Senior Independent Living: Change Is Never Easy Part II

Among the myriad of housing choices available for seniors, Independent Living offers today's seniors the most versatile options. As was discussed in last week's post, maintaining a home is a source of pride but as we age, those familiar surrounding may begin to feel more like a burden. For many of us, coming to the realization that we should begin looking at housing alternatives to our current situation is the first - and often most difficult - step.

Where Do I Start?

Before Dorothy embarked on her journey down the yellow brick road she received sage advice from Glinda;  it is always best to start at the beginning.

Today's seniors have the advantage of a wide variety of resources to draw from. Boomers grew up during the period of time when new technologies were becoming reality on an almost daily basis. These seniors are more apt to turn to the Internet for information. Regardless of whether or not you access the 'net, grabbing a handful of brochures should not be your first step. Like everything else in life, printed media has its place in helping disseminate information but for making an informed decision, nothing can replace a face-to-face meeting.

Life In Ten Words Or Less?

A discovery interview for all levels of senior living will involve filling out a form or two but that is only part of the process. Like any good relationship, sharing information about who you are is the first step in the getting acquainted process. Information sharing enables the staff at Central Wisconsin Senior Living to assess your likes and dislikes, narrowing down your housing options until you have a customized plan tailored just for you.

Pioneer Place has 19 different floor plans and over 30 apartments, furnished and unfurnished, making it possible for you to find a living arrangement that fits your needs. Also available is the option of Whitetail Run. Both communities offer safe, secure environments for today's active seniors. The deciding factor won't be found in a side-by-side brochure comparison but will be made following several meetings with Central Wisconsin Senior Living staff and apartment tours. Scheduling an appointment for a tour and individualized amenity plan meeting should be your first step.

What Should I Look For?

There are several Independent Living Checklists available online including one that you can access by clicking on this link. They are all similar in nature, varying slightly but all cover the same topics you should be looking at when considering Independent Living: location, your prospective home, community, dining, service & programs, and staff. 

While a checklist will help you keep track of the amenities that are offered, it is also helpful to talk to residents to get their feedback. You don't except your new living arrangements to be one-dimensional; this is not the time for 'one-size-fits-all' or expecting a round peg to be forced into a square hole. Finding a community that offers the amenities that are important to you, in a place you will feel proud to entertain your family and friends is important.

It's been said the light is what guides you home, but it is the warmth that keeps you there.

Senior Independent Living: Change Is Never Easy

"Change always comes bearing gifts."

~ Price Pritchett

Price Pritchett’s quote on change is one that offers a fresh take on change, a subject we all like to discuss when change happens to someone. While we offer our friends and family a response “change is never easy,”  the truth of the matter is that oftentimes change can be difficult to accept but something we all must deal with.

The generation termed Baby Boomers is now on the threshold of change as they contemplate revising their living arrangements. According to The Baby Boomers Webplace the generation that became teenagers between 1953 and 1977, heavily influenced by television and the generation to experience the first major geo-political repositioning of the world since the Roman Empire (aka The Cold War) now find themselves concerned about out-living retirement assests, caring for elderly parents and concern for their own retirement lifestyle.

Thinking about moving can be a source of stress but exploring your options and planning ahead can help relieve that anxiety. 

Independent Living or Other Senior Housing?

What is the difference? 

Independent living is classified as any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors, generally aged 55 and older. Housing options cover a wide variety of options from freestanding homes to apartment-style living. The major difference between independent living and other housing options is overall health and assistance in daily living activities. If home upkeep and maintenance has become overwhelming or your simply looking for a community with more transportation access and opportunities to socialize, an independent living facility may be a good option.

If you or a loved one requires round-the-clock help with eating, dressing or personal hygiene, other housing options such as assisted living or nursing homes may be a better fit.

For those who desire the ability to maintain an independent lifestyle, Pioneer Place is an outstanding and affordable choice.

The building that houses Pioneer Place was built in 1931 and at one time was home to Lullabye Furniture Company. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, was renovated into a beautiful Independent Living apartment complex.

For today’s senior population exploring their housing options, thinking about giving up the familiar for a new living arrangement is a major decision. What you need from an independent living faciltiy depends upon your own situation. Knowing what to look for in an independent living facility can help you make the decision that is right for you or your loved one.

One of the first things that you can expect after your initial contact with the staff at Pioneer Place will be to schedule a discovery interview which will determine which one of the 19 different floor plans will best suit your lifestyle and your needs.

There’s No Place Like Home

It isn’t just Dorothy who longed for the comfort of home; our holiday carols are filled with references to being home for the holidays. Maintaining a home is a source of pride but as we age, it can also be a burden. Yard maintenance, difficulty keeping up the cleaning those extra rooms after the children have moved out. Maybe your home is difficult to access making it increasingly difficult for you to leave home, leaving you or your loved one more isolated. It might be worthwhile for you to take a look at your current living situation to see if an alternative will allow you more freedom and flexibility.

