Thriving in retirement, with a little help from my Neighborhood Center

When Ray and his wife Jennifer retired a few years ago from busy careers, they both knew they wanted to stay active and be close to family.

Part of that plan included moving from Florida to North Carolina to be closer to grandchildren. And by close, they live right in their daughter’s backyard in an in-law cottage - much to the delight of the little ones.

When it came to making new friends in their new town, though, Ray says, “It’s not really easy to meet people our age,” as they are often already set in their friend groups and communities.

But that didn’t stop Jennifer from looking for opportunities. She came across a Facebook ad for bingo and lunch at the Beyond Blue Neighborhood Center in Raleigh. She showed Ray, and he didn’t need much convincing. They’d enjoyed bingo on a cruise, so he figured this could be fun.

What Ray didn’t expect was the warmth they’d receive at the Center. “As soon as we walked through the door that first time,” he says, “we felt welcome and cared for.”

Now they rarely miss a Tuesday lunch and bingo session; they’ve made great friends with other retirees and have a new network of folks to talk about everything from the best dinner spots to fun activities for the grandkids. They even get together outside of bingo.

Bingo nights might've started out as purely a social activity, but soon those afternoons turned into a long-lasting support network as Ray and Jennifer considered their options for Medicare.

Ray turned 65 recently and after doing his research, he didn’t hesitate to go with Blue Cross NC for his Medicare plan. With all the options out there, and the importance of making the right choice, Ray said there was no substitute for face-to-face when it came to learning about Medicare plans.

Ray says the staff at the Center are warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. Not only to answer any questions he may have about his Medicare plan, but also in creating community.

“I can tell when someone cares about me,” he says, “and cares about their job. The people here, they love what they do. They care about the community, and they care about us. I have no doubt in my mind that’s true.”

While Ray and Jennifer navigate this phase of their life and all that comes with it, they can count on Blue Cross NC to support them with their health needs along the way. The bingo and friendships? Ray calls it a win-win.

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