“This is now home.” George Bosman, Park Place resident
George Bosman toured the apartments at Park Place of Elmhurst, which was only five blocks away from his home. A former math teacher and coach at Timothy Christian School for 42 years, George could not believe the view from his potential living room window—all of the Timothy Christian athletic fields. “That was the deciding factor,” says George. “We are a major sports family. To join the family, you have to sign a contract that you love sports,” he jokes. He can now watch all the games from the comfort of his living room sofa if he chooses, but as a huge sports fan, he still prefers to take a short walk across the street to watch from the bleachers.
George’s wife, Carolyn, passed away three years ago. Her loss was deeply traumatic for George and left him living alone. Moving after 52 years was difficult but, George says, “This is now home.” He and his family decorated his new apartment in the same style as his beloved family home.
George visited friends who lived in other communities, but feels there is just no comparison. “Park Place is just wonderful. The food is wonderful. I was really surprised at how good the food is, it’s amazing,” he exclaims, “I have Type II Diabetes so I have to watch what I eat, but there’s always good food for me here. The great thing is you can also take your dinner to go any time you want.”
In addition to the food, George loves the staff. “Everybody is just out-of-this-world friendly, from the dining staff to maintenance. They make it a point to get to know you and remember your name. I couldn’t ask for anything better!” He appreciates that there’s always someone greeting him with a warm hello and engaging in conversation. The staff also encourages him to participate in the various activities and groups, so he really feels a part of the community.
“There are so many activities to enjoy. I play ping-pong twice a week, pool once a week, and Pinochle every Wednesday night. I’ve made great friends. There’s always something to do, and the residents are such wonderful people. You can stay active in the exercise room or go in the pool. My grandson and I were in the pool just last week and had a blast! I’m looking forward to swimming in the winter too.”
George especially enjoys the Arbor Walk, and he loves when his granddaughter brings her dog to visit so the three of them can stroll around the campus together. Park Place of Elmhurst has exceeded his expectations in so many ways. He no longer has to worry about shoveling snow or eating enough vegetables, and he gets to choose from six delicious dinner entrées every night.
For George, the proximity to family and view of Timothy Christian is what initially drew him to Park Place of Elmhurst, but it was the ease of making new friends and the warm, welcoming community that made — and continues to make — Park Place his home.”
