Retirement communities are offering new amenities and programs to residents
Opening in spring 2022, Provision Living of West Chester is indicative of the kind of new retirement communities seniors are seeking, according to Business Development Manager Janice Hare.
“They definitely want a good dining program, with chef-prepared meals, and a lot of different food choices,” Hare says.
Adding to that wish list are a slate of lively activities, although that “also depends whether independent living or assisted.”
Provision Living has 57 assisted living units, which includes a mixture of two-bedroom, one-bedroom and studio apartments.
Provision Living of West Chester follows the opening last spring of Provision Living of Batavia. The area’s proliferation of new retirement communities only makes sense, given the need that exists, Hare says. She attributes that need to a senior population that has grown as Baby Boomers have hit 65.
Many communities also address and provide housing for memory care residents, with Provision Living of West Chester offering 32 such homes, all studio apartments.
For residents requiring memory care—which encompasses Alzheimer’s disease, progressive dementia, frontal lobe dementia and some Parkinson’s symptoms, among other conditions that require redirection and help with decision-making—it is important to have smaller, manageable spaces for the residents to occupy and navigate, Hare says.
Big areas and big hallways, for example, are too overwhelming for people under the memory care umbrella, considering these conditions can affect their eyesight, perception and gait.
Families are looking for engaging activities when they seek memory care for their loved ones, Hare says. Provisions Living at West Chester staff aims to learn about the residents to connect them to activities that will resonate with them, such as art and music.
“We always try to find out who the person was before the dementia or Alzheimer’s,” Hare says, referring to their vocations or avocations. “They may have been artists, professors or engineers.”
“Living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be difficult, not only for the person experiencing it, but for the loved ones that surround them as well,” says Melissa DiCarlo of Trilogy Health Services, which runs Gateway Springs Health Campus in Butler County. It opened in December 2020.
“We have a specialized team dedicated to turning those challenges into positive moments for everyone—residents of our memory care neighborhood receive the highest quality care from a team who is invested and committed to opening the door to smiles, laughter and warmth every day.”
Gateway’s different neighborhoods are designed to address seniors’ varying needs. “Your needs are different than the next person’s—this means that your lifestyle should be, too,” DiCarlo says. “We know that senior living should never be ‘one-size-fits-all,’ which is why our living options are each unique.”
The team in its assisted living neighborhood “provides you with the perfect amount of assistance, so you can focus on pursuits that bring you joy.
“And if you find yourself or someone you love in need of more advanced clinical care, we offer skilled nursing, memory care and short-term care services on our campus grounds,” DiCarlo says. “By offering a wide range of senior living options, we ensure that you always feel supported, no matter where you are on life’s journey.”
Gateway puts its focus on senior living through its programming, offered at regular intervals throughout the week, she adds. Its featured programs include:
– Vitality, which provides opportunities for physical movement three times a week.
– Inspirational Services allow residents time for worship, to attend Bible study or to enjoy meditation twice a week.
– Lifelong Learning includes courses in art, computers, history, humanities, international studies, languages, music and performing arts, psychology, social studies, recreation, science, health and math.
– Keeping it Sharp offers cognitive pursuits three times a week.
– Mindful Moments promotes small group engagement every day for those with cognitive challenges using Gateway’s Themed Sensations or other sensory programs.
– Artisans creates time for residents to make art or crafts twice a week.
– Music to My Ears organizes time for residents to play instruments, sing or enjoy their favorite music three times a week.
– Just the Guys offers male-centered events twice a month.
– Out and About is the program name for trips into the community twice a week.
– Generations is a social gathering that bridges the gap between young and old and promotes connections once a month and Happy Hour every Friday provides further fun to kick off weekends