Upcoming blog post: What to expect in a discovery interview

Finally, Spring Arrives At Whitetail Run

Whitetail Run Onsite Manager Judith Strasser reports seeing the first signs of spring: residents lingering by the mail boxes in conversation, enjoying the warm temperatures and sunshine. After the long winter we all enjoy having our early evenings filled with daylight and replacing our heavy winter coats for light jackets. 


The resident's who call Whitetail Run home epitomize today's senior; they are active and interested in life. Rocking chairs on our resident's front porch are more likely a place to put their walking shoes than a place to sit and watch the world pass by.

The arrival of the yard crew is always a welcome sight for our residents, everyone seems to enjoy watching the workers remove the dead grass and leaves, making way for spring's green growth.


The warmer weather heralds another rite of spring: our resident's getting out their bikes and enjoying daily walks. For one resident, the absence of snow revealed what seems to be more than the usual amount of litter along Okray Drive. He said he can't understand why people feel it necessary to litter. He felt compelled to take a garbage bag and pick up the litter. Several trips for additional bags resulted in his having to borrow the utility cart to bring the filled bags back. If there is an organization looking for a community project, they might want to consider picking up the litter strewn along Okray Drive. I know our residents would appreciate it.
A pair of crows have taken over one of the pine trees near the club house and are busy with nesting duties. An owl that came too close to the pine tree causing the crows to raise quite a ruckus.

Residents have noticed several pairs of Bluebirds have returned and are calling our community home. Our residents feel a connection with nature and many of them have bird feeders up year round.  When one of our residents noticed a pair of Mallard Ducks waddling through her yard, she placed cracked corn and a trough of fresh water, much to the delight of the ducks. She received some good natured teasing that before long she won't be feeding just two ducks but their entire family. "Wait until those ducks start bringing their babies!" I think no one is going to mind and will look forward to the sight of baby ducks outside their window.


Mother's Day is always a special time at Whitetail Run. This year we had so many visitors parking spots were at a premium including spots near the club house! Our residents look forward to the arrival of family; some of the residents are treated to brunch and others plan a meal at home. Mother's Day flowers and hanging baskets are favorite gifts and are among the first bright spots of color to appear around the community. 


With spring here to stay, we look forward to enjoying more of our favorite outside hobbies.

North Crest Resident Harriett Trebatoski

It isn't often that you come across a pithy quote that relates to knitting but as soon as I heard it, I immediately thought of North Crest resident Harriett Trebatoski. The quote is: "If you give a gal a scarf, she'll have an accessory. If you teach her to knit, she'll be in stitches for the rest of her life."

Harriett has spent a large part of her adult life crocheting and knitting for family and friends as well as crafting many other items that were sold through the Lincoln Center Holly Shoppe. From the time Harriett first began knitting in 1982 until the time she put down her knitting needles and crochet hooks in 2010, she provided 2,550 crocheted kitchen towels, 1,093 knit caps and shirts, 601 baby afghans, 257 baby quilts, 839 flower arrangements and 900 seasonal wreaths, birds, rabbits and other decorative items. These are just what is on record at the Holly Shoppe. It does not take into account the afghans she made as wedding presents for all her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Harriett has also made countless baby afghans and other items. To say she enjoyed knitting would be an understatement.


Harriett was born March 16, 1920, to Harry and Amelia Garceau in Crosby, Minnesota. Her father ran the Chevrolet dealership in Crosby and her siblings, four brothers and two sisters, attended Crosby-Ironton High School.


The family was involved in music activities. Harriett played a keyboard, her two sisters played organ and piano, while one brother was a music teacher and played with their father in the city band.


Harriett met Stanley Trebatoski at the J.C. Penney store in Crosby where he was the assistant manager and she was a sales clerk. The couple married on July 10, 1939. Harriett recalls that on the day of their wedding it was 110 degrees in Minnesota. "I'll never forget that day," she said.


Harriett and Stanley returned to Stanley's hometown of Stevens Point in 1940 and lived on what was the Trebatoski homestead on Illinois Avenue; it remained their home for the next 54 years. Harriett lived in the house until 1997, moving a year following Stanley's death when St. Michael's Hospital needed the property for expansion.


Harriett and Stanley operated the Fifth Ward Grocery store on Church Street prior to Stanley's taking a position with Normington's Laundry where he remained for 20 years before taking a job with the city of Stevens Point treasurer's office.


While their children were growing up, Harriett was a stay-at-home mom. She did take a part-time position at the Coast-to-Coast store before joining the UW-Stevens Point food service catering team.


It was during the time that Stanley was working at Normington's that Harriett joined a knitting club with the wives of the other workers at Normington's. One of the primary items that the knitting club made were baby soakers, wool pants that went over diapers.


Harriett recalls that they weren't difficult for her to learn to knit and it wasn't long before she began crocheting as well as doing some sewing for her children. Irma Zimmerman, a member of that sewing club, now lives with Harriett at North Crest.


Harriett's daughter, Pat Trebatoski, Stevens Point, said that Harriett has enjoyed crocheting and knitting so much she would rather give her items away than sell them. "She and my dad were the most generous people I knew," Pat said.


While Harriett has given up knitting and crocheting because of arthritis, her family and friends will forever treasure the handmade gifts she lovingly made for them.