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SENIOR LIVING

friendships later in life

aking meaningful friendships later in life can be Doris and Caroljean met at Samaritas Senior Living of Saginaw
challenging, but finding things in common is a great and became fast friends shortly after the New Year in 2016. It is
Mstart! (Priscilla) Till has been playing Scrabble for close not often you see one without the other as they propel around
to 50 years, learning from a family she rented from when her the community. Doris and Caroljean share stories about their life
husband was in the Air Force. Ruth learned how to before living at Samaritas and occasionally refer
play here at Samaritas. In fact, that is how they met. When asked what they to each other as “my sister.”
Ruth had been at Samaritas Senior Living of would do without the Both families have embraced each of the women
Traverse City since last October, and Till since other, Verla replied with and include them in their visitations as part of
January. They both attended a Scrabble game; that their family and celebrate birthdays, holidays
is where their friendship began. The women have a simple, “I would cry,” and special family events.
met each other’s children, and when asked what while Sandy’s reply was,
would be a perfect day, of course they said to spend “I’m just glad we found In some cases, there isn’t much in common.
it with their kids. But if not able to do that, seated Nancy and Thema don’t have much in
around the Scrabble board was a close second. each other.” common besides proximity, both being residents
of Samaritas Senior Living of Bloomfield Hills
In Grand Rapids, Sandy and Verla, both residents of the Woods, for the past four years. They moved in one month apart from each
move in within two weeks of each other. Soon after moving in, other in 2015.
they both sat at the same table for lunch. The rest is history.
The pair both moved into Samaritas following the death of their
They immediately hit it off and became best friends. They do husbands, a choice they insist was theirs and not their kids’. The
everything together. They both enjoy going on walks, soaking up socialization they found in each other and in the independent senior living
the sunshine in the summer months and going out to eat. They living community has strengthened them, they agree, and keeps
have bonded over the love for their husbands and children. them going and enjoying each day.

When asked what they would do without the other, Verla replied Meeting new people and finding new happiness involves stepping
with a simple, “I would cry,” while Sandy’s reply was “I’m just glad out of one’s comfort zone.
we found each other.” They have created a friendship like no other
and are both thankful to have the other. To volunteer at any of our Senior Living communities, please
contact Lauren Brosch at LBros@samaritas.org.

Why Choose Samaritas?

"YOU'RE NEVER ALONE. SOMEONE IS HERE 24 -7. I FEEL SAFE AND SECURE WHEN I
GO TO BED AT NIGHT. MY DAUGHTERS ALSO FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE KNOWING
THAT THERE IS SOMEONE LOOKING AFTER ME. THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY. IT'S A
REAL PEACE OF MIND FOR THEM. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH. I JUST LOVE IT HERE!"
~ JOSEPHINE, current resident touching on why she loves Samaritas Senior Living

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