When Plans Changed, The Clare had the Answers

Their plan took a turn sooner than expected and so they were glad that preparations had been made.  Sharon and Paul Rickman*, formerly of Oak Park, had sold their home of 35 years in order to move into a Marina City condo in the heart of downtown Chicago.   This was planned as a transition before ultimately moving into a retirement community.  “We knew we wanted to find somewhere in which we could live independently as long as possible with access to assistance when we needed it,” said Sharon. “We had thought about eventually moving to a retirement community further north, but after having lived downtown, we knew we didn’t want to leave the area.”

Sharon said that they’d looked at The Clare well before it opened in 2008, but the pricing at the time was prohibitive.  Fortunately, under new ownership by Chicago Senior Care and management by Life Care Services, new pricing plans were made available, making it possible for them to make The Clare their new home.

At the time they moved into The Clare, it was becoming apparent that Paul had some memory issues.  “We had started investigating and we went to a clinic at Northwestern where it was confirmed that Paul was experiencing memory loss,” said Sharon. The couple also participated in a support group at Northwestern.  “Paul was exceptionally functional at the time and in fact was still going to his law office every day.  His decline was so precipitous and no one really knows why.  We were in Boston in Christmas, and the decline between then and March was very dramatic.”

“We really thought we had a lot more time than we did but it became necessary for him to move into The Terraces Memory Support Community at The Clare,” Sharon said.   Although in the same community and only an elevator ride away from Paul,

Sharon still feels the separation from her husband of 49 years sharply. Paul however, is doing well in his private suite in The Terraces. “The staff is exceptional.  They’ve been outstanding.  They’re very kind and very considerate and innovative in terms of meeting his needs.  They arrange tasks and activities for him that help make him continue to feel productive and involved. And I know he’s safe.  That’s the main thing,” she said.

Sharon said that it’s fortunate that she is able to visit Paul often throughout the day.  “Being under the same roof with Paul is huge. One of my kid’s friends said that her dad had made a trip to a nursing home to see this young lady’s mother every day for nine years in rain, hail, sleet and snow,” said Sharon.  “I wondered about how I’d be sure I’d be able to visit him every day.  How often would I be able to see him?  At The Clare, I’m able to see him as often as I want. It’s so easy. I don’t have to drive anywhere, I don’t have to plot out my day just to see him. I can just drop in.”  On Sundays Paul will often come and have brunch with her and their kids, and when Sharon entertains friends for dinner, he’ll join them.

While her husband is receiving the attention and care that he needs, Sharon is able to enjoy The Clare and all its amenities. “This place is like a community onto itself.  The residents are friendly and accomplished people and there are a lot of great activities.  It’s like a cruise ship for Pete’s sake and if there’s something you have an interest in and there’s not an existing group, you start one,” she said.  Furthermore, the food is wonderful and the dining staff extremely accommodating, Shelia said.

Sharon relishes being in the heart of Chicago. “It’s so true when you hear that it’s all about location, location and location.  Even my teenage granddaughters love it here.  They can look out my window and see Nordstrom’s and Aeropostale and Water Tower.  We’re up on the 32nd floor looking right out at Lake Michigan,” she said. “You can go anywhere within moments, and I do.  I hop on the L or bus or grab a cab and can be on State Street or at the Art Institute or the Chicago History Museum in minutes.  The possibilities are limitless. You can be as busy as you wish and I’m busy every single day.  There are opportunities for doing anything you’d want to do.”

Sharon, who is 74, said that she and Paul made the decision to move into The Clare at the perfect time.  “I’m not sure what I would do if we hadn’t been here. If we had made a different choice or randomly bought a condo somewhere, or had even delayed our decision…. at this point I’d be employing help 24/7 and wondering what we’d do next,” she said. “I’m so pleased that we made this decision together.”

The Clare at Rush and Pearson is a continuing care retirement community in the heart of Chicago with incomparable lifestyle, amenities and the financial stability only a debt-free community can offer.  The Clare is owned by Chicago Senior Care and managed by Life Care Services.  For more information visit: www.theclare.com or call 312-784-8100.

*The names have been changed to respect the residents’ privacy