When my mother was 90, I moved her from Chicago to Fellowship Village Senior Living. Prior to the…read moremove, Mom was becoming less social, losing weight, and not attending to her appearance as much as in the past. Within a very short time, she blossomed in her new Independent Living apartment. She looked forward to meeting friends for dinner, which inspired her to dress up more. She put on weight and lost that frail look. I would credit her new outlook on life to the socialization with the residents, the friendly and doting staff, and an astute geriatrician who changed her thyroid medication.
Mom lived in Independent Living for over 12 years. When she seemed to need more help to remember to take her medications, keep her apartment at an appropriate temperature, and arrive at the correct time for appointments, a lovely, senior woman on the staff called me to say it was time we thought of moving Mom to Assisted Living. She is now in Memory Care, and has been for almost four years. Yes! My mom will be 106 on her next birthday in two months! What I always tell people is that many places have wonderful, up-to-date facilities. It is the staff, however, who creates the homey atmosphere. I have no doubt my mother's primary Care Partner loves her. She washes and styles her hair, gives her manicures, chooses a pretty outfit, and completes the job with makeup and jewelry. My mom can't really do anything for herself now, so she (and I) rely so much on the goodness and conscientiousness of the staff. A nurse is on duty 24-7 and is an integral part of every resident's day and night. The Care Partners assist one another if a resident needs extra help. There is a Neighborhood Coordinator who keeps all the pieces of the puzzle together. In addition, the kitchen staff makes a variety of meals from which the residents can choose. The staff knows the preferences of each resident inside and out: What they like to eat, whom they like to sit with, which chair they like best, who seems a bit down on a given day, etc. The Life Enrichment staff brings activity in the way of live music, art, current event discussions, as well as conversing about past moments in history. On holidays, everyone seems to pitch in to decorate and serve special meals and treats. Memory Care has its own Christmas tree, which is decorated by the residents and staff at the annual Christmas party. The families are invited, and I can vouch for the party being fun, lively, and joyful. Once a week, for those residents who choose and are able, there is a bus ride through the area that lasts about and hour, or so.
A year ago, my beloved husband joined my mother in Memory Care. Their rooms are right next door to one another. I live in NYC now, and the round trip drive is not ideal. Still, I could see my husband nowhere else but Fellowship Village to receive the same loving care as my mother has enjoyed for years. A family atmosphere prevails among the residents, their families, and the staff. We are encouraged to call at any time with questions, concerns, observations, etc. With having my mother and husband at Fellowship Village, I am in very frequent contact with whichever staff member I think can help me. And I'm never made to feel as if I'm interrupting.
