After Careful Nationwide Search, Travel-loving Nurse Chooses Brandon Wilde For New Solo Adventure
When Nadine Ferguson decided to move to Brandon Wilde, the premier senior living community in Evans, GA, she wasn’t just choosing a place to live – she was choosing an active lifestyle filled with welcoming social opportunities, a place where she’d feel right at home as a solo resident, a convenient home base between her frequent travels, and the peace of mind that only a Life Plan Community can give.
A Nurse’s Perspective on Planning for the Future
Having worked as a nurse and for insurance companies for many years, Ferguson had in-depth experience with health care and senior living options. She also saw firsthand the challenges her own parents faced. As the eldest of five siblings, she was given the responsibility of caregiving for her parents when her father suffered a stroke and her mother battled Alzheimer’s – and she knew she wanted a different future for herself and her children.
“After caring for both my parents, I decided that was not what I wanted for my kids,” she explains. This realization led her to research Life Plan and Continuing Care Retirement (CCRC) Communities, which guarantee access to higher levels of on-site care if they are ever needed. Her work in insurance gave her an insider’s view of the best-rated facilities, and she put together a comprehensive plan to find the best community to suit her specific tastes and needs.
Over the course of two weeks, Ferguson, her son, and her daughter-in-law visited 15 communities in California, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. After getting an in-person feel for all her options, she discovered that Brandon Wilde checked all her boxes: highly rated health care services; a wide range of activities; a pet-friendly home for her cats, Felix and George; and a welcoming atmosphere – especially for solo agers like herself. She also enjoyed the relatively slower pace of Augusta when compared to Las Vegas, where she currently lived.
A Community That Feels Like Home
One of the key factors in Ferguson’s decision was the immediate sense of warmth and belonging she felt at Brandon Wilde. From the moment she walked in for her first tour, she noticed that the residents were engaged, the staff was welcoming, and the overall vibe was lively and social.
“There were people in the lobby, in the hallways, stopping to say ‘hi’ and ‘are you looking at Brandon Wilde?’ They’d stop and talk to you. Some places we visited, we weren’t even sure if people lived there!” she recalls.
She felt instantly at home, even though she had no prior ties to Augusta.
Making the Move While Still Working
Interestingly, Ferguson moved into Brandon Wilde while she was still working remotely for UnitedHealthcare. This decision allowed her to ease into the community, experience its benefits firsthand, and determine if it was truly the right fit before retiring.
“It was a little sooner than I was thinking, but my son said, ‘Why wait? You can test the waters and see how it works out.’”
Soon after arriving, she was drawn into Brandon Wilde’s vibrant, engaging environment and was happy to finally officially retire after a year of working remotely from her new home – though she still enjoys putting her extensive administrative skills to work as a chair of two resident committees and a member of two more!
“It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be to make friends and just get involved,” she says. “There are a lot of single people here, or widowers and widows like me. Everyone pulls you in. The dining room is a good example – if you think you’re going to eat dinner by yourself, you better be wearing a paper bag over your head because somebody will see you and say, ‘Oh, are you eating by yourself? Oh no, no, no, come join us!’”
Rightsizing for a More Active Life
Though she left behind a large home in Las Vegas, Ferguson quickly discovered that her new one-bedroom apartment was just the right size for her needs, allowing her to focus on the experiences that matter most.
“I didn’t need all that extra space anymore. I wanted less maintenance, no landscaping to worry about, and the freedom to travel more,” she says.
She participates in aquasize classes, a hiking club, and a crochet group. She’s involved in the Symphony League and attends local performances.
“I bought symphony tickets just for fun, and next thing I know, people are inviting me to join the League, go to plays, and get involved in more activities than I ever imagined,” she says.
Since moving to Brandon Wilde, Ferguson has already taken trips to Savannah, Charleston, Reno, and even spent a full month in England visiting her son. With the community’s convenient lock-and-leave lifestyle, she can travel freely, knowing that her home will be well cared for. (Her cats, Felix and George, enjoy being spoiled by a friendly neighbor while she’s out of town.)
A Decision She Doesn’t Regret
Looking back, Ferguson has no doubts that moving to Brandon Wilde was the right decision. “My friends in Vegas thought I was crazy to move somewhere where I knew no one, but it was probably the best decision I’ve made in a long time. I’m more comfortable and more active, and my son is happy knowing I have lots of new friends and I’m in no danger of turning into a crazy cat lady,” she jokes.
A Perfect Fit for Solo Seniors
Come visit and discover how this community provides ample opportunities to make new friends, enjoy activities at your pace, pursue your favorite hobbies and discover new pastimes, and adopt a wellness-focused lifestyle to maintain your independence – all while resting easy, knowing that more care is available should you ever need it.
Schedule your tour of Brandon Wilde by visiting www.BrandonWilde.com.