For Ryman resident Yvonne Flett, moving into a serviced apartment was an easy choice.
Living at Bob Owens in Tauranga, she decided travelling to Auckland all the time to see her family was too much stress.
“One Sunday night I had just had enough. I said to my family, how about me coming to live in Auckland? And they were very much for it! I was getting a bit of anxiety from constantly going back and forth between the cities.”
With family living in Dairy Flat, Yvonne had passed Ryman’s Orewa village, Evelyn Page, many times before and took the plunge to enquire about a transfer between villages.
“I met with Steph the Sales Advisor here, and she was so kind and explained everything to me so well.
“Steph explained how assisted living, or serviced apartments, would be good for me as it provided more support, but that I wouldn’t lose my independence.
“I didn’t want to move in the future either, so I chose to go into serviced straight away and I got a ring within three weeks to say one was available!”
After working for many years in the aged care sector herself which involved running a day-care centre for the elderly – Yvonne knew that she wanted that same level of care for if or when the time came. Seeing her husband cared for at the end of his life in Tauranga, also gave her confidence in the move.
And when Yvonne saw her apartment for the first time – she knew it was her place to call home.
“What I really wanted was a ranch slider, to be on the ground floor and to get sun in the morning and when Steph opened the door – there was the very thing.
“I knew straight away the apartment was for me, and I’m very happy I made the change.
With nearly a year of serviced apartment living under her belt, she says she now prefers living in a serviced apartment as it reminds her of her cruising days.
“I get my linen changed every week and my apartment cleaned. It’s like living in a hotel. We get clean towels every day, I get a lovely hot meal in the middle of the day. The rubbish is taken away as well.
“At night I feel very secure, and that’s what I like is the security of it. As you get to know people too, the friendships are nice, you have friends and connections here.
“Lastly, the convenience of being handy to everything and being in the building is great. I have people around me all the time and I don’t have to walk far to get anywhere.
But after living in Tauranga for 50 years, making the switch wasn’t easy. However, she’s feeling at home now.
“All the staff are very helpful here and I’ve just come back to the village this morning and it felt like I was coming home again.
“You won’t lose your independence by coming into a serviced apartment because I haven’t lost mine. I can come and go as I want to. It’s just the security of being here knowing you have help nearby and also the security that if your health deteriorates, you will be cared for.
“I couldn’t wish for anything better really!”