When looking for a place to retire, Concordia Retirement Community in Bella Vista stands out in many ways.
Concordia has independent living and assisted living on the same campus, a variety of independent housing options and a culture that fosters an active, family-centered lifestyle.
"Everyone here honestly considers each other family," Concordia marketing director Linda Woollett said.
"It amazes me how welcoming everyone is to new residents. Integrating people is a priority at Concordia. Often when considering a move, the prospective new resident feels like they are about to go to kindergarten in the middle of the school year. But that could not be further from the truth."
In addition to many group activities that help residents get to know each other, residents of a certain building or section of townhouses meet in the private dining room for a special lunch each month.
"We do this because it really helps people get to know their immediate neighbors," Woollett said.
Concordia provides one home-cooked meal a day that is included in a resident's rent.
"We feel that by providing good food and an elegant dining room, residents have more incentive to socialize at mealtime," Woollett said.
With such a variety of housing choices, from a small one-bedroom apartment to a large three-bedroom, three-bath townhome, some people want to live in a house similar to the size of home they used to have, while others want to downsize and prefer an apartment.
"Moving to Concordia has a positive effect on people," Woollett said. "I call it the metamorphosis. Someone will move here and within a few weeks, has a certain sparkle and spring in their step."
Woollett attributes that change to all the social activities that residents are offered.
"People interacting with other people are just healthier," she said.
Concordia has an apartment reserved for people who want to live at Concordia on a trial basis to make sure they want to make a permanent move.
"Once a new person gets in the swing of things, they usually love it and don't want to leave," Woollett said.
More information about Concordia is available online at www.concordiaretirement.com or by calling (479) 855-3714. Anyone interested in Concordia is welcome to take a tour and have a complimentary lunch.
General News on 04/23/2014