Endless Options
Check out these nine great retirement choices
Choosing a retirement home can be difficult – especially when there are as many excellent options as exist in southeastern Wisconsin.
THREE PILLARS
There is something special about being a nonprofit, mission-based organization serving seniors for over 110 years. “We focus on mission first, and that mission focuses on our residents,” says Kelsey Pangborn, communications specialist at Three Pillars Senior Living Communities.
People at the Dousman facility know that today’s generation of older adults is savvy, smart and sophisticated, Pangborn says. “They like options, amenities, comfort and enrichment, and they deserve the very best in retirement living.”
As for the care, she says: “Our full continuum of care provides levels that evolve with our residents as their needs change over time. Catered care and service packages allow us to deliver just what the resident needs, at a fair cost to them.”
Educational, social and leisure offerings enhance the lifestyle of residents, she says. A wellness facility has equipment and programming for mature adults. Restaurant options offer opportunities to explore a variety of nutritious foods.
WRIGHT HOUSE
Wright House Senior Living believes that addressing the whole person is the key to quality of life. The facility’s memory care community (open now) offers specialized and customized care for those living with cognitive challenges. “We understand the importance of allowing residents to have as much freedom and independence as possible while preserving their safety and dignity,” says Pam Lidington, director of marketing.
Wright House’s care team partners with families to learn each resident’s life story, past daily routines and preferences.
With a building designed to best serve memory-impaired seniors and with a staff trained in the CARES Dementia Basics and Advanced Care program, Wright House asserts that seniors there are getting the best memory support available.
In spring the Wright House campus will be completed, with 60 RCAC units for both “independent plus” and assisted living residents. With patios, a bistro, a pub, exercise areas, a chapel and more, Wright House Senior Living Campus will offer person-centered care and health services as residents’ needs change.
LAUREATE GROUP
For over 40 years, Laureate Group has been helping older adults and their families manage the challenges of aging. Laureate Group is a local, family-owned business that operates eight senior communities in greater Milwaukee with independent and assisted living, as well as compassionate dementia care.
Adele Lund, director of community and business relations, has seen how families struggle to understand the maze of long-term care services. “Having so much knowledge and experience,” she says, Laureate created a free telephone consultation to answer questions about senior services. “With Laureate Cares, you get to speak with someone who has 20 or more years of long-term-care experience. They’ll help you to better understand and put context to your circumstances, identify options and determine the steps necessary to make a good decision. No sales pitch, just someone who is able to help you set a course to meet your needs.”
A phone call to Laureate Cares at 262832-7113 can be of assistance, Lund says.
WHEATON FRANCISCAN HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE
As part of Ascension at Home, this homecare team delivers health-care services
throughout southeastern Wisconsin, all centered on patients. Home care is for those in need of assistance due to illness, injury or surgery. It can be an alternative to an extended hospital stay and prevent hospital readmissions.
Wheaton Franciscan’s home care team offers services including: hospice and in-home nursing; social work; physical, occupational and speech/language therapy; infusion therapy; and telemonitoring, which employs a small device set up in your home to check your blood pressure, weight, heart rate and blood oxygen level. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies provide funding for physician-ordered home care services.
For end-of-life care, Wheaton Franciscan Hospice offers a support system of professional staff and volunteers who help patient and family meet physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
CAPRI SENIOR COMMUNITIES
Wisconsin-based Capri Senior Communities provide residents the convenience of living in the neighborhoods where they’ve worked, raised their families, built friendships and now retired.
“Family is at the heart of what we do,” says Cindy Robinson, director of sales and marketing. “We want our residents to be as independent as possible while maintaining safety in a caring environment.”
Robinson advises families to be well informed, as choosing a retirement home is an important decision. When seeking a community, speak to the executive and lifestyle directors, care staff and even residents and their families, to ensure
expectations will be met. Residents of Capri enjoy independent and assisted living in apartments with amenities, programming and socialization opportunities. Several locations offer memory care, and the wellness program has a wide range of activities.
BROOKDALE BROOKFIELD
With the number of people in Wisconsin with Alzheimer’s expected to increase over 18% in the coming decade, an assisted living and dementia care community is introducing a special program to slow the disease’s progression for those in its early stages.
Brookdale Brookfield, a senior living community, is now offering Clare Bridge Crossings. The new program is part of a $1 million project at the community that also included extensive renovations.
Brookdale developed Clare Bridge Crossings based on the newest findings about the disease. “Research shows that programs tailored to people in the initial phase can make a big difference in sustaining their abilities and possibly delaying advancement of the disease,” said Juliet Holt Klinger, Brookdale’s senior director of dementia care.
Clare Bridge Crossings residents take part daily in activities that engage them mentally, socially and physically. The new program encompasses 30 apartments at Brookdale Brookfield.
EASTCASTLE PLACE
Eastcastle Place, a senior living community on Milwaukee’s East Side, has been a fixture in the neighborhood for more than 130 years.
Eastcastle’s independent living promises a carefree lifestyle with wellness programming, abundant activities and opportunities to continue learning and exploring. Amenities include restaurant-style, chef-prepared meals; an aquatic center, spa and fitness center; beauty salon and barber shops; fully-stocked library; a creative arts studio; free Wi-Fi; concierge services and more.
All levels of care are offered. The Health Center provides assisted living, memory support, rehabilitation and skilled care. The center recently had its second consecutive deficiency-free survey by the Division of Quality Assurance, Wisconsin Department of Health, and an impressive ranking by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Eastcastle Place is at 2505 E. Bradford Ave. in Milwaukee. For more, call 414-2191398 or visit EastcastlePlace.com.
ALWAYS BEST CARE
Always Best Care is located in Brookfield and provides experienced, dedicated and compassionate caregivers to assist in the homes of older or disabled adults. Always Best Care started in 1996 and in 2010 became locally owned by Colleen and Tom Foley, both Wauwatosa natives.
“What sets us apart is that we are truly a 24-hour operation with the ability to do same-day scheduling,” says Colleen Foley, executive director. “We will do assessments days, nights, weekends and holidays, and if it’s an emergency, we will
get the scheduling done the same day.”
Foley says ABC provides excellent, supervised care. “We have two full-time geriatric care social workers who are always in touch with our clients, making sure they have the proper care and resources to stay in their homes safely.”
Always Best Care has 180 committed employees, Foley says.
SAINT JOHN’S ON THE LAKE
Saint John’s On The Lake is known for its robust programming for residents, including more fitness activities than can fit in a day. There are activities for everyone, including “Splash Time” – family swim time for grandkids in the warm-water pool three days per week.
LifeStreams is a collaborative approach to personal wellness encompassing six dimensions – spiritual, physical, emotional, social, vocational and intellectual. Residents take the lead in their health and wellness, with staff serving in support.
Programs, lectures and concerts are driven by residents, who also share their talents and interests with each other; the staff simply facilitates programs. There is freedom to take in what you like, to try new things (or not).
History lessons, public policy forums, political debates, environmental discussions, social concerns, concerts, recitals and more fill Saint John’s calendar with over 200 events per month. And Saint John’s collaboration with the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend allows residents and the community to enjoy a new exhibit at MOWA On The Lake, on Saint John’s main floor, every three months.