Monarch Landing Makes It Possible To Live Under the Same Roof

Until it became a very personal issue for them, Peggy and Wilhelm Linss had not really considered the importance of a Life Plan Community which offers all levels of care for older adults. The couple, formerly of Beverly, moved last fall to a retirement community where they both lived until Peggy became ill. After she was briefly hospitalized, the retirement community decided that she could not return as they would be unable to care for her. “When we moved there, I always thought we’d be able to stay there together but that didn’t happen and they wouldn’t accept her back,” said Wilhelm. The couple’s son discovered Monarch Landing which, as a Life Plan Community, offers a full continuum of care including independent living. Its health and rehab center provides memory support assisted living, rehabilitation, respite, respite rehab, enriched living, and long term care. “I liked it right away. I liked it very much,” said Wilhelm. Peggy moved into an apartment in memory support assisted living, and Wilhelm moved into a two-bedroom apartment in independent living, and most importantly to them, under the same roof.

“I’m pleased with how beautiful it is,” said Wilhelm. “I like the environment. And there are many different things to do here including fitness programs, clubs and so on.”

“I find that the people have been open and friendly to me from the very beginning,” added Peggy. “It’s been easy to make nice friends. They talk to me and invite me to whatever is going on.”

Wilhelm has met people he enjoys and said that he has found that his fellow-residents have been fascinated by his background. A native of Germany, Wilhelm served in the German army during World War II. He was captured by the Americans and as a prisoner of war, was transferred to a prison in France. There he was able to study at the Theological School for War Prisoners in Montpelier. This spurred an interest he already had in the church, and helped him make the decision to pursue theology professionally. When Wilhelm was released, he returned to Germany to study for three years and then moved to the U.S. where he earned his doctorate from Boston University. Wilhelm taught New Testament at universities around the U.S., and in 1992 retired from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Peggy and Wilhelm are both happy with their new home. “Peggy is getting help for everything she needs. She’s treated very well,” said Wilhelm, “It’s comforting having somewhere we can be together. I come to see Peggy every afternoon and often eat with her. I hadn’t really thought about a community offering all levels of care. It hadn’t been important to me, but then it became important to me.”