For Bill Swanson, helping his parents move to an Immanuel retirement living community wasn’t simply about finding a new place for them to live. It was about finding a place where they could feel truly safe, supported, and cared for.
Over the course of 14 years, Bill’s parents, Russ and Joan Swanson, experienced almost every level of care available on the Immanuel Village campus in North Omaha. What could have been a series of stressful moves across town instead became a smooth, steady journey within a community they trusted.
Russ and Joan moved to Immanuel Village in August 2011. Sadly, Russ passed away a few months later. After his death, Joan faced a new chapter in her life, but Bill said knowing she would be surrounded by support at Immanuel Village brought immense comfort.
“There were certain things she didn’t have to worry about anymore,” Bill said. “We felt confident the services she needed were going to be there.”
She remained an independent living resident at the community until her health needs changed, and she required a higher level of care. In the Spring of 2020, she moved to a new apartment at Newport House, an Immanuel long-term care and skilled nursing community located on the Immanuel Village campus.
Bill remembers how consistently the staff communicated with his family. They didn’t just deliver care; they paid close attention. If something changed, the family received a call. If a concern arose, it was handled quickly and thoughtfully.
“Having that level of communication gave us peace of mind,” he said. “We weren’t left guessing.”
The Swanson family also found reassurance in choosing a nonprofit community. Bill recalled an early conversation when someone told him Joan would never be forced to leave the community if her financial situation changed. That simple promise reflected what he had already begun to see: at Immanuel, people come before profit. The goal wasn’t to fill rooms; it was to provide lifelong care.
There were difficult moments, too, especially during COVID. Moving Joan from independent living at Immanuel Village into long-term care at Newport House required extra patience, coordination, and compassion. Even in those challenging circumstances, Bill felt the staff’s commitment.
“It wasn’t perfect, nothing was during that time, but the way they worked with us told me my mom was in the right place,” he said.
Joan lived to be 101. She was known for her kindness, warmth, and gentle spirit; qualities staff members honored every day. They cared for her medical needs, of course, but they also valued her personality and her dignity. They saw her.
Looking back, Bill has simple guidance for other adult children facing similar decisions: start the conversations sooner than you think. Don’t avoid the hard topics. Planning ahead doesn’t just create choices; it builds confidence.
For Bill and his family, Immanuel became far more than a senior living community. It became a partner; one that walked with them through loss, transition, and, ultimately, peace of mind.