When the Unexpected Happens, Peace of Mind Makes All the Difference

When the Unexpected Happens, Peace of Mind Makes All the Difference

One of the greatest benefits of living in a LifeCare community is knowing that when challenges arise, you don’t have to face them alone. At Seabury at Pomperaug Woods, that peace of mind is more than a promise. It’s something our residents experience firsthand.

Recently, a water main break in Southbury near our community prompted a precautionary boil water advisory, affecting homes and businesses throughout the surrounding area. While the situation presented challenges, our team immediately went to work to ensure residents continued to receive the care, services and support they count on every day.

How Our Team Responded

As soon as the advisory was issued, residents and staff were notified, and bottled water was distributed throughout our Health Center and Memory Care neighborhood. Additional water was made available to Independent Living  residents.

When the local health district required our kitchen to temporarily close, our Dining Services team quickly arranged meals from a neighboring town, ensuring residents continued to have access to food without having to make alternative arrangements themselves.

Meanwhile, our leadership team coordinated the delivery of a tanker containing certified potable water, allowing our kitchen to reopen the following morning. Because we maintain an emergency supply of drinking water, care in our Health Center and Memory Care neighborhood continued without interruption.

It took considerable coordination, teamwork and quick decision-making behind the scenes. But for our residents, the disruption to daily life was kept to a minimum.

“Our residents have chosen a lifestyle where they can spend less time worrying about the unexpected and more time enjoying each day,” said Vicki Gyba, Vice President and Executive Director of Seabury at Pomperaug Woods. “When something like this happens, our responsibility is to respond quickly, communicate clearly and make sure residents have what they need. I’m incredibly proud of how our entire team came together to take care of our community.”

The Benefits of Community Living

For someone living alone, an unexpected water main break can mean searching for bottled water, figuring out meal arrangements, contacting service providers and worrying about how long the disruption might last.

At Seabury at Pomperaug Woods, those responsibilities are handled by a dedicated team that knows our residents and is prepared to respond when circumstances change.

It’s one less thing for residents to worry about and one more reason families can feel confident knowing their loved ones are well cared for.

For resident Sam Burd, the experience reinforced the peace of mind that comes with living at Pomperaug Woods.

“The wonderful thing about living here is that you don’t have to worry about situations like this,” said Sam. “The team took care of everything, kept us informed, and made sure we had what we needed. If I were still living in my own home, I would have had to figure it all out myself. Here, I knew we were in good hands.”

From our Dining Services and Maintenance teams to our nursing staff and community leadership, everyone plays an important role in keeping our community running smoothly, particularly when situations require an immediate response.

Looking Ahead to Winter

As another New England winter approaches, this experience serves as an important reminder of the benefits of community living.

Snowstorms, icy driveways, power outages and unexpected home repairs can make winter especially stressful for older adults living on their own. Even everyday responsibilities like grocery shopping, shoveling snow and arranging home maintenance can become more challenging when temperatures drop and winter weather arrives.

At Seabury at Pomperaug Woods, our maintenance-free lifestyle enables our residents to leave many of those household chores and inconvenient responsibilities behind. And with dining, engaging activities, wellness programs and supportive services available right on campus, residents can continue enjoying an active, connected lifestyle throughout the winter months.

While no community can prevent every unexpected situation, having an experienced team and established resources in place can make a meaningful difference.

The recent water main break was an unexpected challenge, but it also demonstrated what makes life at Seabury at Pomperaug Woods different. Our residents have a team looking out for them, not just during an emergency, but every day.

Discover Life at Pomperaug Woods

At Seabury at Pomperaug Woods, residents enjoy the freedom of Independent Living, an engaging lifestyle and the reassurance of knowing a dedicated team is here to support them.

Schedule a personal visit to learn more about our community and experience the difference for yourself.

Call 203-936-8985 to schedule your visit today.

