So much to do and so little time...

The following three videos clearly show how this active community embraces each day. The first video is one I took of the full service beauty salon, exercise room and craft room and library.

This next video shows the lovely living area and how beautifully it is decorated for the holidays. One thing I can say for sure having come to this community through out the year is they believe in celebrations and sharing all the holidays with the residents via decorations and events. Orchard Crest goes all out so their residents never miss a special day or moment.

My final video from Orchard Crest Retirement Community is from Tammy the Activity Director. As I have said over and over again this last year while I toured the communities in Spokane it became apparent to me the heart and soul of the community comes from the management and most especially the activity director. Nothing could be more true than with Tammy.

 

As you listened to Tammy speak about how she feels about her job and the residents she cares for it becomes clear that she is not only passionate about what she does, but one of those truly sweet & caring people you are lucky to meet. This was true with all the staff I met; from the chef to the front desk it is a warm and inviting home...yes, I said it a HOME! I have always loved Orchard Crest and I was so fortunate to be able to end my year long journey in such a well run & loving community. Thank you Orchard Crest Retirement Community I am glad I came to stay!

My belated report on Orchard Crest Retirement Community

Hi all!!    It has been quite a while since I posted to this site. I have been neglectful in reporting about my visit to Orchard Crest Retirement Community. For this I apologize, but please know it is not a refection of my time with this community. Right after I left I had a family emergency and at the first of the year I moved my office from Keller Williams Realty to Century 21. As with all moves it takes time to get adjusted to the move. After I came up for air from my business move my mother became very ill and came to live with me. I share this part of my life journey because it falls in line with why I initiated this blog a year ago. I feel it is so important to be proactive and plan for our futures so that we do not have to react in the middle of a crisis and then come up for air and wonder how and why these decisions were made. Sometimes it is not fun or easy to make these choices, but truly so much better to make them upfront and to be forced into the choice in a moment of crisis.

The following is my report about the wonderful stay I had at Orchard Crest Retirement Community. The local owners of this fabulous community go all out to make this the home all their residents are proud to call home. The staffing is wonderful. From the minute you walk through the door you are greeted by a warm and inviting feel. It has long been one of my favorite communities to visit. I was happy to see that after staying here for my visit my initial thoughts were well founded. The following videos depict a little about my experience there and how the lucky residents are loved and cared for in this community.

The first video is me sharing my initial thoughts about my stay at Orchard Crest.

More thoughts to follow...

There's no place like home...There's no place like home...

Finding the right new home is so important to the transition you are facing. It will make all the difference now and in the future how this new chapter of your life develops. It is important to know as you are doing your search a key element in finding the right home for you is how will the community assist you in the transition of life. One of the questions to ask yourself is what will happen to me as I age. If I move in as an independent resident and due to health issues that may arise I now need assisted care or dementia care what will become of me? If you live in one of the CCRC campuses in town...of which Riverview is one, all the care you could ever need is at hand and waiting in the wings to help in all stages of aging.

The following 2 videos highlight two of the living options at Riverview Retirement Community. The first one is of one of the rooms in the Terrace.

This next video is of one of the cottages. It is owned by Shirley a very active lady who enjoys not only the privacy and independence of her cottage, but also all the amenities of the community. She takes comfort in knowing that as she ages and if her living/ health situation declines she has the option of moving into a new housing situation right here at Riverview.For her this is true peace of mind and why there really is no place like home!

Riverview is alive with the sound of music!

The following two videos clearly display how important music is to our well being. And because of this there is a strong emphasis on music at Riverview Retirement Community.

The first video is of a group of residents who joined together in one of the many community areas on the campus and sang songs of days gone by. Enjoy!

This next video is a group of dedicated Riverview terrace and Village residents who come together

to practice their skills. Together they make up the amazing group titled Riversong.This group performs all over and are in high demand. I was delighted to watch this rehearsal of an upcoming show. They are full of energy and joy. Watch till the end so you can see the lady with the happy feet!

One of the common elements the retirement communites I have stayed with share is the importance of having activites that not only stimulate the mind but ones that will enhance the residents live. After staying with the folks here at Riveview I can honestly say they take it to heart here in this community....and they do it with a song!

Let's talk turkey!

