This content was produced by Summerset and is being published by the New Zealand Herald as advertorial.
Bonnie chose to move into a Summerset serviced apartment when maintaining her previous home started to feel overwhelming. She wanted a place that would support her future needs and give her family peace of mind.
“I was living in a lifestyle village worrying about the maintenance of that place and realising that as you got older, you were going to need more help. I looked around and thought, I want something that’s going to keep me safe so my kids can just relax and not have to worry,” said Bonnie. “It was exciting. I kept coming back all the time and sitting in the apartment before I moved in, I just couldn’t believe that I was going to live here,”
With her loyal dog, Flash, by her side, Bonnie has found joy and companionship in her serviced apartment, fully embracing this fresh chapter and the friendships it brings.
“This place, it’s got a bit of magic. It feels like you’ve arrived somewhere where everybody’s buoyant, like I’m on holiday on a cruise. Every day you can have fun,” said Bonnie.
“It’s just so vibrant. You wake up in the morning and there’s noise and life going on. You want to hear this place. They’re laughing, joking and enjoying themselves. And really, where else do you see that at eight or nine o’clock in the morning? I can be sitting outside my place, and somebody will come along and say, ‘Hello Bonnie how are you?’ And invite me along to an activity. It’s the availability of company, all the time. That’s what I like about it. Everybody’s so nice.”
Surrounded by a vibrant community, Bonnie feels confident knowing her future is secure thanks to caring and supportive staff.
“The staff are so empathetic and caring, they sort of ooze it. You can see the looks on the Nurse or Manager’s face how much they really do care. That’s the part that I like, you’ll get a bit of sympathy when you need it, and you get care when you need it.”
Knowing she’s in the right place and busier than ever, Bonnie encourages others to make the move while you can still enjoy everything village life has to offer.
“For us older ones, if you don’t do something about it sooner rather than later, you don’t have the same options. So, think about it and think about what’s best for your family. Do it while you can enjoy it.”
If you’d like to know more about Summerset serviced apartments, pop into Summerset Mount Denby in Whangarei, or visit summerset.co.nz/whangarei