Reviews of Providence Place at Ingleside

Sally Mathieu has known about Providence Place’s excellent reputation for a long time. “I am a native Holyoker,” she says. “And I never heard a bad word about Providence Place.”

Widowed last March, Sally initially thought she would be fine living alone in her former apartment. She had friends in the building and was a regular volunteer at the Holyoke Senior Center. Still, she felt lonely. “It was a different climate there,” she explained, “because most of the people work and I felt pretty isolated. I’m a social butterfly! I knew about the wonderful comradery at Providence Place and that is why I always knew I would come here.”

And furthermore, she knew just who to call—Laurie Hoey, Marketing Director at Providence Place. “I have known Laurie since she was a little girl. Laurie’s mom and I are longtime friends—we went to school together,” Sally said. “Laurie is the perfect front-line person to talk to when you consider a place like this. She is thorough and thoughtful and always gets back to you.”

“From the day I got here,” she added, “everything was done right. The maintenance crew had everything all set up before I moved in. Where else can you find that?”

A retired nurse, Sally has always been active and she plans to remain that way. “When I retired it was like, ‘Okay, what do I do now?’” So, in addition to taking care of her mother during the end stages of a medical issue, Sally began to volunteer administering flu shots. She also taught billiards, for women, gave tours, and worked the front desk on Fridays at the Holyoke Senior Center. She loved it all. “People would come into the Center lonely,” she noted, adding that they might even live with family but were oftentimes alone during the day while others worked. She was drawn to Providence Place for the spirit of companionship and friendship.

Sally’s two daughters are happy knowing she is thriving in her new home. “Plus,” Sally added, “the idea of having my meals prepared for me—not having to go to the grocery store, having everything all-inclusive is very appealing.” Continuing, she said, “Everyone is wonderful and so nice here! When you first come, you are assigned a Resident host, and they check on you every day. If you have any issue, the host knows who to call. You are never alone.”

As a widow Doris Latulippe spent five years living alone in the house she and her husband once shared. Looking back, she says, that while her daughter and son-in-law were generous in helping her keep her home up to snuff, it simply got to be “too much.” It was time for her to “move on.”

Relatively new to living at Providence Place, Doris says she has found the other residents “very friendly, and the staff as well.”

Explaining, “Everyone helps each other out.” And, as far as the amenities go—“There are beautiful tablecloths and real flowers in the dining room, and beautiful gardens. No matter what goes wrong, they are there for you. The chapel you can’t help but love” and “there are so many activities” you need to use your own discretion as to what to take part in. “Even though you get to see the program calendar before you move in here,” she added, “it is not until you live here that you appreciate how many activities there truly are. Then there is the fact that, the washing machines are free, not coin operated. And you can’t beat the security.”

Though her apartment has a full kitchen, she does “very little cooking now. I love the fish here, especially the salmon. If on occasion there is something on the daily menu I don’t feel like having there are always enough other menu choices to choose from. I have no complaints at all.”

She closed with, “It was a big move but only took me about a week living here to break loose and begin enjoying it. Not sorry I made the move. We are all treated well, with respect, so it’s very nice. I just love it, love it, love it.”

Providence Place has a homelike feeling.

Moving isn’t always easy, however, the staff willingly lifts that burden from your shoulders.

Unlike some who have lived in the area for most of their life, I was a newcomer to this part of Massachusetts. The sweet and kindhearted employees are here to walk you through the steps of getting acclimated and help you feel a part of this wonderful community.

I now cherish the friends I have made and hope to meet more.

If you are one who likes your privacy, that opportunity is here as well. We have lots of activities—both indoors and out—and magnificent grounds for those who are walkers like me. It’s all here for you to enjoy. Wait ‘till you see our flower gardens bursting forth in the spring and summer!

What sets Providence Place apart from other similar facilities is its personal touch.

Two years ago, I left my home in New Mexico for my new home at Providence Place.

What I found far surpassed my expectations – beautiful grounds, lovely living space, great food, and caring competent staff.

My days are now full of a wide range of choices that includes exercise, yoga, painting, educational presentations and plain old fashioned games.

The thing, however, that I was not anticipating was the level of friendship offered to me by my new community of fellow residents. Transitions are difficult, but frequently prove well worth the challenges.