In a well-heeled section of the suburbs is this small Sunrise facility. Upon arriving, we felt like we were on the proverbial visit to Grandma’s house. White trim lines the yellow clapboard while several turrets add a fanciful element. Numerous rocking chairs inhabit the outdoor porch, along with flowerpots and hanging plants that sway in the breeze. An indoor porch with cushioned wicker chairs leads into the bustling lobby. Residents in the comfortable living room on the right were absorbed in a program on the big-screen TV. A counter in the nearby twenty-four hour bistro displays fruit and other snacks. A few early birds were waiting for a seated exercise class to begin when we passed by. Staff members regularly phone residents in their rooms to encourage their participation.
All three main rooms get loads of natural light; most activities take place in either the bistro or the living room. The dining room is used mostly for meals. A quaint charm is inherent in the linen-covered tables overlaid with glass and linen napkins. Salads and fresh fruits along with homemade soup are offered at every lunch and dinner. Two entrée choices are offered at dinner. The upstairs activity room was filled with a resident-run travelogue group on our tour. Hallways lead to small TV lounges and conform to the Sunrise aesthetic of having “neighborhood” themes; this not only provides ambience, but also helps orient forgetful residents or those with dementia. Resident rooms are spacious and comfortable—closets, too! A large window provides natural light. Some bathrooms have built-in shelves.
A pleasant walking path meanders around the entire building—although wheelchair users will require assistance to navigate it. A swing set for visiting grandchildren is hidden out back. Daily activities include exercise, crafts, movies, puzzles and sports. It should be noted that while the offering of mentally stimulating activities is minimal, the location does allow for residents to come and go easily. Staff arranges taxi service for residents’ personal and medical appointments. The Dollar Store and Kmart are visited weekly. Friday night Shabbat services are held at the facility, whereas Catholic residents are bussed to mass.
The average age of the residents here is eighty-seven, slightly higher than most Sunrise facilities. Many residents use wheelchairs or walkers. Every resident has a designated care manager or staff member that provides all their care, making it easier for staff to detect changes in health or mood early on, so they are able to act as the first line of information for families. Interestingly, management views the facility as an alternative to a skilled nursing facility. By contracting with private nursing and hospice companies, the hope is to keep residents at “home,” and allow them to age in place. During our tour we came upon a married couple, both of whom lived in the Alzheimer’s unit. The husband was reading the paper to his wife, whose dementia was more advanced, and she was resting on a chaise lounge near him. The serenity of this domestic scene seemed in line with everything else we witnessed.
