Greenspring Residents Share the Impact of Their Live the Life Stay

Ed and Patti Rager were living in a single-family house in Annandale, Va., when they decided to start researching retirement communities nearby.

"There was a time when we thought we'd live in our house forever, but we had seen from older neighbors who stayed in their houses that it could become a burden on others," says Patti, noting that family members and children of their neighbors often had to offer support.

"We didn't know much about Greenspring, but we wanted to take a look," says Ed of the Erickson Senior Living community in Springfield, Va.

With industry-leading amenities, dozens of engaging clubs and activities, an on-campus medical center, and a continuing care neighborhood, Ed and Patti knew that Greenspring would allow them to maximize their independence now and in the future.

"We took a tour, attended a lunch, and then joined the Priority List," recalls Ed.

That's how they learned about Live the Life--an overnight experience in a furnished residence that allows Priority List members to utilize amenities, dine at on-campus restaurants, and chat with current residents.

"Our stay tipped the scales!" says Ed. "Staying on campus and living like a resident made our decision to move to Greenspring an easy one."

Time to explore

Live the Life has really taken off at Greenspring, with multiple suites occasionally booking out for months at a time.

"Due to the increased demand, we've recently added several new suites to our Live the Life program," says Sales Director Franklin Funes. "By offering both one- and two-bedroom layouts, Priority List members can personalize their experience and try out a living space that best fits their needs."

He adds, "We've also welcomed groups of friends to stay at the same time, so they can experience community life together."

This unmatched opportunity to experience life as a resident is the number one reason why the program continues to grow in popularity.

As soon as the Ragers arrived for their two-night stay, they were handed the keys to their suite and a list of activities and events that would be happening on campus. Besides joining current residents for dinner each night, they were free to tour the campus and see all that Greenspring has to offer.

"We had fun exploring and discovering things at our own pace, including the multitude of restaurants and bars all serving different items," says Ed. "There are so many choices! We didn't have enough time to hit them all, but we did our fair share."

"What impressed us was how friendly everyone is," notes Patti. "Both nights after our meal, our resident hosts took us to the fireplace and introduced us to their friends and neighbors. They also took us to their own apartments so we could see their furnished homes."

She adds, "We began to really picture ourselves living there! It's such a vibrant community."

Worry-free living

Not long after their Live the Life stay, Ed and Patti decided that Greenspring was the place for them.

Eager to get the ball rolling, the couple reached out to Lauren Askey, the community's planning and moving consultant, for support--another perk of the Priority List. She visited the couple in their house to measure furniture, offer floor plan suggestions, and provide helpful resources for moving.

On July 22, 2024, the Ragers made a seamless move to their maintenance-free residence at Greenspring.

"Ed and I recently looked at each other and said, 'This is everything we need," says Patti. "We enjoy a much easier, more relaxing lifestyle because we no longer deal with household responsibilities."

"No more scheduling maintenance!" agrees Ed, who would handle most of the upkeep around the house.

In their newfound free time, Ed likes exercising in the fitness center and Patti enjoys attending meetings of the Nurses Forever club, composed of 37 other retired registered nurses.

"We are getting to know our neighbors who are active and freely share their interests and amazing life stories," says Patti. "There is more here than we could ever possibly do! It's really fun to pick and choose what we want to do."

An 'impactful decision'

Reflecting on their journey to Greenspring, the Ragers can't recommend the Live the Life program enough. "The stay was our turning point," says Ed.

"Without a doubt, the most impactful decision we made while researching retirement communities was scheduling a Live the Life stay at Greenspring," adds Patti.

"If you're interested in a Live the Life stay and planning and moving support, among other perks, I encourage you to join the Priority List," says Funes. "It's the best way to see what Greenspring's all about!"

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Greenspring, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

Written by Kelly Shue