New-to-Chilliwack senior finds community and connection at The Hawthorn
Andrew delights in his daily lunch, freshly prepared each day at The Hawthorn’s Alpine Bistro.
Conversation and connection were two driving forces behind Andrew Enyvari’s recent move to Elim Village Garrison Crossing’s ‘Independent Plus’ building, The Hawthorn.
Andrew, like many seniors, was struggling with loneliness before moving but has since found exactly what he was looking for.
“I really enjoy chatting with others,” shares Andrew. “I’ve chatted with people my entire life, and I get to do that again here.”
Andrew spent his working years as an ‘ear, nose, and throat doctor’ in Port Moody, earning him the nickname ‘Doc’ with Hawthorn staff. He had lived in the same house for 40 years, raising his two boys there with his wife, who passed away a year ago. Andrew had spent the six years prior caring for her, handling the cooking, cleaning, and winter shovelling of their steep driveway.
After his wife passed, Andrew felt overwhelmed and exhausted by his large home and the responsibilities that came with it. He was ready to find a place that would take care of all the day-to-day responsibilities for him.
“It was my son who told me about ELIM. He’s also a doctor and works in Chilliwack, and some of his patients live here,” Andrew explains. “He had mentioned my situation to some of his patients, sharing how lonely I’d become and that I was in need of people to chat with after losing my wife. They all recommended The Hawthorn and I thought…well, I’ve always loved Chilliwack.”
Since moving to ELIM, Andrew has certainly found his place among the other residents. He enjoys the phenomenal architecture, breathtaking views, and mouthwatering food that makes this ‘Independent Plus’ building such a unique place to live.
The Hawthorn welcomes with a breathtaking entryway, seamlessly blending modern architecture, high ceilings, and inviting furniture.
“I really like the high ceilings in my suite, as well as the large windows and wide corridors,” Andrew says. “I also like being able to see all the mountains in a panoramic view. The food is top class too—you can’t find a restaurant in Chilliwack that can compete with The Hawthorn!”
Not only is the food delicious, but it’s also created with the health of residents in mind.
“It’s very important to eat healthy and have fresh produce as a part of your diet,” Andrew notes. “We need those vitamins and minerals to move our muscles and keep our brains active, and that’s what we get here. The food is always fresh, and you can tell a lot of work is going on behind the scenes.”
Since moving in, Andrew has experienced first-hand the welcoming atmosphere of The Hawthorn community, where other residents often invite him to sit down and join them for meals. Andrew notes that since settling in he “considers all of the residents here to be friends of mine.”
“The Hawthorn is a very, very nice place and I recommend that everybody live here! The staff are real professionals, from the top to the bottom. You can tell for many of the staff, it’s more than a job, it’s a vocation. They have compassion, empathy, understanding, and love towards the residents.” Andrew says.
For more information on Elim Village Garrison Crossing and the array of unique amenities and services offered, visit their website, call 604-769-0022, or email garrisoncrossing@elimvillage.com. Stay up-to-date with their latest offerings by subscribing to their mailing list.
Learn more about Elim Village Garrison Crossing and The Hawthorn:
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A community bonded by faith, Elim Village Garrison Crossing offers residents many benefits