Independent Living at Aston Gardens: What a 9-Year Resident Wants You to Know

Have you ever thought about living in a senior community, one where you can enjoy the golden years in a lovely apartment or villa, experience the tranquil scenery and ample amenities, visit with friendly neighbors and relax in comfortable, safe surroundings?

Sometimes the tasks of maintaining a home, or the lack of social interaction can be challenging. If you want to live a maintenance free lifestyle in a resort-like environment that is secure, convenient, and full of social activities all within a nature-rich landscape, long-term resident Mr. Johnson encourages you to check out Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay. Johnson is thrilled that he and his wife made the decision to move to Aston Gardens’ Independent Living community 9 years ago, and today says it’s the best-kept secret on earth.

Aston Gardens’ Independent Living Features Include:
1. No maintenance
2. No more snow shoveling
3. No more yard work
4. Fine dining and chef-prepared meals
5. Convenience to shopping, the arts, sporting events, restaurants, pharmacies, medical care and much more
6. Safety and security of a gated community
7. Ongoing activities and events
8. Friendly staff and fantastic neighbors
9. Fabulous, resort-quality amenities

We recently asked Mr. Johnson to tell us what he loves most about the community, as well as how Aston Gardens and its dedicated team members are keeping residents happy and safe in these unprecedented times.

Mr. Johnson:
Throughout these unusual times with COVID-19, the staff has been effective at communicating and answering residents’ questions and concerns. They’ve implemented various publications as well, such as weekly newsletters for the residents of our community.

Of course, we’re more limited as to what we can do, and at the beginning stages of COVID, they made many provisions to accommodate us. Now that we are in phase 2, we have more flexibility.

For example, I’m involved in a men’s roundtable. The meeting was stopped, but recently they made special arrangements for us to meet in a larger room, which allows us more space and social distancing, and we’re all encouraged to wear a mask and practice good hygiene.

As far as outdoor activities, our grilling area, pool, hot tubs, and outdoor spaces are available and subject to our social distancing protocols. However, we still are able to enjoy time with friends, fellow residents and staff.

Initially, when COVID just started, the security guard at the gate entrance was monitoring and identifying essential workers and vendors. They were taking temperatures and only allowing specific people on the property with great caution and care.

If a resident wanted something like carpeting replaced, that was put on hold. Now we can safely have more things done, but it’s all still accomplished under great care and consideration. There is always someone on duty to check the temperatures of residents, staff and vendors before they are allowed access to the grounds.

Our chef, Antoine, is an amazing culinary expert. We usually have beautiful sit-down meals in the dining room, but even through these strange times, we are still able to enjoy the chef-prepared meals, only in the comfort of our apartments. In saying that, the kitchen staff will make special changes or requests for residents, and everything is maintained at the highest level here.

As a safety precaution, some residents have been quarantined to their apartments or villas during COVID if they traveled, and the staff caters to them by leaving food and supplies at their doorstep and checking in on them for the two weeks that they must stay in their homes. The staff and management are always available, and they go above and beyond what’s expected.

Just like around the world, things here have been restrictive, but the staff has done a great job keeping us safe.

H&W Magazine:
What attracted you to Aston Gardens?

Mr. Johnson:
Nine years ago, we fell in love with the floor plan of the apartment. Ours is three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a garage. We also have a lanai on the back overlooking the preserve and one on the front overlooking the lake.

The shared facilities like the clubhouse, gazebos, lakefront, etc., make it more like a resort-style campus. The staff, administration and management are wonderful and very service-oriented. They couldn’t do a better job of taking care of everything we need. I think most people who decide to live in an independent senior community have better things to do with their time than maintain a house and yard. We now have the freedom to do what we love!

Aston Gardens reinvests in the community with upkeep, remodeling and maintaining various amenities. There is a running joke among residents that when you put a work order in at the clubhouse, many times before you get home, they are already there fixing a light bulb or changing an air filter or whatever you need. They take great pride in accommodating us.

There are not enough superlatives to describe the Director of Resident & Concierge Services, Marion Vasquez, and so many others who are a part of the team. Everyone is willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever needs to be done.

There is a genuine kindness here at Aston Gardens that goes beyond measure, and that is especially true of Marion.

The staff here has a dedication for what they do, and the managers hire high-quality team members—many of whom have been here for years. For example, we’ve had the same housekeeper for the past nine years—she’s like part of our family!

Aston Gardens is a wonderful place to call home, and I believe it is truly the best-kept secret on earth.

Senior Living Options at Our Tampa Bay Campus
In our beautifully appointed Tampa, Florida retirement community, we offer the following senior living options:

• Independent Living – Stay active through daily events, outings, and recreational opportunities while enjoying the peace of mind of having on-site staff
• SHINE® Memory Care – In our memory care program, residents will receive personalized attention and assistance with everyday living activities as needed
• Senior Assisted Living – Suitable for residents who need a little, extra assistance with daily tasks like medication management, personal grooming and household chores

Independent Living at Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay offers a lifestyle that’s as active, healthy and free as you want to be, all without being alone. Choose from one of our Independent Living apartment homes or a luxury, for-sale villa and enjoy the all-inclusive, care-and maintenance-free lifestyle at America’s award-winning senior living community, located between Tampa and Clearwater near Florida’s beautiful Gulf coast.

Contact Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay at 813-993-1276 to learn more about our exemplary senior living programs.

Enjoy Stylish Living at Aston Gardens NOW TOURING Independent Living!

AL#10546, 9439, 10175, 10612, 10316