Why Cadbury?

Several years ago it became apparent that I was having trouble crawling under cars, keeping the lawn mowers operating, keeping the grass cut and keeping up with the maintenance around the house. My wife was also starting to have knee problems. We decided that it was time to look around for a place to really retire. We started looking around at the various continuing care retirement communities. My parents had lived at one for about 10 years, but we didn’t like several of the conditions at the place where they were. Other places didn’t provide independent living apartments while other places were too far from the neighborhood with which we wanted to remain in contact. Expense was an issue for others. We had received previous invitations to social events at Cadbury, but couldn’t quite fit in the time. It wasn’t until we received an invitation to an ice cream social that we decided we could make the time to check it out.

When we entered the lobby, I had the instant feeling that I was home. As we approached the sign- in table, we were welcomed by marketing personnel and residents. From that time on, we were being hosted by people who gave us the feeling that we had known them for a long time. We were treated to ice cream and more conversation about the features of Cadbury. We had a chance to talk with other seniors and found that they seemed to have about the same initial feelings as we did. After we had finished our ice cream, the Marketing Manager took a group of about eight of us on a tour of the community. The tour included, in our opinion, a very nice dining room and cafeteria, library, pool, and three different styles of apartments. The only areas we didn’t get to see that day were the health care unit and rehab facilities. We did note a small workout room next to the pool. My wife wanted to see the health care area so arrangements were made for us to come back several days later for that tour. It is interesting to note that the man of one of the touring couples wanted to sign up that day after the tour. His wife was hesitant due to the fact that they had not yet sold their house.

Several days later my wife and I came back to see the healthcare unit. We were very impressed. There were no odors. The area looked and smelled clean. The aides and nurses seemed pleasant enough. Again, we were given a tour of the three available apartments. One of the apartments was currently being upgraded but nearly completed. It still needed some kitchen work.

We went back to the marketing office in order for them to review our financial status and to again discuss the various contracts. As we were sitting there waiting for the evaluation, I noticed the couple that had considered signing up during the previous visit enter the lobby. I presumed that they were going to take the same tour we had just finished.

On the way home, my wife and I discussed our visits and agreed without a doubt that this was the best place we had visited. We really liked the three-room apartment that was nearing completion and the fact that everything was under one roof. That to us was the deal maker. The desired apartment was set up in the best configuration for us and all of the features of Cadbury included everything we could need. I commented on my presumption about the other couple to my wife and suggested that if it was OK with her, that as soon as we got home, I would call back to marketing and let them know that our deposit was in the mail for the desired apartment. About a week later, my wife was asked to come back to tell the construction manager how she wanted the kitchen finished. Six weeks later, we moved in. The other couple lives down the hall from us. We had guessed correctly, and after three years, there is no doubt that this is a great place to live. The residents and staff alike are quite friendly and share a common concern about every one's comfort and wellbeing.

-Bruce Zollers, resident of Cadbury at Cherry Hill