Resident Spotlight: Jean Manzke

Waterford Estates resident Jean Manzke has lived in Tinley Park nearly all her life. She was born in Chicago and grew up as the middle child in a neighborhood in Tinley Park.  She has seen this town go through the effects of The Great Depression, numerous World Wars, all types of eras and fads and still remains a faithful resident of this area of Chicago. With a father in World War 1 and a brother in the service, having to persevere through hard times has been a life skill that’s gotten Jean through her life.

“I trust God when times are hard and when times are good. My faith has stayed strong even when friends and family fall away,” Manzke said.

After attending middle and high school, Jean went to 1 year of community college and took night classes. She studied numerous subjects, including oil painting and accounting, both of which would play a role in her future careers.

Jean and her husband opened a cabinet shop and she did accounting for it. She said that outside of that, she will try ‘just about anything.’ Her wide range of interests have multiplied over the years as she is now an avid organ and keyboard player, knits breast cancer scarves, reads and writes, attends bible study, and frequently goes to painting class.

“I’ve never had a freer life than I have now. No responsibilities and loads of activities!’ Manzke said confidently.

Jean’s family ties run deep and long, as there are nearly 75 people in her extended family, coast to coast, and even has a 6th great granddaughter on the way! She stays in frequent touch with most as they come visit her often, with grandchildren and great grandchildren tagging along. When Manzke moved to Waterford earlier this year, she said it was an easy transition.

"They (the staff) really help you here. You become friends with these people and it makes you feel at home all the time,” Manzke said.
 
Jean’s experience with Waterford has been a wonderful time for both her and the residents and staff around her. She has taught those around her many life lessons.

“You’ve just to accept people where they are at. I’m not here to change anybody. I believe in being confident and happy in how God has made you, gifts, talents and all,”  Manzke said.

Known around Waterford as the wittiest woman, Jean is nothing less than a joy, fun and wise friend to have! We enjoy having her here!

For more information on our nursing home Homewood, nursing home Olympia Fields, or nursing home Flossmoor community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Family Member Testimonials About Waterford Experience

Here at Waterford Estates, we know moving a family member out of the house into a retirement community can be a difficult and potentially stressful situation. Find comfort in knowing that our intentional staff is there to be of assistance in any way during any part of the move, and will be in constant communication with you and your family every step of the way.

Listen and watch this video of a Waterford resident family testimonial, talking about her family's wonderful experience of working with Waterford after moving their loved one into our retirement community.

For more information on our memory care Tinley Park, nursing home Hazel Crest, or assisted living Tinley Park facility, contact us here.

Dining At Waterford Estates

Here at Waterford Estates, we take our dining service and your dining experience seriously! We provide the nutritional and social aspects of your daily meal experience and it is easily one of the most enjoyable parts of life here at Waterford Estates. From a fine waiting staff, to three meals a day, friends to sit with and elegant surroundings, your dining experience is sure to be great! Our dining experience is different than other communities because we offer Flexible Dining, you can dine at your convenience at anytime between 7am-7pm. Enjoy a taste of what the menu is like here:

For more information on our assisted living Olympia Fields and nursing home Olympia Fields community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Nutrition and Exercise Fanatic Resident, Carmen Cook

We all know it’s a healthy balance of diet and exercise to stay in shape and for Waterford Resident Carmen Cook, she has discovered a great routine and solution to help her in the process. Carmen believes in combining a consistent fitness program along with a diet regimen.

“I always try to eat healthy by consuming a lot of veggies and fish. Portion sizes have to be watched. I avoid desert but every now and then, I have a little something.”  

Carmen was a nurse for more than 20 years and because of what she has seen, both good and bad for health, she has learned what works and how to do the right thing. 

