Parkside at Corry resident, Nancy Brigham, enjoys the safety and comfort of her apartment and the building.
Satisfied Seniors: Parkside at Corry residents delight in their new home
Nancy Brigham was among the first residents to move into Parkside at Corry in late 2020 when the newly constructed independent living apartments opened. She was ready for a move after her husband died, and she spent months taking care of her house, the lawn, paying utilities, and more by herself following his passing. “When I looked at my gas, electric, water, telephone, home insurance, and all the expenses we had with our house, it was nice to come here and not worry about all that,” said Brigham.
Beyond the stress relief of no longer needing to maintain her property or manage all the bills, Brigham and fellow residents Irene Platt and Marilyn Smith agree that their new home at Parkside at Corry provides them comfort and happiness.
Peace of mind
“My family knows I’m safe here,” said Platt, who has also lived at Parkside at Corry for over a year. Her safety was a concern her family had when she was living on her own after her husband passed. She now finds herself in a one-bedroom apartment that she describes as “beautiful,” in a secure building living alongside others independently. “Living here is kind of like being in a college or sorority,” Platt said as she laughed. “We have a lot of fun and have each other to look after.” Smith agrees. “I had never lived by myself. My husband and I were together 59 years, so when he passed, it became lonely. Then I moved here and got adjusted pretty quick after getting to know some other residents.”
The three residents we spoke to, who each have their own apartment, also noted the importance of a safe and secure building. “I had four outside doors in my home that I had to check were locked every night and make sure the windows were closed and secure. Here I just have one, my apartment door, so I feel very safe here,” Brigham said. Safety features in each apartment also include support bars in the bathrooms and two emergency pull-cords in each unit.
Conveniences
The Parkside at Corry complex is located adjacent to the Corry Memorial Hospital, which provides several conveniences. When Platt had to do physical therapy, she just walked next door. Residents also have access to the hospital’s cafeteria to purchase meals seven days a week, and in the event an emergency occurs, hospital security and staff respond quickly. Platt was also able to sell her car recently because transportation is made available for grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments, and more.
Brigham says residents also have regular communication with community director Marcus Maloney, which makes them feel valued. “Marcus meets with us every couple of weeks to keep us informed of things and listens to our feedback as well.” On-site maintenance staff keep the facility clean and assists residents with basic upkeep, such as changing bulbs or fixing blinds. “It’s nice not having to shovel or worry about mowing the lawn,” said Platt. “And if Marcus sees someone needs help clearing the snow off their car, he’ll help with that too.”
Activities abound
Various activities and social events are available to all residents to help keep them engaged and promote interaction with other residents. Brigham said it’s nice to have so many options. “We have things like bingo, wine and cheese hours, birthday socials, and some residents do puzzles and movie nights.” Maloney recently hosted a “Souper Bowl” party where several residents made soups and shared some fun and fellowship. Nearly every resident attended and participated.
Parkside at Corry is also the only senior living community in northwest Pennsylvania that is Blue Zones Approved, meaning the facility promotes a healthy lifestyle to help residents live better. “The Blue Zones staff does a great job with activities they host for us. They get us walking and exercising, cooking demonstrations, and other fun, informative things,” Platt said. The third-floor activity room also has fitness equipment, including an interactive fitness mirror that’s available to all residents.
A new place to call home
Brigham summed up her feelings, describing the sense of community she feels at Parkside at Corry. “We’ve met a lot of people here and made friends, but I really feel more like they’re my family. My children and grandchildren can’t always be around, so this set is perfect for me. This is my home now, and I love my home.”
Parkside at Corry is an independent senior living community that opened in December 2020 and included 39 units. One-bedroom apartments are available now, and tours can be scheduled by calling 814-868-3883 or by emailing the community director, Marcus Maloney, at [email protected].
This article first was published in the Corry Journal – “Living 50 Plus” March 2022