Come in from cold at Friendship Village
Robert Deitmer came in out of the cold last winter. The 90-year old long-time resident of Palatine appreciated the warmth, friendship, hospitality, great food and absence of household responsibilities that he experienced during his three month Weather the Winter stay at Friendship Village.
In fact he enjoyed it so much that he returned this winter, and has decided to make Friendship Village his home. “My three months ended in December, and now I'm planning on staying. I'm going to stay,” he said.
Weather the Winter is a promotion offered by Friendship Village, allowing seniors to stay in a beautifully furnished private apartment with full access to all amenities for three months. “Make no mistake. Even with the mild temperatures and absence of snow, a Chicago winter is still a Chicago winter. It's still no fun to have to bundle up to grocery shop, salt the driveway, shovel snow, or do any of the other Midwest winter chores,” said Dean Dellaria, marketing manager of Friendship Village. “Our Weather the Winter visitors love the opportunity to visit with new friends, participate in our activities and enjoy our wonderful cuisine without having to venture outside unless they want to.”
Deitmer said that he initially came to Friendship Village to appease his three grown daughters. “I didn't want to be a burden to them. I thought if I stayed here for the winter, they wouldn't have to worry about me,” he said. He immediately felt at home at Friendship Village.
Deitmer likes the variety of available activities offered at Friendship Village. “I don't stay in my apartment very much. My daughters complained that they could never reach me so now I carry my cell phone,” he said. “I like to go to the fitness exercise class. It's mostly girls. There's only one other fellow and myself.”
Deitmer said that he particularly likes Friendship Village associates. “They are so friendly. They're great to you and very friendly. You can't beat it,” he said. “Everybody takes good care of you. People are so friendly and sometimes I get hugs. I'm not turning down hugs. A hug is wonderful. It fits no matter what your size, and it always feels good.”
Friendship Village is a leading Chicago continuing care retirement community offering a complete continuum of care including independent living garden homes and apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory support, skilled care, and short- and long-term rehabilitation services. For more than 35 years, Friendship Village has been providing Chicago area seniors with exceptional retirement living options.