I feel it is appropriate to talk about food since we are right in the middle of the holiday season. What better time to talk "turkey"! No discussion would be complete with out me sharing with you my thoughts about the dining experience I had during my stay at Riverview Retirement Community. Of all the places I stayed this year I think Riverview ranks very close to the top in both the food served and the service given. Each day I was delighted to see a fresh breakfast bar and salad bars at both lunch and dinner. They were all full of various items that were fresh and enjoyable. In addition to this choice there were always multiple entrees available on the menu. I was  fortunate to sit at several tables during my stay and each table had warm wonderful people to enjoy my meal with. These folks many having lived here for upwards of 10+ years could not say enough of the ease of their life at Riverview.

As I mentioned Riverview ranks high on my list of dining choices and much of the praise must be placed on Pete, the Executive Chef. Pete, who has enjoyed a 30 year tenure at his post oversees a staff of truly caring professionals who daily serve their residents with love and care. I can not say enough of this well oiled machine and the folks that work here.

Introduction to Riverview Retirement Community

I spent a week with the wonderful folks at Riverview Retirement Community. While I was there I shot several videos of the grounds and the community. The following 3 videos display a beginning glimpse into live here at Riverview Community.

Below is a short video of the garden area. This area is a wonderful safe place for all the residents to enjoy. It is fenced and has access to all areas of the community.

This video shows a bit of the Terrace and the common areas.

Stay tuned for further updates about my stay at this wonderful community.

Final Thoughts from Broadway Court Estates

After spending a week with the wonderful folks at Broadway Court Estates I have nothing but wonderful comments about this community. It is family owned and operated and it shows. The owners are very hands on and on a daily basis they come in to keep up on things. When I spoke with the residents they had nothing but praise for the owners. This community is a fully independent building. The folks that live here are very active and enjoy activities that accommodate their needs, from swimming to dancing and everything in between there is plenty to do here. The dining room is a pleasant experience and full of wonderful conversation as we enjoyed well thought out menus and excellent executed meals. The staff is friendly and helpful and clearly devoted to the residents. If you are an active senior you really do not want to miss out on an opportunity to stay here at Broadway Court Estates!

Final Concert of the Year

The week I stayed at Broadway Court Estates happened to also be the final patio concert of the season. About 100 residents gathered to hear a great fiddle concert. There was wine, beer and treats served under the light of special tikki torches. The large patio is the perfect summer gathering place. There are often parties here on this lovely patio which is situated next to the indoor pool and the residents flower gardens. A wonderful evening was had by all as we enjoyed the close of another summer and a chance to look forward to the coming fall.

Wonderful grounds

As I strolled around the grounds here at Broadway Court Estates I am struck with the great pride that is visible everywhere I look. Not only by the owners, which is so very evident; but also by the residents. I was amazed by all the gardens. As you watch this video make sure to notice all the individual gardens. At the beginning of the growing season the residents who desire put their name in for a plot. Some are raised beds and some are traditional plots of earth. Whichever type they ended up with the devotion to their gardens come through. I was fortunate enough to get a tour with, Bob Garwood, a very passionate resident who has several plots. His harvest is used for his baking. It is not unusual for Bob to make the staff pies and other home baked treats from his garden. The staff and residents love it and Bob enjoys his new found gift for baking. Just another way the residents here stay active and involved. Now here is the video...

Crafts

One of the great things about Broadway Court Estates is the quality of dedicated women who get together to design, build and host the October Craft Sale each year. I have a short video of some of them working and some of the items them have made for the sale. This sale was last week end and the proceeds benefit the community. They are able to purchase special items around the building. For example they purchased a curio cabinet for the hallway to display some collectibles. In addition items the buy the proceeds also go to support the craft room and keep it full of the supplies they desire. It gives them an endless supply of projects and it is clear they take a lot of pride in all they are accomplishing...and justifiably so...just watch and see.

Line Dancing at Broadway Court Estates

What I found wonderful at this community was the varied activities and the level of involvement of all the residents here. They have everything from gardening to various exercise classes, card games, movies, special outings and every Tuesday they have line dancing classes. You have to watch this video showing the excited die hard line dancing fans who come out each and every week to fine tune their skills. Some of them have been doing this for 10 years...now that is devotion. Loved watching these ladies. Wonderful energy here at Broadway Court Estates!

First Night at Broadway Court Estates

I was welcomed here with a tour and an introduction to many of the staff members; many of whom I will be talking with this week. I was very impressed with the facility and all the amenties that are here in the 118 room community.  As always I will be talking with key people here as well as some residents in an effort to discover what life is like here.

The short video I have attached shows the room I am lucky enough to be staying in with Willie. The one thing I did not mention in the video is the room has its own washer and dryer. This is a wonderful feature as many of the communties I have stayed in do not. Please watch the video and imagine how now it would be to live in an apartment like this. More to come...

