Caring for Your Loved Ones and Your Community

In a perfect world, aging should be a slow and gradual process that all of us face as time passes. Hopefully, most of us will have the opportunity to make wise and thoughtful decisions that will make those times in our lives manageable for us and our immediate family. All it takes is making the effort to plan.

One of the most difficult decisions is selecting the right place for a loved one who needs more care than family members can provide. Fortunately, those living in the Village of Estero will find a variety of options from independent and assisted living to specialized memory care and skilled nursing.

In this month’s feature on “Aging Well in Estero,” you will find meaningful terminology defined, as well as an explanation of offerings available at Gulf Coast Memory Care, Life Care Center of Estero and American House Coconut Point. These three Estero communities demonstrate why choosing senior care is rarely a matter of finding the “best” place, but rather the appropriate place for the needs of the individual and family based on circumstances, resources or the level of care required. For those contemplating future needs, this article should be a helpful starting point to your search.

Unfortunately, caring for a loved one doesn’t always mean the elderly. Pediatric cancer is too common a reality in today’s world. Our cover story remembers Logan Stryker and honors the legacy of a life well lived – even though it was only a short 10 years. The story recounts Logan’s two-year battle with a rare form of bone cancer and the huge difference he made for other children who were battling their own health struggles. We invite you to celebrate Logan’s life with us and learn about Stryk Out Cancer, an organization that Logan’s parents launched on his birthday this year with a focus on helping parents and caregivers of children with cancer as they continue working to turn pain into purpose.

Speaking of purposeful planning, we are all blessed to live in the Village of Estero, a place where local leaders truly have a vision for continual improvement. This month, the Village of Estero welcomes your input on the budget! You read that correctly. Each September, the Village Council holds two monthly, budget-focused meetings in the evening to make it easier for members of the community to attend. This year those two meetings will be held at 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Wednesday, Sept. 23 to adopt the 2026-27 budget and millage rate. For more details, see the Village Connection.

This month’s featured restaurant took shape with careful planning as the newest creation of Canadian-based Aidan Hospitality. A short drive to Bayfront in Naples will bring you a taste of France at Ce Soir, a sister restaurant to Ce Soir Brasserie in Oakville, Ontario. This modern and elegant restaurant combines a waterfront setting with Canadian hospitality. From escargot to scallops, lobster spaghetti to prime-cut steaks and roasted branzino, there is something for every palate. We invite you to check out our favorites!

Until next month, remember to…

Enjoy the Good Life: Estero Life!!!

Gary

Gary Israel, President & Publisher

Estero Life Magazine