Construction

These are busy days on the construction site! Outside we have the new sewer line being connected. The vinyl siding installation continues. The roofing crew was back in this past weekend. Interior walls are mostly in. Wiring, plumbing, and mechanical work are all ongoing as is sheetrocking and fire sprinkler system installation. Windows are now all in and we are close to being 100% weather tight. Work on the entrance roadways will happen this week that will require the construction management trailer to be moved and we expect that our emergency generator will be set in its new home this week as well. Right now, the best place to take in the view of the work in progress is from across the river at Odell Park. It is going to be a big – but not an overbearing – building!

Behind the Scenes

While not nearly as glamorous as new construction, we also have several internal projects going on in anticipation of moving into the new building. Chief among them is a restructuring of our dining services department. With Mariah leaving us to pursue other career options we have partnered with Glendale Dining Services to direct our dining services. They will be starting with us in October. They have a tremendous amount of experience in retirement community dining, and they are the perfect partners to not only move us from the old building to the new – but also to introduce an entirely new dining program that is specially designed for our new memory support, assisted living and independent living members.

The Dutch Uncle

All too often I have seen people wait longer than they should have to make the decision to help a loved one move into an assisted living center. It is understandable. Your loved one doesn’t want to leave home. The caregiver spouse inevitably feels conflicted. S/he wants to do what is best, wants to do what their ill spouse wants, doesn’t want to look as though they have given up and as a result does nothing. Oftentimes two things happen: first of all, the caregiving spouse becomes exhausted and depressed – and understandably so. The second thing is something that we who work in eldercare see —but that a caregiving spouse does not. We see how much better people do after they join us as residents. This is not a reflection of the care provided by the well spouse. There is only so much that one person can do, and oftentimes it necessarily results in a degree of social isolation for both. We provide that socialization and with it a wonderful improvement in quality of life. We are not here to cure people of being old – we are here to help people smile regardless of their age or situation! We do not take the place of the Caregiving Spouse – we assist her/him in improving quality of life by adding smiles to the years!

Choosing assisted living is not about giving up, it is about opening the door to a new and exciting chapter. Please reach out to us for more information!

Wrap Up

I could not be more proud of our staff —a staff whose approach to problem-solving reminds me of the unofficial motto of the U.S. Marine Corps which is to improvise, adapt and overcome. Between construction disruption and COVID, we have had ample opportunity to improvise new solutions with the resources that we have, to adapt long-held ways of doing things in favor of what is needed today, and overcome many and different kinds of barriers. These are very different and challenging times – but our staff has been up for the challenge!

Until next time,
Howie

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Peabody Place construction as of July 22, 2021. At Peabody Place respecting your dignity means keeping you in control and values quality and affordability!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: June 29, 2021. Peabody Place Telephone Changes and Improvements. Today was the busiest day yet!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE June 23, 2021: Electrical Conduits, LNAs, marketing and a call for staff.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE June 8, 2021: Fireproofing, Covid update and accepting new members.

With much appreciation to some great weather, our construction is back on schedule! Today they started to install the roof trusses which will transform the look of the new building from that of a box to that of the Home that it is destined to become. The second and third-level floors have been poured and as soon as the plumbers finish with their drainage lines, the first level floor will be poured as well. I will guess that by the end of next week we will have most of the roof closed in and maybe the first level floor in as well. After that, the framing for the walls begins and things will get busy as all the trades arrive to start their work. Earlier today I posted to Facebook a panoramic photo of our view from the third floor – and it is truly spectacular. Please check it out – and while you are there please ‘Like’ our Facebook Page!

A Marketing Moment

Did you know that you do not have to wait until the new building is done to be able to join us for Assisted Living? Give us a call so that we can explain how making a move sooner instead of later just might be the best thing that you can do for yourself and for your family. We only have a couple of rooms available making it more important than ever to act now instead of later.

Did you know that Peabody Place represents the best value in the Lakes and Three Rivers Region? We are a true not-for-profit that remains committed to staying affordable to as many people as possible. Call us today (934-3718) to find out more!

Dutch Uncle

That’s me, and this is where I offer unsolicited but benevolent advice based on my 40+ years of experience in retirement housing, nursing homes and assisted living centers. I have seen many people put off the move to assisted living for far too long — but I have never seen anyone regret having moved a bit too early. It is hard to leave one’s home — no question about it. But when the time comes, it is better to do so on your terms then it is to have the terms controlled by changing circumstances. I am fortunate in that over the years I have helped to welcome hundreds of people make the transition and almost all blossom shortly after arrival because of increased socialization. Let’s be candid — for many people living alone is not a bowl of cherries. It can lead to loneliness and social isolation. We old Yankee types grew up with the notion that living on our own is always what is best. It is just not true!

And there is more (I can’t resist a soapbox). Assisted Living is oftentimes the best possible insurance you can have to protect you from the need to move to a nursing home. I don’t say that because nursing homes are bad – but I do because nursing homes are a lot more expensive. For many people living in a supportive residential environment (assisted living) – is all they will ever need.

Essentially people have two choices. You can wait until you absolutely, positively have to leave your home – at which time your options could be unavailable, limited or very expensive. Or, you can choose to make the transition on your terms and control the process. I recommend the latter. We are here to help you sort out all of the various options that you have to choose from and there is absolutely no cost or obligation. Whether or not you choose to move, whether or not you choose us if you do – we are here to help. Just give us a call!

Very Special and Caring Individuals Needed!

I am sure you have seen the signs and all the ads in the paper for “Help Wanted,” and we are no exception. The good news is that with such a dedicated staff that position openings are infrequent. Our best staff come from personal referrals and with that in mind, I hope that if you know any LNAs or unlicensed caregivers, that you will suggest to them that they give us a call. We also have a full-time opening in dining services. While we would of course prefer full-time, year-round staff — we would also welcome students for summer-only work.

Covid Update

It has now been over 14 months since we closed the door to open visitation! While we cannot throw that door open wide in the way we would like – we are able to open it a little wider than we have been able to.

It is a bit of a balancing act. We need to abide by the rules/regulations/guidance of the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services and the Center for Disease Control – and we need to protect the emotional well-being of our members and their families. All visits still need to be scheduled in advance, but the frequency of vaccinated visitor visits can increase. Visitors need to plan in advance, sign-in/screen-in just as we continue to do as Staff – and just like Staff visitors will need to wear masks. And there is more, residents can (by prior arrangement) now be taken out with vaccinated family and friends and not have to quarantine upon their return. We have already notified Dairy Queen to expect a sudden rush of customers that they haven’t seen in 14 months. Prior arrangements do have to be made — and the more notice the better. This is a wonderful step in the right direction!
If you have not already done so — please consider getting vaccinated. Nobody is more vulnerable than our members and we want to do everything we can to protect them — and right now the best thing is for us to be vaccinated so that nothing will come between us and getting things back to “normal.”

Wrap Up

Last summer was one where one thing after another was canceled. There was no summer. This year is looking very different as restrictions increasingly are relaxed. Best Wishes to all for a very special Memorial Day Weekend.

Howie