Situated on a quiet road high on a hill, Belmont Village of Rancho Palos Verdes appears almost heavenly amid its rural surroundings. Trees and flowers pepper the expansive grounds. Banana plants and birds-of-paradise surround several seating areas outside the front entrance. A stone fireplace creates a hub in the foyer; a fire was blazing when we passed through, and some animated residents were sitting around it, chatting. Large Oriental rugs cover some of the polished hardwood floors. Beautiful antique furniture throughout the facility makes an elegant statement. A nook with tables and chairs leads to a large outdoor courtyard with flowers, plants and space heaters for chilly weather. Abundant seating allows for barbecues, which occur frequently in the summer. A staff member told us they even held a tailgating party outside for a recent football game! Residents do water aerobics in the outdoor pool during the summer and unwind in the spa year-round. Shopping trips, yoga, and arts and crafts activities such as jewelry-making help residents remain active and involved. A volunteer-run jewelry and crafts fair drew quite a crowd during our tour.
Common rooms each have their own function. In the learning center, residents access the Internet on large flat-screen monitors, with the help of on-site learning coordinators. The state-of-the-art fitness facility has a treadmill, seated stair climbers, parallel bars and stability balls. Exercise specialists help design and implement individualized workout plans. One common room is beautifully decorated with hanging tapestries, silk flowers and large potted plants. A piano and the chirping of caged birds fill the room with music. The restaurant-style dining room, known as Josephine’s Kitchen, has its own staff and serves a variety of California cuisine that includes salads and sandwiches. The inviting bistro offers snacks and beverages all day; we had our fill of the tasty pink lemonade!
Spacious resident rooms come in eight different floor plans. All have windows with blinds, some overlooking the patio and others with fabulous views of the Hollywood Hills and surrounding mountains. The secure dementia unit has a waiting list for admission; the rooms in this unit are similar to the others, and the communal décor echoes the look throughout the rest of the facility. While these residents participate in some of the activities available to everyone, a schedule tailored to their needs includes word games, crafts and reminiscence sessions. One resident with early-stage dementia walked past us during our tour, seeming somewhat dissociated. His condition does not yet warrant his residence in the secure unit, but he seemed to require a little extra attention. Our guide reminded him it was lunchtime and personally escorted him to the dining room. Her sensitivity spoke volumes about the facility’s commitment to offering high-quality, individualized care.