Final Thoughts from The Waterford

After spending a week with the folks at The Waterford I am struck with one revealing word LOVE. What I felt was a true sense of love for the residents who live at The Waterford and also the love each staff member shows the residents who they care for.  In addition to this I felt the love the staff has for their jobs. I spoke to so many staff members who shared with me how honored they are to be working at The Waterford.  This was displayed from the wonderful severs in the dining hall to Kelly one of the housekeepers all the way up to Jeff the CEO. Time and time again I heard what a great place The Waterford is for working. It really is a community of workers who serve with a servant’s heart and residents who gratefully accept this gift of love.

I highly recommend The Waterford Touchmark.  Now sit back and watch this video of Jeff 's thoughts as to why The Waterford is a wonderful community.

The library at The Waterford

This short video explains how so many of the activities at The Waterford are resident driven. The staff actively seeks out the hopes and opinions of the residents and helps them find ways to full fill their needs.

Lori the Health and Fitness Director

Enjoy this great video about the fitness department here at Waterford. I was lucky enough to participate in my first Tai Chi class. I have to admit some of the other class members displayed better balance than I did. ;) It was a wonderful way to start the day.

Check this out...

Betty: Life Enrichment Director

Enjoy this interview with Betty regarding the life enrichment program at The Waterford a Touchmark community. She discusses how events in the community are resident driven. What I observed is that because of this the community residents are extremely involved and excited. Watch and learn!

Willie's Moment: He is a STAR!!

Willie loves it at the Waterford Touchmark!

So many people have welcomed him and come to pet his soft head. It seems there is not a soul at the Waterford who does not like to pet a soft Golden Retriever. As we go to leave in the evening for our walk it takes 30 minutes to get out the door. There are residents coming down the hall that heard he was here and they ask us to wait. It turns out he is quite the draw. Willie loves nothing more than to snuggle up to someones leg and have his head rubbed. When one resident is done he goes to the nest. I have always believed it was Willie's calling to be a therapy dog. It looks like my trek around town to visit retirement communities is fulfilling this in his life. While bringing joy to the folks that live here he is experiencing the gift of sharing his warmth and comfort with those around him. It melts my heart to see the reaction between Willie and the residents. After our stay I can assure you, Willie will be back to visit...he loves to stay in touch with his friends.





A welcome from The Waterford

This video represents how new residents to the community are greeted and made to feel welcome. These two ladies co-chair the welcoming committee and along with the rest of the the committee go out of their way to make people feel right at home. Betty and Virgina two lovely ladies working hard to make a difference in the lives of those around them.

Day one: Waterford a Touchmark Community

I shot a short video about my first day here. What I did not include was my initial observations of the people who live here. I met some wonderful, warm people today who were willing to share some of their personal thoughts about life in general and specifically here at Waterford. At both lunch and dinner the ladies I spoke with shared how important your attitude is to your happiness and contentment. In their heart they believe strongly there is no reason not to be happy here. They shared how anything you might desire is available to you. They talked about the importance of not getting stuck in a rut and thinking that nothing is good because the person you are hurting is yourself.  I know this may sound simplistic however if you think about the context of it being our first meeting and the fact these insights came from 3 women in their 90's it seems worth mentioning. We all know attitude is everything but how wonderful that even in your 90's people are making the conscience decision to wake up every day on the right side of the bed!

Final Thoughts from Rockwood South

As I sit here and ponder all I observed and learned during my stay at Rockwood South I realized it felt like a well oiled machine. There was not a single item that did not impress me. The staff shows a true passion for what they do..ask me about the stability of the staff. Most of the management have been here 10 plus years. Alan, the CEO of all three Rockwood campuses has been here for 20 years. Rockwood South boasts a 50 year legacy of outstanding service and caring for the residents who have chosen to live here.

As I strolled the 90 acre campus it seemed there was not a flower out of place. Everything was beautifully landscaped and is all done by the staff who clearly take pride in their jobs.
The south campus features 165 homes. The tower for the independent residents, assisted living and dementia is home to 400 folks. I was so pleased to see this community that welcomed me and happily showed me with great pride their lovely homes.

It is clear to me and anyone who spends time here that a feeling of excellence in every aspect of this lovely community is fostered by staff and residents a like. They opened their arms to me and I can't thank them enough for all the special efforts they took with my stay. You owe it to yourself to check it out!