Resident Kathy Beck Shares the Impact of Her Live the Life Stay

Often, seeing is believing. That was the case for Kathleen "Kathy" Beck, whose overnight stay at Ashby Ponds, the Erickson Senior Living community in Ashburn, Va., played a pivotal role in her decision to move there. 

A Live the Life visit--a three-day, two-night stay in a furnished apartment home--provides Priority List members the unique opportunity to experience, firsthand, the lifestyle enjoyed by Ashby Ponds residents.

During their stay, guests are invited to dine with current residents in the community's restaurants, attend club meetings and events, and explore the 132-acre campus. 

"I can't imagine not taking advantage of a Live the Life stay," says Kathy, who scheduled her visit last December while visiting her brother Richard. "It's a wonderful way to experience community life in a more in-depth way than just a meeting, lunch, or tour." 

Planned to perfection

Prior to their Live the Life stay, guests are asked to fill out an "All About Me" questionnaire sharing information about their background, interests, and hobbies. 

After gathering this information, Sales Associate Jessie Hazlett, who organizes the program, pairs each guest with a resident ambassador who shares similar interests. 

"I also provide guests with our monthly club calendar, so they can see what's going on during their stay," says Hazlett. "If a club is meeting during their visit, I encourage them to attend. And if there's a club they are interested in that's not meeting, I'll contact the club leader to set up an introduction."

All of this preparation on Hazlett's end made for Kathy's seamless Live the Life experience. 

"Jessie did a great job planning my stay," says Kathy. "With a background in performing arts, I was paired with two resident ambassadors who are heavily involved in the drama club. We immediately hit it off! In fact, at one of our two dinners together, we lingered until the restaurant closed, talking and enjoying each other's company."

'Why wait?'       

Impressed by the community's amenities, activities, and friendly environment, Kathy knew that Ashby Ponds was the place for her. 

"What really stood out to me was the friendliness of both the staff and the residents," she says. "My Live the Life stay confirmed that moving to Ashby Ponds was the right choice for me. I made the decision then and there."

She continues, "I originally thought I might move in two years. But then I thought, 'Why wait?' I wanted to move sooner rather than later so I could take advantage of all the community has to offer."

So, Kathy used the remainder of her Live the Life stay to plan her out of state move from Long Island, N.Y., using the community's services. 

"That was very convenient. It ultimately meant one less trip back and forth from New York," she says, with a laugh. "The support that Ashby Ponds provides in terms of selling your house and moving is wonderful and much appreciated."

Home sweet home

Since moving to Ashby Ponds in March, Kathy finds life at the community to be just as vibrant as it was during her Live the Life experience.

"Each day, I enjoy interactions with warm, friendly residents and staff," she says. "When I lived on Long Island, not everyone would smile or say hello when they saw me. But here they do. It's like they've known me for a long time. It's really special."

Building on the connections she made during her stay, Kathy joined the drama club. In August, she served as the club's monthly speaker, presenting "Stepping into the Shoes of an Actor," detailing the process an actor goes through while preparing for a role. 

Recently, she began offering a series of monthly mini acting workshops. "Each 90-minute class is different," she says. "They are designed for a small group--perfect for hands-on learning." 

Already feeling at home, Kathy plans on becoming a resident ambassador herself. "I am grateful for the impact the ambassadors made on my visit, and I'd like to do the same for others," she says. 

Perfect timing

With the recent opening of Leesburg Landing, Ashby Ponds' final residence building, Hazlett is hard at work preparing for more Live the Life experiences.   

"We typically host four to five people each week, but with the opening, the number of stays is increasing dramatically," notes Hazlett. "As a result, we recently opened a third suite to host guests."

She adds, "If you're interested in a Live the Life stay, I highly recommend joining the Priority List! You don't want to miss out on this unique opportunity."

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Ashby Ponds, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.