For most residents of The Pearl at Boulder Creek, what makes the luxury senior living community feel like home is not the airy rooms, beautiful gathering spaces, bustling activity schedule, free access to concerts at the University of Colorado or even the beloved on-campus restaurant. “All of these are good, but the thing that genuinely makes this place special is the residents. Our people are the heart and soul of this place,” said Christian Shahmardian, senior living advisor at The Pearl.
In fact, Shahmardian is so certain that the residents of The Pearl are the community’s best asset that he urges those who are considering a move to “come and hang out,” he said. “Come for a happy hour or concert and be with our people.”
For Beverly Shaw, now head of The Pearl’s resident welcoming committee, a visit to see the place, and the people, convinced her that The Pearl could be her “forever home.” A retired theater critic for The Daily Camera and, later, public relations director for Boulder Community Hospital, she began looking into senior living options with her grown children after a couple of close falls. She recalled, “When we came upon The Pearl, our decision was made. I knew it was a huge change, but The Pearl made it easy.”
As a longtime CU Buffs fan, Shaw was excited to move into an apartment that is oriented toward Folsom Field. “On gameday, I sit out there wearing all my CU duds and wave flags and pennants and holler down to the people walking to the football game,” she said. Sometimes passersby join her in song or go out of their way to say hello.
Soon after her move, Shaw stopped by various clubs at The Pearl. She joined a playreaders group, in honor of her love of theater, as well as the bridge club. “They made me more than welcome,” she said. “Part of feeling at home is being involved.”
That’s also why she jumped at the opportunity to serve on The Pearl’s newly formed welcoming committee. The team is among the first to meet new residents and help them find their way around the community. At a recent welcome gathering at the community restaurant, “some of the new residents shared a little about themselves, and the conversation took off, with everyone laughing and having such a good time,” Shaw said. “It helps that we’re all in a similar season or time of our lives.”
She continued, “We share so much. Sure, we all have aches and pains, but even more, we have similar interests. That makes for good companions.”
Pearl resident Roy Craig, also a member of the welcoming committee, said making friends at The Pearl is natural because “there are so many interesting and fascinating people here.” Craig channels his years at McGraw Hill educational publishing company, where he built working relationships with professors and leading thinkers, into putting new residents at ease. “A new life and a new home are two big events, a new adventure, but they take time,” he said.
Craig and his wife toured The Pearl several years ago. “As we continued to visit about a dozen places, we compared everything to (The Pearl),” he said. “It set a high standard, so when we had to chance to come here, it was no trouble whatsoever to make the decision.” A staff member sent him a funny pair of golf socks as a welcoming gift. “That’s what you get here – people who take the extra steps to care,” he said.
Like Shaw, Craig encourages residents to find their niche, whether that’s in one of the many art, gaming or walking clubs or a book or discussion group. Craig enjoys keeping healthy in the fitness center and making the most of the CU events within walking distance. He and “and a crowd of regulars” take in a free show most weeks, and during baseball season, he said, “It’s easy to get up to the ballpark to see really talented kids play.”
Craig emphasized, “The best thing you can do when you’re a senior is to do things that challenge you. We’re creating a new life here.”
Shaw and Craig appreciate how simple it is to get around “the outside community around our inside community,” Craig said. Walking paths connect to the university as well as Pearl Street (the namesake of the community), and drivers are happy to shuttle residents to nearby shops and appointments.
“It is the staff too who make The Pearl a special place,” said Shaw. “They are remarkable. The drivers are lovely and safe, the servers in the restaurants are willing to fulfill any wishes and the people at the front desk are always there for us.”
The Pearl at Boulder Creek is part of the Dial Senior Living family and offers independent and assisted senior living apartments in a high-end, resort-like setting. Amenities include a 24/7 fitness center and saltwater pool, chef-led restaurant, art hub, library and theater, as well as the convenient location.
To schedule a tour or learn more, visit dialseniorliving.com and look for The Pearl under “find a community” or call 720.565.6844.
