“This Place Looks Like a Cruise Ship!”
Seventeen years ago, Rose and Elvin walked through the doors of Edgewood Fargo for the first time. Like many couples exploring senior living options, they arrived with questions.
Would it feel like home? Was it the right choice? Would they still have the life they loved?
Rose still laughs when she remembers her first impression.
“My granddaughter told me we had to move in because this place looked like a cruise ship.”
The beautiful dining room, amenities, and activities may have brought them in. But what made them stay was something deeper: a community that could grow and adapt alongside them as their needs changed over time.
Seventeen years ago, Rose and Elvin moved into Edgewood Fargo with the hope that it would be a place where they could enjoy many more years together, and it became exactly that. Little did they know they would also become such an important part of what makes Edgewood feel like home.
Even as their care plans changed, Rose and Elvin helped shape Edgewood Fargo into the vibrant community it is today. They took part in countless activities, served on committees, and became familiar, caring faces to both residents and team members. They were always willing to lend a helping hand and played a meaningful role in making Edgewood Fargo the warm and welcoming place it is today.
When Rose and Elvin moved to Edgewood Fargo, they were enjoying an active retirement. They traveled, spent winters away as snowbirds, and made the most of their time together.
Independent living gave them the freedom to keep doing the things they loved without the responsibilities of maintaining a home. Instead of spending their time worrying about home repairs, yardwork, or other household responsibilities, they could focus on traveling, spending time together, meeting neighbors, and enjoying everything retirement had to offer.
For Rose, senior living wasn’t about giving up her independence. It helped her preserve it.
Seventeen years later, that spirit hasn’t changed.
At 94, Rose still starts her mornings with exercise. She plays cards with friends, helps with Catholic Mass in the chapel, and participates in community activities. Even after she stopped driving about a year ago, community transportation helped her maintain her independence.
There is never a dull moment. They always have you doing something.
As the years passed, Rose and Elvin’s needs began to look different. Elvin’s dementia meant he eventually needed more support with everyday life, including the specialized support of memory care, while Rose remained independent. For many couples, this is one of the most difficult transitions to navigate.
Because Edgewood offers multiple levels of care within the same community, Rose and Elvin didn’t have to leave the place they had come to know as home simply because they needed different types of support. They could still be close. They could still share a community. They just didn’t have to receive the same level of care.
One of the biggest concerns families face is what happens when spouses need different levels of support. At Edgewood, multiple levels of care exist within the same community, allowing residents to receive the support they need without leaving the people and place they call home. As care needs change, home doesn’t have to.
As Elvin’s dementia progressed, he eventually moved into memory care.
For Rose, that chapter brought heartbreak, but it also brought peace of mind knowing her husband was safe, understood, and cared for by people who truly knew him.
Memory care provides specialized support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Structured routines, meaningful activities, trained team members, and a secure environment help create comfort, connection, and purpose.
For Rose and her family, the people made the biggest difference.
Darcy, a nurse at Edgewood, became deeply trusted by the family. She understood the care Elvin needed, but she also took the time to know Elvin as a person, learning his personality, routines, preferences, and the life he had lived.
One memory Rose treasures is an anniversary supper the Edgewood team arranged for her and Elvin. The evening celebrated their marriage and the many years they had shared.
Elvin didn’t fully understand what was happening, but Rose did. She remembers the kindness behind the gesture and still carries that memory with her today. Even when dementia changes what someone remembers, meaningful moments can still matter.
Elvin passed away, but Rose remains at Edgewood Fargo. The community they chose together 17 years ago is still home.
Explore Memory Care
Understanding Your Options
Like Rose and Elvin, many adults begin their senior living journey by thinking about what they need today. But one of the most important questions to ask is what they may need tomorrow. For residents who need help with daily routines such as medication management, bathing, dressing, or other personal care, assisted living provides personalized support while encouraging independence and choice. While some seniors may eventually require skilled nursing, many can continue to thrive within independent living, assisted living, or memory care as their needs evolve.
For Rose, that has meant knowing she can continue living independently while having access to additional support if needed. Knowing Edgewood was there to recognize and respond to Elvin’s changing needs brought comfort and peace of mind.
Today, Rose fills her days with exercise, activities, friendships, Mass, and familiar faces. Her story reflects what many seniors and families hope for: the ability to maintain independence and a sense of home while having support available when life changes.
Looking back, Rose understands why making the move to senior living can feel overwhelming. But after 17 years, her advice is simple:
“If you are afraid, don’t worry. The people will help you.”
Rose’s story is a reminder that choosing senior living does not mean giving up the life you love. The right community can help you maintain your independence, stay connected to the people who matter most, and access the support you need as life changes.
If you or someone you love is exploring senior living, Edgewood can help you understand your options and find the support that fits your needs, goals, and lifestyle. To start a conversation, contact info@edgewoodhealthcare.com.
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