Adjacent to a non-affiliated skilled nursing facility, Evergreen Chateau looks small and inconspicuous from the outside. Reflective windows allow for extra privacy and reduce the glare of natural light inside. Subdued lighting helps to limit agitation in residents with dementia and schizophrenia, who compose the population of this locked facility. The modest lobby, with pretty, floral-trimmed carpet, leads to a quaint library. Green wingback chairs invite relaxation around the fireplace. Light wallpaper lines walls throughout the building. Resident rooms, varied in size, have carpet, well-worn furniture and adequate closet space. Staff encourages decorating with personal mementos to create a familiar, homey atmosphere. Some rooms have private bathrooms with tubs; those who don’t have tubs have access to shared shower rooms.
The sizable dining room has enough four-person tables to accommodate all residents at once. Lunch is usually the largest meal, offering hearty entrées like casseroles and chicken parmesan, while light dinners consist of soups and sandwiches. Everyone eats together, including residents who require feeding assistance. With a big-screen TV and a piano, this spot is well equipped for fun and socialization. Activities, such as arts and crafts, sensory stimulation games, card games, question and answer sessions, karaoke and bingo also take place in this room. The facility’s highlight is its huge backyard, which almost resembles a public park with walking paths, trees and a gazebo. Patio furniture invites residents to kick back and enjoy the idyllic scenery. For alternate outdoor repose, many residents prefer the front patio, which also boasts a gazebo.
