What started out as using an organization called Bridge to Better Living has ended up with me calling these ladies friends. My journey started over three years ago when I decided to consider moving to an independent living facility. After visiting several of the communities here in Lincoln, I selected The Landing, put my name on their list and waited for a call. Bridge to Better Living never just left it at that, I received phone calls, cards and invitations to functions. They always were there along with The Landing's communications. I never felt forgotten!! Now that I've moved in, I want to express my gratitude to Mary Ann, Kristine and the Team for all they did to help with the entire process. If you are looking for yourself or a loved one do not hesitate to call them, you won't be disappointed. Pam R. read more

My husband and I wanted to find a senior independent living community where we could age comfortably, with access to assisted living, memory care, long-term care, and hospice if needed. We'd heard that many desirable communities have long waitlists and were advised to start looking one to two years in advance. But where do you begin? We were fortunate to discover Bridge to Better Living, a senior transition consulting service serving the Lincoln and Omaha areas. Bridge to Better Living doesn't charge clients; instead, they're compensated by the senior retirement community if a placement occurs. Importantly, they don't "sell" you on any location--they listen. Bridge to Better Living took the time to understand our social, physical, medical, and financial needs, then recommended senior living communities that aligned with our goals. We chose which ones to visit, and our consultant arranged tours at times that worked for us--accompanying us every step of the way. We toured four communities and narrowed it down to two. When we struggled to decide, our consultant suggested we share a meal with a couple living at each location to get more of a sense of daily life. She arranged those visits , too--again, with no pressure, just support. Thanks to Bridge to Better Living, we made a confident, informed decision and couldn't be happier. If you or a loved one are considering moving to a senior living facility, meeting with Bridge to Better Living is a must. Their team is compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly invested in helping you find the right fit. Along the way, we met so many wonderful staff. The person that we saw most often was Jodi who arranged and accompanied us on most of our visits. She was responsive, insightful, and always just a quick text away. We also learned that some younger senior citizens choose a senior living community over downsizing to a smaller home. The financial comparison can be eye-opening--and Bridge to Better Living can help you evaluate those costs (i.e. no more home insurance, HOA fees, taxes associated with your home, utilities, trash removal, housekeeping services, etc.) read more

November 18, 2024 We would like to share a few issues we encountered when our parents lived at the Grand Lodge. Hopefully our experience, and what we learned, helps other families make informed decisions. Our parents selected the Grand Lodge so they could live independently with the option of moving to assisted care when one of them needed higher attention. However, when it came time for Dad, and then 7 years later Mom, to access assisted care we learned both times it wasn't an option for either one. They wouldn't accept Dad into assisted care because of his physical limitations and wouldn't accept Mom due to her cognitive abilities. Honestly, even if either Dad or Mom met the "eligibility" requirements, the wait list for a room in assisted care was so long they would not have moved anyway. Mom developed symptoms of Dementia late last year, so we moved her to a memory care facility in April 2024. We waited 7 months for the Grand Lodge to sell her apartment, remodel it, and close with the new buyers before we received her buy-in refund. This entire process took way too long due to lack of motivation to sell her apartment and inaccurate/sporadic communication from the Grand Lodge Executive Director. There was also a breach of confidentiality from Grand Lodge staff. Apparently, several staff discussed memory issues Mom was displaying yet no one bothered to contact us. We were confronted by one staff member who said he heard we moved Mom to a physically and verbally abusive facility and wanted to know why we did that to her. He went on to say he shared his concerns with several other Grand Lodge residents about our "poor decision". Deciding to move Mom was a difficult and heart-wrenching choice made after a great deal of thought and investigation. It was vital our Mom receive elevated care in a safe facility - we love our Mom and not move her to a sub-par memory care center. Based on our experience, here are three pieces of advice for anyone looking for independent/assisted care facilities: 1. Connect with Bridge to Better Living. A free service provided for families in this situation, they help you review finances, living arrangements, and medical status to find a facility matching your family's needs. Bridge to Better Living have a great staff, and they made locating a memory care center for Mom much easier. 2. Before you select an independent/assisted care facility ask what the ratio is between assisted care rooms vs. number of independent apartments. Also find out how long the wait list is. Depending on the physical/cognitive state of your family member, ask what the odds are they will be able to move to assisted care before they need skilled nursing. 3. Have a clear understanding of the eligibility requirements to be admitted to assisted care. Ask if there is a cognitive test or a physical assessment conducted prior to being placed in assisted care. Receive written information regarding level of care restrictions for the care they provide. Depending on the state licensure level, some assisted care facilities cannot dispense medication; help residents transfer on/off toilet or in/out of bed; or help if they fall and are unable to get up. When our parents first moved to the Grand Lodge, they thrived in the senior living environment with a supportive friend network, numerous social opportunities, and several senior living amenities. After Dad passed away, it was comforting to know Mom would have company eating her evening meal in the community dining room and friends to visit within the facility. All in all, the Grand Lodge provided a good senior living experience. We just wanted to share our experience and things to consider when selecting a senior living community. read more

