Robert And Azar Sheldon Enjoy a Worry-Free Lifestyle at Devonshire

Ten years after building their dream house on the island of Maui in Hawaii, Azar and Robert "Bob" Sheldon discovered that, although beautiful, it did not provide access to the health care they needed. 

"When we moved to Maui from Sanibel Island, Fla., we thought we would live there forever," says Azar. "We built the house on a single-level and even added a cottage for a future caregiver. We were very happy." 

She continues, "However, after developing asthma, I realized that we didn't have access to specialized medical care on the island. To see a specialist, I had to take a flight to Oahu or Honolulu and deal with TSA security and taxi rides. It was a lot. Bob and I were also getting to the point where the house was too big for us and our little dog Missy."

As a result, the couple started researching their senior living options, hoping they would come across a community that would share Hawaii's lush, tropical beauty. 

They found exactly what they were looking for at Devonshire, the Erickson Senior Living community at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

The right one

"When looking at retirement communities, one thing we really wanted was a serene, park-like setting," says Bob. 

Devonshire's 26-acre campus, covered in palm trees and vibrant native flowers, immediately caught their eye.

And once they learned about Chatsworth--the continuing care neighborhood at PGA National that offers a range of services for Devonshire community members--they knew that they would be well cared for in the future, if their health care needs changed. 

So, the Sheldons decided to join Devonshire's Priority List, which afforded them a spot in line for a residence and plenty of opportunities to learn more about the community. 

One such opportunity was a Live the Life stay--an overnight experience in a furnished residence that allows guests to utilize amenities, dine at on-campus restaurants, and chat with current community members.   

"Visiting a community you are interested in is so important," says Bob. "The opportunity to stay overnight was very helpful. We were most impressed with the beautiful campus, and we also found that the facilities are terrific, including the spacious apartment homes." 

He adds, "When you add up the value for money spent, we couldn't find anything that came close to Devonshire!"

'Natural beauty'

After their Live the Life stay, the Sheldons had their sights set on Devonshire, so they returned to Maui and put their house on the market.

Seeing their new home as a chance for a fresh start, the couple started downsizing. "We donated all of our furniture, taking only five pieces of luggage, a carry-on, and Missy," says Azar. 

"Then," she adds, "we flew to Oregon to see family and spent ten days driving across the country, arriving at Devonshire on Christmas Eve, 2023."

Since settling into their residence, the Sheldons have found that Devonshire's stunning, amenity-rich campus has far exceeded their expectations.

"Remarkably, I find there is more wildlife closer to us now at Devonshire than we enjoyed when we lived near the J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge," says Bob. "We particularly like the two sandhill cranes that wander around campus. It was a rare thing to see something like that in Sanibel. Here at Devonshire, natural beauty is all around us."

He adds, "We couldn't find any other community like this; it's our number one reason for moving here."

Worry-free living

Amidst their beautiful surroundings, Azar and Bob are busy participating in activities and making new friends. 

"We moved to Devonshire not knowing anyone. But everyone, from our neighbors to the staff, have made us feel welcome," says Azar. "We like that we can choose to dine together, just the two of us, or join our neighbors. We've found a nice balance."

"Devonshire is small enough to be personal and large enough to provide freedom and privacy," says Bob. "Our main interest is walking Missy. We can walk any number of miles with her and always see and meet others out walking their dogs too. We enjoy each other's company very much and our times spent together."

The couple also appreciates the community's worry-free lifestyle. 

"The maintenance staff is wonderful," says Bob. "We had a problem with one of our plumbing fixtures. I called General Services and two hours later it was fixed. I don't even have to change a light bulb if I don't want to!"

"It's a very easy life here," adds Azar. "As I tell Bob, 'Happy wife, happy life.' I am very lucky."

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