At Carroll Lutheran Village, resident Cindy Hirshberg doesn’t just talk about retirement—she lives it. A travel enthusiast with a passion for history, Hirshberg is an example of why it’s better to move to a Life Plan Community, also known as a continuing care retirement community, sooner than later.
Hirshberg and her husband moved to CLV in their 60s, a decision driven by supporting their lifestyle rather than a health care crisis.
One day, while traveling, their home dehumidifier malfunctioned. A neighbor tried to help but had some difficulty, resulting in water being spilled on their carpet. The minor incident made them realize that depending on neighbors to handle unexpected maintenance issues wasn’t fair to their neighbors or sustainable for them.
That incident prompted them to consider options that would best support their newly retired lifestyle. They found their solution at CLV.
Travel Without Worry
That choice opened the door to a lifestyle they had always envisioned. With home maintenance, security and daily responsibilities taken care of by the community, Hirshberg and her husband gained something invaluable: peace of mind. Checking appliances, handling unexpected maintenance issues, collecting mail and packages, coordinating repairs and ensuring their home was safe and secure were no longer theirs to manage while away.
Travel no longer included a checklist of concerns about what might go wrong at home. Instead, they could travel as long as they wanted, including extended stays to volunteer in Montana.
A Community That Inspires Growth
Life at CLV also brought unexpected discoveries.
Hirshberg found herself immersed in a vibrant, welcoming community where neighbors quickly became
friends. “The transition was surprisingly easy—more like starting a new chapter than closing one,” stated Hirshberg.
She also uncovered a hidden talent for art. Hirshberg explored drawing, watercolor and pastels from classes at CLV and in the local community, while finding joy in creative expression.
Beyond the arts, CLV residents have countless opportunities to continue learning and growing, whether through Lifelong Learning classes, trying a new fitness option like pickleball or giving back by volunteering with Open Hands, Open Hearts, a resident-led ministry focused on worshipping through serving others.
It’s a reminder that moving earlier doesn’t limit possibilities; it creates space for new ones.
Planning Ahead Means Living on Your Terms
Life doesn’t wait for the right time—health changes and unexpected challenges can happen at any age. Planning ensures your future is shaped by your choices, not your circumstances.
Hirshberg and her husband took time to explore their options, compare communities and choose the one that best aligned with their lifestyle, priorities and connections. Staying close to friends while gaining support and convenience made CLV the clear choice.
Waiting too long can narrow those options and delay living and enjoying the lifestyle that a Life Plan Community offers (i.e., all the amenities and services).
If you don’t plan ahead, you risk leaving the responsibility of finding a community to your family during what could be an emotional time. They will do the best to find an ideal place, but they may not choose the place you would have selected for yourself.
Moving early keeps your options open so you can choose a community that meets your preferences and priorities and feels right.
Noticing the Signposts
Hirshberg encourages others to pay attention to their own signposts—real-life moments or patterns that signal it may be time to start thinking about a lifestyle change, specifically, moving to a Life Plan Community.
Common signposts might include:
- Home maintenance becomes more of a burden
- Travel feels complicated or stressful
- Needing to hire help for routine tasks (e.g., mowing, snow removal)
- Feeling less comfortable driving at night or in certain conditions
These aren’t reasons to worry; they’re signs that are signaling it’s time to plan.
Live More. Starting Now.
Moving to a Life Plan Community is about spending more time doing the things you enjoy with friends and neighbors who bring you joy and feeling confident with whatever life presents.
For Hirshberg, that meant more travel, new passions and a lifestyle defined by possibility.
Learn more about Hirshberg from her WTTR radio interview at bit.ly/Hirshberg.
Every CLV resident has a unique story. Together those stories create a vibrant, welcoming community full of connection, purpose and peace of mind. Discover their stories at clvillage.org/resident-stories.
