My mom has been a resident at Vineyard Park Queen Anne (formerly Queen Anne Manor) for three and a…read morehalf years. She lives on one of the two memory care floors, and we have been very happy with the care she receives.
Mom's apartment is cozy and bright, with tall ceilings, a ceiling fan, a large window, and her own bathroom. The communal space is flooded with natural light and includes a TV room, dining room, and a darling rooftop patio filled with flowers during the spring and summer months. There's even a piano tucked into the corner, and I've been lucky enough to witness residents sit down and play!
We experienced a change in ownership last year, which resulted in quite a bit of management and staff turnover. It was a challenging time for everyone, but one thing that remained consistent was the focus on caring for and supporting my mom and the other residents. The current team is, hands down, the best we've experienced. An enormous thank you to all of them.
There is a level of "independence" in the memory care program here that may or may not work for your loved one. It's a large community, and even within the smaller memory care sections, the staff-to-resident ratio is on the lower side. For our family, though, this works well. Mom is mobile and constantly on the move, and having the freedom to explore without being overly coddled suits her personality.
The staff also take a gentle approach to caregiving. If a resident refuses care, they're good about giving them some space and trying again later. I've found this helps prevent agitation, and the residents generally seem happy and comfortable in the shared spaces.
Memory care residents have daily activities with the activities coordinators and are often invited to the assisted living side for larger, community-wide activities. Extra staff are on hand for these events, and residents can return to their own space whenever they're ready, which is especially helpful for those who can become easily overwhelmed. They also put on an extra-special Thanksgiving celebration every year!
We are so thankful for the level of care Mom receives, the friendly and inviting staff, and the beautiful historic building she gets to call home. And bonus points for the neighborhood!
Finding long-term care for a loved one is an incredibly emotional and overwhelming process. My advice: explore your options, ask lots of questions, but also take a moment to observe how the staff interact with each other and whether the residents seem happy and comfortable. You'll know when you find the right place--and we sure did at Vineyard Park Queen Anne.
