The senior living campus at Otterbein Lebanon is a bustling hub of activity, where residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle within a lively community. Each day brings new learning opportunities, social interactions with friends, and the chance to fully embrace life’s joys. Our residents’ individual passions and unique interests truly make us stand out.
As part of our “Meet the Resident” series, we are excited to introduce some of the vibrant seniors who proudly call Otterbein home.
Get to Know Otterbein Lebanon Residents Dave & Cathy D.
Q: Can you share a brief background about your life before moving to Otterbein?
We met in fourth grade and got married out of college. Dave was in the army for a couple of years and later earned his doctorate. I was a stay-at-home mother for our two children. Dave worked at the University of Pittsburgh for 22 years as the Academic Vice President. He eventually left and became the President of Shepherd University in West Virginia, and we lived there for 11 years.
I started an accounting business and also worked for a group of doctors doing research for them. Later, I became a reading specialist in Washington County Schools.
When we finally decided to retire, Dave was more anxious than I was. We initially retired in the Villages in Florida, which is HUGE! We built a house there and stayed for 16 years. As our children started to get older, we decided we should move closer to family, so we moved close to our son who lives in Cincinnati. Our daughter lives in Minnesota, and we have three grandchildren.
Q: When searching for a community, how did you decide on Otterbein? What set it apart from other communities?
We looked at eight different continuing care retirement communities. Most were in Florida, but we visited two communities in Ohio. Otterbein Lebanon has an awesome programming group and art department. There is lots to do! We believe the community hits the sweet spot for value.
One of the biggest advantages for us was knowing we weren’t required to eat in the restaurant here. We still enjoy cooking on our own, but we have tried the food here and really love it, too!
We also appreciate our spacious backyard and the fact that we can walk to the park next door. We are close to Cincinnati and Dayton so we can still go to the city and explore like we were in our 20s again.
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Q: Can you continue doing things you enjoyed before moving to Otterbein?
Yes, I enjoy playing my ukulele and doing Tai Chi. Dave plays pickleball and billiards. He also co-hosts the Otterbein TV show and talks about sports every Monday. Together, we play bridge and are big-time walkers.
At the beginning of the summer, we went to Scotland with seven of our family members. We’re heading south in October to attend a storytelling festival called the Old North State Storytelling Festival in North Carolina.
Q: Have you tried new activities for the first time since moving to Otterbein? What bold adventures have you enjoyed so far?
Yes, I participate in social committees, including the welcome group, social concerns, two sewing groups for charities, and a ukulele group. Dave is in the chess club and enjoys his bold adventures, including zip-lining and racing cars. Additionally, we’re looking forward to being part of the Otterbein Olympics.
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Q: How would you describe your quality of life and overall well-being now that you’re residents of Otterbein? Has it changed since you moved here?
We are in excellent health, and our quality of life is also excellent. We appreciate knowing there are back-up transitional care services if we need them. It’s a safety net for us, and it will remove some of the burden on our kids as we age.
Q: Was it easy to make friends at Otterbein?
The people are so nice. You see the same people throughout campus so you are able to form friendships. People all get along and aren’t allowed to share politics which helps foster an inclusive environment.
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Q: What advice would you give others trying to decide whether a community like Otterbein is right for them?
We hear all the time that “We didn’t come early enough.” We think that is the case because we would have enjoyed more of the lifestyle. It’s not too soon to get here when you’re in your 70s or even earlier. You get to meet a lot of people and have friends. Plus, you can leave most of your furniture behind!
Discover Life at Otterbein Lebanon
Are you ready to explore life at Otterbein Lebanon? View our website for information about services, amenities, floor plans, and more. You can also watch video testimonials from other residents like Dave and Cathy.
