Several office and medical buildings as well as a large hospital compose the area surrounding Villa Sorrento. The facility resembles an older apartment building, spruced up by an immaculate lawn and a verdant spread of flowers, plants, bushes and trees. Newspaper stands are conveniently located at the front entrance. The backyard includes a covered seating area designated for smokers. There’s also a beautiful enclosed outdoor garden with a gazebo and grills for barbecuing. The Fourth of July party that’s held out back is an event not to be missed! We were greeted by the sound of birds chirping in the roomy lobby. The earth-toned tiles, with a flower pattern at the center, look smart. The welcome desk sits within a decorative wooden gazebo making a unique statement. Comfy easy chairs border the desk. A nook off the lobby holds private mailboxes for each resident. When we visited, staff members were preparing for an upcoming open house for friends and family.
An animated group of residents welcomed us from the restaurant-style dining room, where they were sitting in assigned seats, eating lunch. The lasagna looked scrumptious! The dining room contains a few small separate sections, allowing for a quieter mealtime experience. Birthday dinners and ice cream parties bring out the child in every resident, while wine and cheese socials appeal to their adult tastes. With a full-time activities director on staff, the facility doesn’t lack for creative recreational opportunities. Regular activities include weekly outings for lunch and errands, exercise sessions, religious services, card games, a walking club, literary discussions and movie nights. Local Girl and Boy Scout troops come to visit with residents, providing the ever-popular intergenerational experience. There are numerous activity rooms, all of which resemble family rooms, with carpet, TVs, sofas and chairs. One has a working fireplace and an aquarium, while another has several bookcases filled with reading material. One of the activity rooms can be used for private dining and parties if reserved in advance.
Resident rooms are unfurnished, but the facility supplies single beds, dressers and nightstands if needed. Small refrigerators and microwaves are permitted. All resident rooms have a patio or balcony, some overlooking the beautiful courtyard gardens. Trees, bushes and plants make these outdoor havens come to life. On one patio, we glimpsed a charming birdbath. Villa Sorrento’s owner, we were told, strives to maintain an affordable, family-friendly atmosphere. While costs are certainly lower than usual, the facility is ideal for people who don’t require advanced medical attention. Perhaps because the friendly staff members are all certified nursing assistants with field experience, training is only provided when a need arises. For this reason, people with advanced dementia are encouraged to consider alternate facilities.