Exercise, health and well-being are a huge focus on the lifestyle here at Waterford Estates. To see an example of our activities schedule, click here. For more general information on our nursing home Hazel Crest or assisted living Tinley Park community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Caring For Mom And Dad

To all the past, present and future caregiver’s out there, the process of caregiving can be a hard, frustrating and sometimes a discouraging experience.  With family caregivers now providing 90% of parent care in addition to balancing work, family and a job, this new show from PBS called ‘Caring for Mom and Dad’ seeks to answer and explore the emotional, health and financial challenges of being a caregiver. Read and get to know some of the families and stories involved with the show. These people are relatable, real, and honest and chances are, it will encourage you in your journey of caregiving, whatever phase you may be in. Check it out here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/caringformomanddad/

Waterford Estates staff is ready when the time comes to help your loved one transition. Our expert sales counselors are available to walk through the decision making process with you. Contact us or stop by and we would love to meet with you. Our assisted living Hazel Crest community is located near Homewood.

Resident Spotlight: Genevieve Peredna

Born in the South side of Chicago on December 6th, 1915, Genevieve Peredna is surely one of the longest-standing residents of Chicago, considering she’s stayed here her entire life.  When she was 7, her poverty-stricken family moved to Canyon, a small rural area with only three houses on her street. Her parents were full-blooded Lithuanians and had three children, in which Genevieve was the middle child.

Genevieve grew up in the depression era and though her family as poor and lived in a rural neighborhood, Genevieve was the only one who went to high school for 2 years and then became a bookkeeper. Her high school achievement was a rarity and was amazing for that time! She also did advertising for a while, as well as payrolls by using a ‘comptometer,’ a giant machine that adds numbers for you. While her bosses loved her and she ‘worked very hard,’ she eventually left this position to take care of her parents.

In 1938, Genevieve married her grammar-school crush and dancing fiend of a husband. They were incredible partner dancers, especially in the waltz. He worked doing management, was an incredible singer and dancer, and both he and Genevieve were actively involved in their church doing fundraising. Her husband was drafted into the first division of the first army in Germany on the front lines. During his time of service, she had her first daughter. When the war ended, he had to stay on duty and when returned, he ended up at President Eisenhower’s headquarters for 2 years as the head draftsmen. Then, they moved together to the house across from her parent’s to take care of them and stayed there for 62 years.

They had their second daughter in this time, who worked, alongside her sister, in the education system for more than 30 years each, with either a Master’s degree or a PHD. With numerous grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Genevieve’s life has been very full and very special! The majority of the generations below her are either lawyers, doctors, nurses or in the news industry. While five of her great grandchildren are in Seattle, one is in Chicago and comes to visit Waterford Estates often.

Genevieve and her now late husband moved to Waterford just shy of three years ago and has enjoyed every moment since she set foot on campus.

“There’s just about anything you want to do here. All the help here is very nice. They are always there to help you. I’m happy here,” Peredna said.

As far as her involvement as a 3-year resident of Waterford, Genevieve is quite involved in serving and helping others. She is a ‘resident ambassador,’ welcoming in new residents and showing them the lifestyle while adjusting to a new place. She is also a part of the ladies ‘Red Hatters,’ in which they do various weekly service projects in and outside the campus. Genevieve’s sharpness, high character, positive attitude, hard work ethic and servitude comes from her greatest influence and from her overall life experience, as a near 100-year-old woman!

“My mom was a sharp woman. She worked hard and talked about good things. She overcame a lot of hard things, including blindness and my dad had Palsy. We used to reminisce together on the porch. Losing her and my husband are the hardest things I’ve done but I can’t complain about it.. I am so grateful, have had such a good life and my kids are good to me,” Genevieve said.

Genevieve is an essential part of our family here at Waterford Estates. Her current hobby is going to hear Shannon, our activities director, read an 1927 Memoir on Monday evenings. We love Genevieve and she is full of life! With her 100th birthday coming up, we are so excited to honor and celebrate a woman who gives and brings so much to our life here at Waterford!

If you are interested in learning more about our nursing home Olympia Fields community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here.

Family Member Testimonials Say It All

When moving a family member out of the house and into a retirement community, it can be a difficult transition along with many other potential stresses and worries for families. Here at Waterford Estates, our staff intentionally helps each individual with the transition, move, and any need possible, all while keeping in constant communication with the family members.

Listen and watch this video of a few families talking about their wonderful experience of working with Waterford after moving their loved one into our assisted living facility.

If you are interested in more information on our memory care tinley park area community, located in Hazel Crest, contact us here!