Couple is happy they moved at the right time

David and Deb Gainer enjoy the beautiful garden they created on their patio. Their unique “before and during COVID-19” perspective has shown them that moving to Ann's Choice was the right decision. (Photo credit: Harry Beam)

When Deb and David Gainer moved into their spacious apartment home at Ann’s Choice in December 2019, everything was going according to plan. They immersed themselves in the active lifestyle and loved the amenities at the Erickson Living-managed community in Bucks County, Pa.

“For two and a half months, we were meeting new people, going to events, getting our apartment set up just so, and really enjoying ourselves,” recalls Deb.

Then COVID-19 hit. For reasons they couldn’t have foreseen, they were even more thrilled with their decision to move to Ann’s Choice.

Early planning for an active retirement

After stints in the restaurant industry during her 20s, Deb returned to graduate school at Rutgers University and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. “I knew I was too smart not to go back to school,” she says with a laugh. “I couldn’t imagine myself lugging trays of food at 60, so I decided to pursue a professional degree.”

She met David, a social worker for the state of New Jersey, during her first postgraduate position. “Our practices were different, but our cases often overlapped in court,” she says.

David worked with abused and neglected children for 25 years, while Deb counseled clients and families for private organizations for 33 years. Long before a retirement move was on the horizon, they started planning for it.

“We wanted to be young enough to fully enjoy it,” says Deb. They toured more than a dozen communities before deciding on Ann’s Choice. “

A friend who was familiar with the community said, ‘You must look here before you make your final decision,’” Deb recalls. “Ann’s Choice was the last place we toured, but by the second visit, we were hooked.”

They joined the priority list immediately and went to every event. “Initially, we thought we wanted a smaller community, but being on campus convinced us that Ann’s Choice’s large size was a plus. There are so many resources and so many wonderful people,” Deb notes.

She adds with a laugh, “Deborah Olcese [Ann’s Choice’s sales director] always asks at her presentations, ‘Why mow the lawn, why shovel the snow,’ and she’s absolutely right! We loved our home, but were tired of taking care of it. Plus, moving would have been even more stressful as we got older. We were happy to put it behind us.”

Priority list benefits

One of the benefits of priority list membership is the right of first refusal when apartment homes become available. Deb and David were offered a Jackson floor plan in December 2018, but felt that it was too small and declined it. Ten months later, a larger Washington-style floor plan opened up, and they said yes.

“We knew Ann’s Choice was the place for us,” she says. “We just had to find the right apartment home. When we saw the Washington and its glorious patio, we knew it was the one. We accepted immediately.”

Looking ahead

Deb and David were impressed by how well Ann’s Choice handled the early months of COVID-19. “We didn’t have to go to the store if we didn’t want to,” she says, “because meals and essentials were being delivered. We felt safe, protected, and well-informed.”

The independent couple has found many ways to stay active while maintaining a safe distance from others. While many amenities have reopened, the Gainers are content to wait before immersing themselves fully.

“Everyone should do as much, or in our case, as little as they’re comfortable with. We bike, kayak, and walk, so we’re active and engaged while remaining physically distant from others. We love Ann’s Choice and can’t wait until life feels normal again,” says Deb.

To learn more about Ann’s Choice, visit AnnsChoiceCommunity.com.

Ann’s Choice, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 103-acre campus in Warminster, Pennsylvania. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,900 residents and 1,000 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Ann’s Choice can be found at AnnsChoiceCommunity.com

Written by Dorrie Anshel