What does it mean to be “Home for the Holidays”?

Is it the house you have lived in for decades, filled with memories? Or is it the feeling of being safe, connected, and surrounded by the people you love most?

For Beverly and John Heaton, a couple married for 53 years, the answer became clear after a series of unexpected events changed their lives forever. Their story is a powerful reminder that home is not just a place, but a presence.

John shared some sentiments from before the transition to Presidential Oaks. “We started out our lives together with laughter and that is something we have kept going all these years. Our home in Warner was perfect and we loved it. We built our lives there with each other. We took care of family, I created things in my workshop, we sung in choirs. There was a lot of joy in our lives.”

An Unexpected Turn

Life has a way of unfolding in ways we never anticipate. For most of us, a skilled nursing facility is not part of the plan until, suddenly, it needs to be. This was the case for Bev and John. The reality of needing more support hit home when Bev, who had not been feeling well, had to be admitted to the hospital overnight. She would not be able to get home to John, who was waiting for her in their beloved house in Warner.

Worried about John being alone, Bev asked a trusted friend to check on him. That phone call proved to be critical. Her friend discovered that John had fallen and was unable to get up on his own. It is an all too common and frightening situation for many seniors and their families.

A Heartbreaking and Necessary Decision

John’s fall also landed him in the hospital. He needed rehabilitation services to regain his strength, and Bev remembered a positive experience they had with a short rehab stay at Presidential Oaks in the past. Working with the hospital and our admissions department, she was able to secure a bed for him. Making the decision to have John move into a skilled nursing facility was hard, even heartbreaking, but it was necessary. These are the moments that families navigate with a mix of emotions, logistical stress, and the challenge of adjusting to a life that looks different than imagined.

Bev shared how she felt at the time. “It all happened so fast. We went from being totally independent to John being here. These are not the choices we want to have to make, but we made them because we had to. I just knew it had to be done.” But the story did not end there. A few months passed, and Bev and John knew they did not want to live apart. John was deeply concerned for Bev’s safety, living alone and maintaining their large home. The separation was taking its toll.

Together Again, Home for the Holidays

Knowing there were newly renovated apartments at Presidential Oaks, Bev had a conversation with our Admissions Director, Lezanne. Over a few months, Lezanne worked with Bev to secure a beautiful suite for her in our retirement living building, just an elevator ride away from John. This led to another monumental decision: selling the house where they had built their lives, cared for family, and celebrated countless holidays. Letting go of the physical house was a challenge, but Bev knew it was the key to being with her person again. She wanted to be closer to John. John had moved into Presidential Oaks in November and by the following August, by her choice, Bev was here too.

Bev shared some important sentiments about her experience navigating the change in her and John’s lives: “The thing I think is important to remember is that you need to adjust your expectations. It’s not going to be the same as home. If you don’t adjust and you don’t accept the changes, you’re not going to be happy. It was very difficult to give up the way of life we were used to.”

This holiday season, Bev and John are home, together, at Presidential Oaks. Their love story is a testament to the fact that home is not the four walls that surround you, but the love that fills them. Their journey highlights the difficult, yet vital, conversations many families face. If their story resonates with you, or if you are beginning to explore what the next chapter might look like for your own family, we are here to be a resource.

Considering a new home for yourself or a loved one? We invite you to learn more about our warm and welcoming community.

• Schedule a personal tour to experience the community at Presidential Oaks for yourself. Contact Lezanne Flanders, Admissions director to schedule your private tour.
• Sign up for our email list to receive updates and be the first to know about our upcoming Open House in January. Sign up here!