Whether we like it or not, change is a constant in all our lives. The real question is whether we control the choices about change or let it control us. The Regent, a new senior living community, is one choice that opens up lifestyles for seniors instead of closing them off, according to Tim Buchanan, owner of Legend Senior Living, a local business which is building The Regent at 2050 N. Webb Road. “We have a broad-based approach to individualized needs,” said Buchanan. He noted that, because he lives in Wichita, any questions about The Regent can be answered almost immediately without waiting for a “corporate” visit. “This is local ownership with national experience,” he added.Buchanan and his staff have all experienced big changes in their lives, too. Buchanan left a large public health care company he co founded to start Legend Senior Living, which now has 800 units in 14 residences in three states. Marla Lopeman left her position with a large public health care company five years ago to return to Kansas as Legend Senior Living’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jill Ulrich and Megan Wright combine their talents as Marketing Directors for The Regent. Jill Ulrich, also a native of Wichita, graduated from Kansas State University and was the Director of Marketing and Client Services for the 2006 U.S. Senior Open. Megan Wright left her job working for Jack Nicklaus in Florida to work with seniors.
“I love interacting with seniors,” said Wright. “Their stories about why they are moving to The Regent are the stories of why we built The Regent.” Here’s a quick list of reasons why people have decided to move into The Regent, which opens this September:
- “The local ownership is very important to us. The home office is just down the road from the Regent. We actually met Mr. Buchanan when we chose our apartment home.”
- “The Maintenance on our large home is something with we choose not to deal with anymore.”
- “I would rather play bridge than do the dishes.”
- “We want to travel more, and we don’t want to worry about our house while we’re away.”
- “I love people, making new friends and the regent offers so many opportunities to expand my social circle.”
- “It’s all about the views, I see the beautiful sunrise over the water and enjoy the brilliant city lights at night.”
- “The onsite Home Health agency is an added plus. I love knowing healthcare is down the hall and the nurse is always on call.” .”
- “My family worried about me being alone, it concerned me that they were worried. Now both of us have peace of mind.”
- “I never want deal with ice, snow, my down spouts, the weeds, or mowing my lawn again.”
Lifestyle? Is yours going to pick up as a senior or slow down? One way to keep yourself active is to experience life in the proper environment, said Tim Buchanan. “When I started building senior living residences, it began with assisted living , but the company grew naturally to a broader focus on senior living overall. We continue to own and operate assisted living and memory care residences like Park West Plaza in Wichita, which was built when assisted living was a new concept.”
The Regent will offer several lifestyle advantages to either living at home or some of the other senior living offerings in Wichita. The Regent will have 115 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom (2 bath) apartments in 23 different configurations. The Regent’s campus faces Webb Road and includes 3 ponds and walking paths. The building itself is on 6.1 acres and has 116,000 square feet of space, designed to minimize walking distances. The building has three stories with two elevators.
Rent is on a month-to month basis with a one-time community fee (no homeowners dues), according to Buchanan, who grew up in Wichita and attended both East High School and Wichita State University.
Daily meals and linen and housekeeping services are included in the rent. The apartments each offer generous closet space, a walk-in shower, a private veranda, a full kitchen, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, utilities, basic expanded cable television, homeowners insurance, and personal wellness monitoring.
A life enrichment staff will offer fitness, social and cultural activities, as well as educational opportunities on and off The Regent’s campus. Special offers are available for Priority Club members (limited number) who sign up before The Regent is completed including a 24-month rent guarantee. Your house may be too demanding for the lifestyle you want to live. The Regent’s ownership and professional staff can help you plan for the level of activity you desire, not living to serve your home. There’s a certain amount of freedom in that idea.
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Article taken from June-July 2009 East Wichita News
