Finding a place to call home is about so much more than just a roof over your head. For Westminster Village resident, Steven Ireland, returning to his hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana, after more than four decades away was both exciting and daunting. Like many seniors, he wanted a community where he could feel safe, engaged, and near family. His journey led him to Westminster Village, and his story is a powerful example of how the right senior living community can transform the experience of aging. In his own words, Steven reflects on what made Westminster Village the perfect choice: from reconnecting with family and friends to discovering a community that supports residents with kindness, care, and a wealth of activities.
Steven Ireland’s Testimonial
Since both my parents were no longer living, and both my brothers and their families lived in Terre Haute, Indiana, or towns and cities close to Terre Haute, Indiana, I was asked if I would like to live there. My answer was yes: I would love the idea of moving back to Terre Haute. I hadn’t seen many of them since the summer of 1978, and I missed all of their family and my two brothers immensely.
I hadn’t heard from or seen any member of my family for months, so I assumed the question of staying in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or moving back to Terre Haute had become moot. I had no idea that my twin brother was looking at various places in Terre Haute and the surrounding cities and towns close to Terre Haute.
So, while still living in Minneapolis, I received a long-distance phone call from Terre Haute, Indiana, reversing the charges. I assumed I would be talking to one of my brothers. To my surprise, I was speaking with the Navigator Nurse from Westminster Village of Terre Haute, Indiana. The question needed to have an answer.
The fact that I had never seen or heard of Westminster Village, and the fact of where I lived, was considered in answering the question to the best of either party’s ability. The idea of moving back to Terre Haute, very near most of my family, was thrilling. The surprise of my twin brother looking, and the long-distance call, clinched any questions I might have had about moving back. I did, and I couldn’t wait to tell my twin brother that the idea of moving back to Terre Haute, and hopefully ending up at Westminster Village, ended my search for a new home.
My brother, although thrilled for me, asked me, like any relative, friend, or guest might, to make the final decision carefully, to ensure that my future home would not be temporary, but my new independent home where I would live for many years. I may have been thrilled at the time, in the summer of 2022, yet I wondered if this feeling would last. As an independent home, Westminster Village is very much the shining example of friends and blessings.
For me, the fact that I learned I knew three residents at Westminster Village after living 44 years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so far away was a miracle.
Westminster Village of Terre Haute, Indiana, offered six real factors that mattered to me:
- Transportation — Very close to hospitals, medical offices, stores, grocery stores throughout Terre Haute, and various trips and events that Westminster Village coordinates.
- Activities — There are various activities, not just for a short period, but year-round, in which a resident may participate as little or as much as they wish.
(a) Westminster Village coordinates and promotes trips that are educational, fun, and worthwhile for all.
(b) Residents may get involved in both on-campus activities and off-campus trips every day. - Staff — All staff are truly friendly and helpful, not only to other staff but to all residents as well.
(a) A resident may ask a question of staff or other residents, and if someone doesn’t know the answer, they will direct the resident, family member, or guest to the correct staff member or front desk for a response. - Residents — The various residents are not only friendly but also very helpful to both residents and staff.
(a) Residents may ask any question, and all questions are either answered by the front desk or directed to the person best able to answer.
(b) Residents and staff know each other’s names, and in the dining room, they even remember drink preferences and table needs so everyone can enjoy their meals. - Medical Support — Westminster Village is well-equipped to manage medications, administer shots, and provide medical care.
(a) In 2025, they have a doctor on staff and are very close to local hospitals.
(b) The location allows easy access to hospitals in Indianapolis or Illinois by road, and even by air if needed.
(c) Westminster Village provides van service for trips to stores, grocery stores, hearing aid offices, eye doctors, dialysis, funeral services, hairdressers, barber shops, and other appointments. - Warm and Cordial Environment — Westminster Village is very friendly to staff, residents, and guests. It is also close to my family, local events, medical offices, and hospitals, enriching our lives to the fullest.
(a) Westminster Village is near events, restaurants, stores, and all medical needs are accessible by car or van.
(b) It is close to my living family, relatives, friends, and guests, making visits easy.
(c) Staff and residents treat family, friends, and guests with dignity and respect, making every visit feel like a staycation or vacation.
The second anyone crosses the front glass doors of Westminster Village, beginning at the front desk and, for me, starting with that long-distance phone call. You are treated with dignity and respect. I have been treated with dignity and respect in every part of Westminster Village. Knowing that this respect is present 24/7 has brought me a profound sense of peace.
This is why I am very grateful to call Westminster Village my comfort and my one and only residence, my new home. When I set the bar for how well everyone could satisfy me, I am always pleasantly surprised. The staff and residents do more than just meet expectations: they exceed them. For that, I am forever grateful for that one long-distance telephone call, which started and ended my search for a comfortable and spacious home. Westminster Village has, since July 3, 2022, become not only a place of comfort but my spacious new home.
For any new or current resident, I am not “paid” for this testimonial in money, but in the satisfaction of living in a place where each day I learn something new, not because I have to, but because I want to. I hope what I have found here can be found by others. Trust me, the staff and residents of Westminster Village make it a blessing and a friendly home for all.
Sincerely,
Steven Ireland
Steven’s experience shows that choosing the right independent living community can bring not only comfort and convenience but also new joy and connections. Westminster Village offers more than just a home; it’s a place where residents can find a new sense of purpose.
From the first phone call to the moment he crossed the front doors, Steven found a community that exceeded his expectations and provided him with a true sense of belonging. His story is a testament to the dedication of the staff, the warmth of the residents, and the thoughtful design of Westminster Village. In this place, every day brings new opportunities for connection, learning, and happiness. Contact Westminster Village today to learn more about how your story can change with our community.
