Caroline Jacobs: Championing Senior Living at The Commons

A Long-Term Insurance Policy

Caroline Jacobs moved to The Commons in 2010, becoming one of the community’s original residents. Previously, she lived in Lexington, Mass., for 30 years with her late husband Norman, who passed away in 2012. Without family nearby, Caroline chose The Commons to ensure she would have support as her needs change with age.

“You don’t have to think about the daily things like roof repairs, appliances breaking down or keeping the garden in shape.  It’s wonderful not to have to worry about that,” she said. “For me, this is my long-term insurance.”

Time to Explore New Hobbies

Living maintenance-free at The Commons has given Caroline the freedom to pursue new hobbies and adventures. She has written 77 memoirs and now enjoys art, reading and traveling with friends and fellow residents. Together, they’ve embarked on cruises to the coast of Maine, the Hudson River and the Pacific Northwest.

“Many of us are on our own, so it’s nice to have someone looking out for you. We support each other and really enjoy traveling together,” she said.

Recently, Caroline spent three weeks traveling in the UK, visiting friends and family. “I had a wonderful journey, but I was so grateful to come home—there’s nothing quite like it. Being greeted by fellow residents and friends was heartwarming; it’s good to be missed,” Caroline shared.

Making Fascinating New Friends

Over the past 14 years, Caroline has become deeply involved in the Lincoln community, finding a strong sense of belonging. She’s joined a local church and made many new friends while enjoying the freedom to explore and connect with others.

“We have wonderful people here. I’ve met so many interesting individuals with fascinating backgrounds,” she shared.

Enhancing the Retirement Experience at The Commons

As Vice President for Membership on the Massachusetts Life Care Residents’ Association (MLCRA) board, Caroline connects with representatives from other continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the state.

In her time with the MLCRA, Caroline has learned about policies and practices at other CCRCs and has gained a valuable bird’s eye view of how well The Commons stacks up to other Lifecare communities.

“I build relationships with representatives from each community,” said Caroline. Her work helps ensure The Commons remains a leader in delivering top-tier senior living experiences.

The Commons Comes Out on Top

Caroline’s representation on the MLCRA board has driven significant improvements at The Commons. “It’s fascinating to see how other communities handle challenges like dining experiences, communications and staffing shortages,” she noted. “The diverse strategies we’ve observed have provided valuable insights that we’re now using to refine our own practices at The Commons.”

One major improvement is the introduction of a web-based resident portal, inspired by successful systems in other communities. This portal has streamlined communication and made important information easily accessible to all residents.

Additionally, over the past few years, The Commons has navigated the industry-wide labor shortages with impressive adaptability, ensuring our services remain top-notch even during challenging times. These insights have truly enhanced our ability to serve our community better.

Continued Improvements

Through her work with MLCRA, Caroline has discovered innovative ways to enhance community communication, particularly by sharing best practices and exploring solutions through technology. She regularly shares these insights with The Commons’ leadership team, helping drive continuous improvements. “Learning about other communities and sharing processes, solutions and ideas provides valuable perspective, helping us continue to improve services like dining here at The Commons,” she said.

Caroline and her MLCRA colleagues are also leading efforts to advocate for state legislation benefiting seniors in CCRCs. Their work includes promoting bills on full disclosure of refund policies at CCRCs, common-sense health services in Assisted Living and a proposal to establish a commission to study CCRC regulations.

“Our policies at The Commons are clear and effective, but that’s not always the case elsewhere. By sharing best practices and advocating for these important bills, we’re helping other communities while ensuring continued improvements here at The Commons,” she said.