Located on bustling, tree-lined Arbor Creek Drive, Atria Carrollton is a red brick building with cheerful yellow siding and tall white columns. Ceiling fans generate a cool breeze over the wicker chairs on the veranda. Pink and white crepe myrtles, colorful pansies and tufts of monkey grass decorate the lawn. Barbecues in the outdoor courtyard are a popular event, perhaps in part because residents enjoy relaxing beneath the shade trees and near the marble fountain.
Yellow canaries and blue parakeets sing from their perches in the aviary, while tropical fish create vivid color in aquariums placed throughout the facility. Lithographs of Greek and Roman pottery hang from the walls. Comfortable, modern furnishings fit well with the color scheme of yellow, orange and green.
Decadent meals, such as grilled chicken with baby squash and fresh green beans, are served restaurant-style in the elegant dining room. White tablecloths dress the round oak tables; matching chairs are upholstered in maroon. Glass chandeliers hang from the ceiling. A selection of several menus includes hearty staples such as chicken noodle soup and ham sandwiches; the Weight Watcher selection lists low-fat options and smaller portions. Atria’s residents are a happy, animated group with a variety of interests. Residents lunch at restaurants every other week. Outback Steak House is a favorite. Residents sponsor art bizarres that feature their paintings and other crafts; all proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. During our tour, we noticed the staff smiling and sharing inside jokes with the residents.
A black baby grand sits in the library, which doubles as a common area. Large oak tables and blue and green couches furnish the other common areas. The wide hallways are equipped with dark wooden handrails. Sunlight supplements fluorescent lighting throughout the building. That, along with white window treatments and pale walls add a spacious air to residents’ rooms. The rooms feature ample storage space. Residents proudly display their artwork and seasonal decorations on small shelves outside their doors.
