Independent Living for Active and Social Seniors: What to Expect at Westerwood
Your independence isn’t just encouraged at Westerwood, it’s celebrated. Residents shape their days to fit their unique lifestyles—whether that means starting a club, exploring hobbies, relaxing in nature or all of the above. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy retirement. It’s all about finding what works best for you, which is exactly what we’re here to help you do.
Led by Kristin Kullberg, director of resident services, our team helps bring residents’ dreams to life while also providing dining, housekeeping, maintenance and on‑site care, when needed. Learn how independent living at Westerwood makes life easier while offering an active and social lifestyle, with personalized support to help you live fully.
Resident-Inspired Living: It’s All About You.
Unlike most retirement communities, Westerwood’s activities aren’t directed by the staff. “All of our activities are run by the residents,” Kristin explains. “It gives them autonomy and independence to really create whatever they want to create. I’m here to help facilitate or boost engagement, but we support what the residents want to do.”
At the heart of our unique community setup is the Resident Association, which includes up to 80 resident-run groups at any given time. The committees and activities are coordinated by different residents, and most of them have co-chairs and volunteers who help organize programs, events and social gatherings.
This resident-led structure ultimately promotes ownership and creativity. “They really drive the ship,” Kristin says. “Residents plan socials, coordinate events and decide what they want their experience to be.” On any given day, you can create a new club or join one, including our:
- Dining Committee. Advises menu selections, shares resident feedback and collaborates with staff to make mealtimes even more enjoyable and social.
- Women’s Club. Hosts monthly programs, teas, games and a variety of social events.
- Arts Program. Provides a resident-driven open studio where artists paint, sculpt and create art throughout the day, with support from the art coordinator.
- Fitness and Wellness Groups. Includes balance and stretching classes, walking groups, yoga, Pilates and so much more, led by our fitness coordinator.
- Landscaping and Gardening Committee. Designs campus plantscapes, suggests landscaping enhancements and manages private gardens where residents grow vegetables, herbs and flowers on their own plots.
- Social Committee. Plans movie nights, seasonal parties and participates in events like “Coffee with the Crew,” a favorite weekly gathering where residents and staff get together to share announcements every Friday.
Staying Connected Is Easier Than Ever
With so much happening, we know how important it is to stay connected. That’s why we’ve created a few easy ways to keep Westerwood right at your fingertips. The Icon app keeps residents connected to everything happening at Westerwood. It includes the full activity calendar, community announcements and a social feed where residents can share general news or resident-club updates. The app is accessible on any phone, tablet or computer, and makes staying in the loop extremely easy with just a few clicks.
In addition to the app, residents receive weekly updates during Friday meetings, where department heads share upcoming events and residents discuss club updates.
We also send out newsletters and use bulletin boards across our campus, so there are countless ways to stay informed and up to date on what’s happening. We prioritize communication to help residents stay aware of what’s happening at Westerwood.
Maintenance-free Living: Goodbye Chores. Hello Freedom.
Independent living at Westerwood means having the freedom to spend your time how you want without worrying about tedious to-do lists. That’s why we help with some of the cooking, cleaning and other chores, so you have more time to enjoy all the things you love.
“Residents don’t have to worry about waiting in doctors’ offices, shoveling snow or calling a handyman,” Kristin says. “We handle everything so they can just enjoy their day.”
We make life a whole lot easier by providing:
- Housekeeping twice a month
- On-site maintenance and repairs
- Chef-prepared meals
- Laundry assistance (self-service or full-service delivery)
- Transportation to medical appointments
- On-site physical and occupational therapy
- In-home visits from trusted primary care providers
Support for Life: Peace of Mind Is the Standard.
We may not know what the future holds, but we do know that whatever it is, we’ll be there for you. For independent living residents who want help with medication management or activities of daily living, such as bathing or dressing, our on-site nurses provide seamless support to bridge the gap between independent living and assisted living.
As a Life Care Community, if health needs change at any time, residents can easily transition to higher levels of care or receive long-term care on our campus.
“Residents can stay in their apartments, living just as they always have, with a little extra help if they need it,” Kristin says. “They don’t have to uproot their lives or start over somewhere new. That continuity brings comfort and peace of mind for both residents and their families.”
Experience Freedom and Friendly Living at Westerwood
The beauty of independent living at Westerwood is that you can map out your own retirement journey. Take Johannah Hall’s story, for example, a Westerwood resident who spends her winters traveling south while returning in the summers, knowing that her home is safe and sound. Her story highlights the flexibility and peace of mind that residents enjoy every day. Plus, you won’t find a friendlier independent living community in Columbus, Ohio.
What truly sets Westerwood apart is the people. “Friendliness is the biggest thing,” Kristin says. “Any community can replicate the amenities, but not the personalities or the welcoming feeling here. We had one resident just recently move in who said that when he got here, it felt like he was late to the family reunion. I don’t know how it happens, but there’s just something special about Westerwood.”
To learn more about our community and how to pursue an active and social retirement lifestyle, feel free to call us at 614-890-8282. We’d be happy to show you around or answer your questions!
