Seniors Choose Shipley Living: A Wise Decision for Vibrant Living and Community Connection

November 21, 2024 | Blog | Reading Time 3:00 Minutes

A spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Shipley Living senior living community in Wilmington, Delaware, is just the right fit for Anna and Peter Somogyi who say it enables them to keep living full lives that include continuing to enjoy their hobbies.

Serving as marketing ambassadors for the community, which provides independent living, assisted living, short-term rehab and skilled nursing, the couple welcome other new and potential residents.

They also share what drew them to choose Shipley as their home two years ago.

Downsizing from a five-bedroom home, the Somogyis, who live in independent living, knew they needed space. That prompted them to choose a two-bedroom floor plan. They turned the second bedroom into space for Peter, who is a classical music and opera buff.

“My husband has his own music room,” Anna says. “We set it up just like he had it at our previous home.”

With speakers placed around the room, Peter can immerse himself in music while Anna continues her hobby of baking, which she does in the apartment’s well-appointed kitchen.

Because both she and Peter have Hungarian backgrounds, she often makes sweets from her homeland while also finding new recipes on the Internet to try out. “I enjoy baking, and people who are close to me enjoy my baking too,” jokes Anna.

Another benefit of the two-bedroom apartment is the large master bedroom which fits a king-size bed, along with a nightstand and other furnishings. Anna, who works part-time for a trust, has set up part of the master bedroom as her office.

“The master bedroom is huge, so I took part of it for myself,” she says. “I have a desk and my computer. I spend a lot of time working on the computer and reading.”

The Somogyis both like that Shipley Living is close to everything they may need, including stores, restaurants, and more.

“It’s very convenient,” Peter says.

Most importantly, they say the staff at Shipley Living is outstanding.

“The staff here are lovely. They are so helpful. I can’t give them enough praise,” Anna says.

Citing the ways in which the staff goes above and beyond to care for residents, Anna says the dining staff knows all of the residents’ preferences at meals.

“They keep track of what everyone likes to eat, and they always give me two glasses of water because they know I like water,” she says. “The staff here look out for everyone.”

Knowing that transitioning into a new home can be difficult, Anna makes a point to always welcome new residents. She and Peter are also glad to serve as ambassadors and, answer new and potential residents’ questions and take them on tours of the building.

Compared to other communities that seemed large and overwhelming when they were looking  into senior living, the Somogyis agree that Shipley Living’s smaller atmosphere, caring staff and close-knit group of residents are part of what makes it such a great place to live.

Making the choice to move into senior living was a big decision, but “we made the right choice,” Peter says.