Smith Crossing residents to tout the value of a CCRC on Thursday, Oct. 17

CHICAGO - Oct. 9, 2013 - PRLog -- Smith Crossing, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) at 10501 Emilie Lane in Orland Park, serves as home to close to 300 retirees. Among them are former engineers, entrepreneurs and business executives like Tony Sorrentino and Tom Ryan. Both men applied decision-making strategies honed during their long and successful careers to deciding if they should move to Smith Crossing.

They will share their reasoning in a Lunch and Learn presentation titled, “Surround Yourself with Success,” to take place at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, in at Smith Crossing.

“Tony and Tom are very typical of retirees who decide to move to Smith Crossing. Both are long-range planners—very discerning and very practical—and they know value when they see it,” says Bonnie Cummings, director of sales.

“I was considering four other retirement communities in Chicago’s south region. I reviewed Smith Crossing and the others, just as an engineer would review proposals, by performing a quotation analysis,” says Sorrentino, who enjoyed a 50-year career as an engineering consultant for large corporations throughout the world. “For a quotation analysis, you give each bidder a score as to how they rate. For me, the rating came up the best for Smith Crossing.”

Sorrentino, who recently moved from Frankfort with his wife, Marilyn, was instrumental in designing buildings that supported the chemical milling of titanium for the development of the Super Sonic Transport airplanes.

Ryan, who also moved to Smith Crossing from Frankfort a year ago with his wife, Rosemary, enjoyed a 35-year career with State Farm Insurance, where he eventually served in middle management overseeing the work of hundreds of agents in Illinois.

Ryan evaluated Smith Crossing in terms of managing a budget, comparing the expense of his lifestyle as a homeowner to that of his life as a Smith Crossing resident. He says he weighed property taxes and homeowners insurance, upkeep and utilities for his large home—which required two furnaces to heat—against the monthly fees for Smith Crossing.

Ryan also considered that while he had retired, his wife, who had raised their five children, still didn’t have such a carefree lifestyle. She still shouldered the burden of preparing meals; so for her, participating in a plan with meals prepared by an executive chef offered a special appeal. In addition, the couple considered the added security, activities and supportive lifestyle settings. “When you add up all those expenses and considerations, Smith Crossing emerges as quite a bargain,” Ryan says.

To make reservations to attend the “Surround Yourself with Success” Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Oct.17, call 708-326-2300.

About Smith Crossing

Smith Crossing recently opened the final phase of a $37 million expansion to increase its capacity by nearly 60 percent. It is one of only 13 CCRCs in Illinois awarded a five-year term of accreditation for “exemplary conformance” to international standards set by CARF-CCAC, the industry’s sole accrediting body.

Sponsored by Smith Senior Living, a not-for-profit organization serving older adults since 1924, Smith Crossing provides spacious residences and engaging programs for independent living, as well as assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care. Smith Crossing also provides short-term rehabilitation services for residents and others requiring assistance after surgery or a medical incident.

For more information about Smith Crossing, call 708-326-2300or visit SmithCrossing.org.


CONTACT

Sheila King Public Relations, 773-239-2220, smithseniorliving@skpr.net

Peg Rafferty, 773-238-2935, pegrafferty@skpr.net