Seabury at Pomperaug Woods & Seabury, Inc. Receive Final Regulatory Approval for Affiliation

Seabury at Pomperaug Woods is excited to announce that all required regulatory approvals from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services, and the Office of the Attorney General have been received, allowing the affiliation between Seabury at Pomperaug Woods and Seabury, Inc. to officially proceed.
Originally announced in December 2025, this important milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Seabury at Pomperaug Woods community. The affiliation strengthens the long-term future of Seabury at Pomperaug Woods by combining the strong culture, mission, and reputation of the community with Seabury’s operational expertise, strategic leadership, and commitment to senior living services and programs.
Residents and families can expect continuity and stability throughout the transition process, including:

  • Continued resident services and daily operations without interruption
  • Existing residency agreements remaining in place
  • Ongoing leadership, programs, care, and services

Over the coming months, the community will begin to see continued investment and enhancements, including:

  • Campus refresh and infrastructure improvements
  • Culinary and dining enhancements

Seabury at Pomperaug Woods and Seabury remain committed to transparent communication and look forward to building upon the strong foundation and longstanding reputation of the Seabury at Pomperaug Woods community for years to come.

America Through Their Eyes: Seabury at Pomperaug Woods Residents Reflect on 250 Years of Freedom, Opportunity, and Gratitude

“My family and I were accepted as refugees from a fascist country and we are forever grateful.”

For resident Hernan Poza, those words capture what America has meant to him ever since he arrived here seeking freedom and a new beginning.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Hernan is one of many Seabury at Pomperaug Woods residents reflecting on what this country has meant to their lives — and why gratitude remains the common thread running through so many of their stories.

To commemorate the milestone anniversary, Activities Assistant Bonnie Early asked residents one simple question: What does America mean to you? The answers revealed stories spanning generations of immigration, sacrifice, opportunity, gratitude, and hope.

“I was deeply moved by what residents shared,” Bonnie said. “Many talked about parents and grandparents who came here searching for a better life. Others spoke about freedom, opportunity, and the ability to build a future for their families. There was so much gratitude in every conversation. Listening to their stories reminded me that America isn’t just a place — it’s millions of personal journeys, and so many of those journeys are represented right here at Seabury at Pomperaug Woods.”

As residents shared memories, Seabury at Pomperaug Woods is preparing to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary together. Throughout the holiday week, Seabury at Pomperaug Woods will be filled with patriotic spirit. Flags and bunting will adorn community spaces, residents will gather around the flagpole to sing the National Anthem, and friends and neighbors will come together under the big tent on July 4th for a festive picnic, featuring all the holiday favorites. The celebration continues on July 5th with a spirited sing-along of beloved American classics.

“What I love most about this celebration is seeing everyone come together,” said Lisa Huebenthal, Director of Community Life. “The decorations, the picnic, the music, the flag ceremony — those are wonderful traditions. But what makes this holiday truly special is hearing the stories behind the people in this community. So many of our residents have incredible life experiences, and when they share what America means to them, you can’t help but feel grateful. It’s a beautiful reminder of how fortunate we are and how much we have to celebrate together.”

Their reflections reveal a powerful common thread: gratitude.

“To me, America means kindness and fairness to ALL,” said resident Joe Longo.

“We are a country where anyone from anywhere can come to fulfill their hopes and dreams,” said resident Sandy Milkes. “But more importantly, we enjoy the freedom to speak our minds without fear of reprisal by the government, and to live our lives as we see fit. I thank God and my parents for coming to this great land!”

For resident Fran Poza, America’s promise can be seen through generations of her family. “America accepted my parents into this country, and they were always grateful for the lives they were able to live. Their daughters and grandchildren have successfully achieved the American dream.”

Resident Carol Villamana reflected on the importance of unity. “America isn’t just a flag or a piece of land, but the everyday people, neighbors, and freedoms we share. What truly matters in America is our ability to live together with mutual respect regardless of our backgrounds.”

For resident Rita Frost, the answer was simple. “America means freedom! We live in the greatest country offering opportunity to all. Freedom of expression and freedom of religion is available to all of us.”

And resident Joel Abramson captured the spirit of countless immigrant families. “America means the world to me! My grandparents came to America with nothing but high hopes. Because of their grit and the work ethic of my parents, I have everything. They would be astonished! America is the land of opportunity. I am so grateful, so lucky, and so proud to be able to call myself an American. God Bless America!”

As neighbors gather beneath waving flags this Independence Day, they will be celebrating more than an historic anniversary. They will be celebrating the stories, sacrifices, dreams, and opportunities that connect generations of Americans — and the remarkable residents whose lives continue to bring those ideals to life every day at Seabury at Pomperaug Woods.

We invite you to experience Seabury at Pomperaug Woods personally. Join us for lunch, tour the community, meet the residents, and see firsthand why so many choose to call it home.

Click here or call 203-936-8985 to schedule your private visit today!