Virginia, 83, is playing Scrabble with Campbell (Cam) Sibbers, 78, her constant companion at The Orchards Retirement Residence in Vineland

Considering senior living but daunted by downsizing?

Cam and Virginia, who met at The Orchards, have no plans to marry, but have found the sort of companionship in each other that generally comes with a long-term marriage. Call them lovebirds if you like. With residents of retirement homes active and often widowed, partnering up with someone is not uncommon, according to one residence administrator.

Across the room, Eugene Moreau, 89, tells how he and Helen Schott, 70, sitting beside him, have all their meals at a table for two in the dining room.

„We spend a lot of time together,“ says Helen, a widow who had a stroke 27 years ago. „We have rooms next to each other.“

Cam says life was miserable after his wife died and he was on his own. He went to a seniors‘ seminar, learned about The Orchards and was especially taken by the club attached to the residence and where now he swims regularly. „It’s pretty good,“ he says in his rich Scottish brogue.

„And you met me!“ Virginia vГЄ-la reminds him. „We’ve been on several Caribbean cruises together. But now we’ve decided just to go on day trips because being here is just like being at a little hotel. „

Unlike Helen and Eugene, they don’t share a table. „I see enough of him without eating with him,“ says Virginia, a widow. „I’ve got three other men at the table to argue with,“ says Cam with relish.

Nearby, Eugene, also a widower, says of his friendship with Helen: „A lot of people think we’re a married couple.“

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but in the case of Irene Wright and Fred Forrest, it can also change your life forever.

Some months ago, Irene and Fred, residents at Central Park Lodge (Queens Drive), had agreed to take part in some photo sessions. Continue reading →