Improving Your Credit Score by Amelia Brown
“Home to a thriving arts culture and vast local cuisine, seniors enjoy retiring in Richmond, where days can be spent roaming the various outdoor markets, art exhibits, and music festivals, and sports loving retirees enjoy their days on the multitude of golf courses and watching the NASCAR races. To help seniors in Richmond find the assisted living community that’s right for their family, we’ve researched and compiled in-depth information about the cost of care, how to pay for care, and important local laws and regulations involving senior care and assisted living. Continue Reading. (Provided by: Caring.com, Shirley Turner. Community Outreach and Senior Advocate (800) 204-7132)”
On a personal note, my mother lives at Carriage Hill Acclaim, which was recently taken over by new management. Some of the changes have been good, and they have budgeted for many needed repairs. However, BH Management, which has never owned a 55+ community was planning on doing away with the personal gardens, which, as you can imagine caused quite a stir. They have since changed their minds due to resident feedback. Because I like the letter I wrote I am pasting it in this blog:
“ I recently spoke with Bethany and she gave me your email to discuss some concerns I have as a daughter of a resident, and that many of the residents have concerns about. Bethany was fabulous and very helpful, and it does sound like there are a lot of very good improvements that will be happening, and some more activities (which is why we helped her to move here).
One of the largest concerns that could have depressing effects in a 55+ community where the average age is in the 70s is what is purported to happen with individuals gardens. Assuming your company has owned facilities with this demographic before, you should be well aware that gardening is one of the last independent things one can do. It creates a sense of purpose, a connection to nature, and hones one sense of Home and Beauty. I joked with my mom that she needs a shirt that says, "I don't drink, I GARDEN!" And she does have a magical garden at Carriage Hill that the other residents enjoy. Granted, it exceeds her "mulched" part by the patio, but Jeff allowed her this privilege, and it will be a great loss to see it go. Not just for her, but for those that love her, and those that enjoy it. Her neighbor is in her nineties and spends most of her time sleeping and in need of help, but she can still get out there and garden. What happens to her when this is taken away? To all of them? A vegetable garden with a walk of 5-10 minutes away is not an option for many residents that are ambulatorily challenged. A flower garden that is not at their home can not bring joy upon arriving home, or joy when looking out their window at their own work. A "patio" garden takes up most of the patio and does not involve truly being with the earth. While satisfying for some, it does not nearly create the same benefits for others.
90% of your residences do not venture to beautify the front of their mulched section and patio, but to prohibit this would be unfair and unkind. In assuming management of Carriage Hill you are also assuming its residents into your care at a time in their life where they have already lost much or cannot perform like before.
Many of these gardens bring in much needed wildlife, like bees and butterflies, as well. Living in a world that is quickly becoming endangered and unsuitable for life of future generations, it would be almost a crime to strip it away.
Not Bethany, but the other young adult that spoke with me, mentioned several times how Gaudy some of the gardens were. Firstly, that is a relative comment, and not a very productive way to frame one's argument. I suggested some guidelines maybe, allowing people to keep their gardens, but maybe setting up a best practices.
Carriage Hill has plenty of green space for BHM to make their mark and stamp with their aesthetic. There is already so much beautiful landscaping, plants, and the life they support there, that I do hope you don't try to re-invent the wheel too much.
Overall, I think that much of what is happening will be for the better, and we all know change creates resistance. Just please change thoughtfully.
Below is a link to gardening and elders. Please be mindful of this and give it the respect and consideration it deserves.
Health-Benefits-of-Gardening-for-Seniors
.’....The health benefits of gardening for seniors are even more significant in different ways. Gardening is empowering; it helps build physical strength, improves motor functioning, eases stress, and encourages positive mental well-being. ... It also helps decrease the amount of cortisol in your body, a stress hormone’
Sincerely, Rebecca”
Other Resources: Caring.com, https://www.assistedliving.org/
https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/virginia/richmond
https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/longtermcare/resources.html
retireguide.com/medicare/
retireguide.com/medicare/coverage/caregivers/
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