place to visit over coffee.
Physical therapy and fitness
center at the Benedictine Living
Community in Duluth.
MOVING
Stories