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Life at a Bishop Gadsden gives the Wards freedom to travel

Joan Ward stretches out her hand and pets the wiry coat of “Kiltie,” the Wards Scottish terrier, as we enter her living room decorated with an Oriental flair.  Beautiful items purchased on their travels add accent notes to their casual but classic room.  Joan points to some lovely paintings from China that she and Grant collected on a trip there.   

   With the precision one expects from a career mechanical engineer, Grant tells of how Bishop Gadsden became their home four years ago.  “We met someone during a tour to Turkey and he told us about the wonderful community in which he and his wife lived in Florida.  Their life was stress-free; no house or yard work.  Instead, they had the time to enjoy other pursuits, including travels around the globe.”

   “Joan and I realized that we would really enjoy life in a community of this type, free from the snow and ice of central Virginia and the maintenance of the extensive grounds of our home of 30 years.  We began to learn as much about continuing care retirement communities as we could.”

   “We purchased a directory of retirement communities and learned the types of amenities each has.  We established our primary criteria; the community must be accredited and non-profit, near an urban area and have superb wellness facilities. It was important that our future home be a community with spacious, well designed and decorated social areas; a dining program that offered fine dining as well as casual alternatives; a well equipped and staffed fitness center with an indoor heated pool. We searched the directory, made a list, and then visited each one. We hadn’t found a community that had all the features and amenities we wanted, when our friends the Randalls called and told us about Bishop Gadsden. The Randalls, whom we knew in Virginia, had moved to Bishop Gadsden and were familiar with our search.   At their invitation, we came to visit.  When we saw Bishop Gadsden, we knew that it was just what we wanted and we signed up that day!”

   When they first began considering continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) Joan thought she would like a cottage. But advice from friends helped them decide that an apartment would be better.  Grant and Joan selected a two-bedroom apartment.  “Our apartment keeps us close in the center of the community but still provides the living privacy we want,” said Joan.  “There is ample space to have guests in the second bedroom and we use the community’s guest suite when we need even more room.”

   She continues the story, “Everything fell into place.  Our house in Virginia sold within days of our returning there. We had more great advice from friends who told us they used an estate specialist who purchased items they did not need after moving.  We contacted one who came, reviewed our furnishings and gave us one price for them all.  Of course, we let our son have first pick!”

   Joan says, “We really felt liberated by not having to keep more than we needed!  Many people won’t let go of their stuff. But for us, it lessened our stress to take only what was most important to us. I even gave away all my ‘entertaining items.’  Because we have great restaurant-style dining here at Bishop Gadsden, we only cook when we feel interested in it.  Sometimes we have friends over for a drink in our apartment before dinner or treat them in Polly’s Pub.” 

   After getting settled into life at Bishop Gadsden, Joan and Grant began to immerse themselves in activities in historic Charleston and at Bishop Gadsden.  Both volunteer as docents for the Preservation Society of Charleston’s Fall Candlelight Tours.  They participate in the Citadel’s Senior Scholars programs which bring together life-long-learners with esteemed professors, experts, or other professionals for round-table learning.  Several times a year the series hosts nationally and internationally recognized speakers.  Planned activities are enjoyed by many residents at Bishop Gadsden, including Joan and Grant.  They most enjoy the “Nights on the Town.”  These regular evenings may include attending the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, The Footlight Players or Dinners on the Town to Charleston’s finest restaurants.   Joan volunteers for the Activities Committee and enjoys working with the highly professional staff who organize all the events at Bishop Gadsden and also serves on the Resident Council.  They both enjoy croquet on the lawn in the Palm Courtyard.

   When asked if they have any advice for those planning ahead, Grant says, “It’s beneficial to the individual not to wait too long before moving!”  Joan echoes this and says, “Before moving to Bishop Gadsden, we had a large garden and too much responsibility.  It got to be a chore!  The lessening of our stress is health promoting.  Now when we want to go traveling, we just shut the door and off we go.”  And go they have! The Wards have now toured the globe—and continue traveling with the confidence that their home at Bishop Gadsden will be waiting for them upon their return.