Bridge to Better Living in Lincoln was a life saver for me when looking for a memory care facility in Lincoln for my husband. Kristine Schoening was so patient with me when I was resistant to learning more about what was available. I was resistant because I didn't think I could afford memory care and I knew my husband also needed assistance with daily living activities as well. Kristine's patience and personal care opened up my ears and my mind and I listened and found that there were options in Lincoln for affordable assisted memory care facilities for my husband. Kristine's knowledge and years of experience of working with families is what bridged the gap that I was creating in my mind. Kristine was amazing and she knew what could be a good fit for my husband. And we found one. Kristine set up our tour appointments and accompanied us to those appointments. She went the extra mile in helping us find our way in a new way of life. Bridge to Better Living is an awesome agency to help you find your way in a new way of life for you and your loved ones. Give Kristine a call at Bridge to Better Living in Lincoln. read more

Mary Ann and Team are amazing! They are so up to date on all the local communities, they know all the directors and nurses, they meet with you and your loved one to review your needs and match you with ONLY those that are a fit for your loved one. BUT it doesn't stop there...they also set up the appointments to tour/visit and meet you there. They know all the questions to ask and stick with you until you find the right fit. We found the perfect fit for my in laws who moved in and 3 weeks later my father in law passed away. Mary Ann helped us a second time to find the perfect memory care facility (accepting new residents during the Covid pandemic) for my mother in law. I would recommend them to anyone who needs help to navigate senior living, I can't imagine going through this time without her and her team. Can't send enough thanks....! Thanks for everything you've done for us, The Lippincotts read more

Bridge to Better Living offers an invaluable, helpful & time saving service, putting your mind at ease, and helping you and your parents through a very, very stressful, trying, emotional important stage and time of life, which usually is and very hard on everyone. They make it fun and exciting & a lot easier instead. They are the best! Good with all ages - dealing well with the family members AND also the aging person or couple, sympathizing with the sensitive and unique personalities and differing views on what each feels is best. They ask the important questions for you-while you cant help but - look at décor, think of personal items fitting, picturing yourself spending your days here, does the food look good, are the other residents friendly, would I fit in? Margaret Burnham really got to know our needs and constantly implemented those ideas into finding and helping decide which choices were better for our family now, in the near future and down the road. In my parent's situation, we had to switch gears many times in a short amount of time due to health issues that happened quickly... actually moving them completely in to an independent facility and back out, trying to qualify for assisted living and having deposits at one, then another and then finally into a memory care facitiity-all within a 4 month period of time when my mom had a stroke & dad developed some issues, in the middle...Margaret came to the rescue and really saved us when we really had nowhere else to turn, totally putting our trust into her hands to come up with a solution where both mom & dad could be together, needing different levels of care. She did it and helped us figure out EVERY aspect of their future, based on their financials and needs of care. She also heped connect us to more outside help to aid them. She figures out the qualifying places to tour for you, sets them up and accompanies you all to each - saving so much time, research and lack of knowledge & possibilities - all with ease to make everything work out. She has connections with EVERY facility in the area and knows so much about them all before even setting foot in the building. Scoping out the availability and possible options at all times is invaluable information and such a time saver & stress reliever. I have had many friends in the same boat since, trying to figure out with their one or 2 parents or other family members or friends, where to spend their golden years and how to go through the process. They saw how much easier it was, than it could have been, for me and my family, and jump at the chance to work with Margaret and Bridge to Better Living for free and to free their minds! I truly really don't know what I would have done without them & am thankful everyday for their existence and guidance. read more

I don't even know how to express how AMAZING our experience was working with Kristine at Bridge to Better Living. We had no idea we would be looking for assisted living/skilled nursing facilities for my mother at this stage in her life. We had no idea what her financial situation was or how the process even works when planning for people in her situation. We were overwhelmed, emotional and filled with uncertainty about my mothers future and how to get her into a safe living environment where she would be cared for and how she would pay for it. Kristine immediately took us under her wing and guided us through the whole process. She took time to learn about my mother and her life and her needs. She patiently explained the different living communities, the financial aspects when it comes to planning this stage in life, and arranged all the tours keeping my mom and her life and needs in mind. We felt during every step that Kristine truly cared about us and our mom and she did everything possible to provide us with all the best options to make sure we found a place where we felt comfortable with our mom living for the rest of her life. I would highly recommend Bridge to Better Living for anyone looking for assisted living or skilled nursing facilities for themselves or their loved ones. We also learned it is never too early to start planning and thinking about this stage to find the best option available. THANK YOU SO MUCH KRISTINE & BBL!!! read more