Richard (Dick) and Nancy Floch built a life they loved on 180 acres near Hartstown, PA. A place filled with hunting, hard work, and independence. While Nancy spent her 34-year career as a Registered Nurse at Greenville Hospital, her heart was always on the farm.
“I’m a country girl,” Nancy says. “I loved being outdoors, riding my four-wheeler, and being independent.”
That independence began to change as Dick’s Parkinson’s disease and dementia progressed. After a few close calls, including a fall and a potentially frightening lawn mower accident, Nancy knew it was time to prioritize safety, especially with another Northwest Pennsylvania winter approaching.
Drawing on her experience as a nurse, Nancy was familiar with local care communities and had a strong sense of what quality care looked like. So, when she toured Wesbury’s Thoburn Village, she came prepared.
There was a Garden Apartment available for them to move into immediately, with hopes of an internal move to a villa.
“I was so happy there was something available,” she says. “We had to downsize from a nine-bedroom house, but we made it work and filled it with things that reminded us of home.”
As Dick’s needs increased, so did the level of support he required day to day. “I always thought I was strong,” she says, “but caring for Dick 24/7 was more than I could manage. Thank goodness Wesbury was here for me.” With the help of Wesbury at Home, Nancy was able to continue caring for him until he moved to Grace Rehabilitation and Health Center, where he passed away after a few months.
In the midst of loss, Nancy made two decisions that helped her move forward, she relocated from her apartment to a villa in Thoburn Village and adopted a cat, Mia, from the Erie Humane Society for companionship.
For a time, life felt settled again. But after a successful knee surgery that turned into other unexpected medical complications, Nancy faced another setback that required a stay at Grace for Physical Therapy.
“I really thought about giving up,” she admits. “But I didn’t, and I have Bill from Physical Therapy at Grace to thank. He encouraged me, pushed me, and helped me get my strength back.”
That strength carried her to her next move to Cribbs Residential Center.
Though she’s experienced nearly every level of care Wesbury offers, Nancy sees it not as a series of moves but as a system of support that met her exactly where she was, each step of the way. Her biggest concern about the transition? Whether Mia could come too.
“She could—and that meant everything to me.”
Today, Nancy is settling into life at Cribbs with optimism. After everything she’s been through, she’s ready to live stress free while staying connected to the life she loves.
In many ways, she says, this move has given her independence back. She still drives, plans visits with friends in Hartstown, and is getting to know her neighbors.
“It feels like the right place for me,” she says.
Nancy’s journey is a powerful reminder that independence doesn’t have to be lost, it can evolve with the right support, guidance, and community by your side. If you or someone you love is facing similar decisions, take the first step toward peace of mind and a plan that meets you where you are.