Think back to the first time you heard the word “Pandemic”. Did you understand it? Did you begin asking questions? Did it frighten you? Journeys of the unknown are daunting and stressful, especially when lives are at stake and significant demands are placed on our behavior. When the world went quiet, social isolation changed our reality.
The senior housing industry was one of the first where the spread of infection and loss of life was reported. While most 2020 statistics highlighted long-term care communities, people’s perception was harsh to the broader industry, whether you were a 55+ active adult, 62+ with services, assisted living, or memory care community. It was up to each and every community to do their part to allay fears.
Communities worked at warp speed to align with authorities on the Pandemic subject matter and develop risk mitigation protocols. This included modifying amenities & hospitality services, visitor and move policies, and emergency response processes. Communities also elevated communication tactics so residents and families felt more well-connected and informed; including expanded use of technology for virtual and social media outreach.
So, how did these communities perform? The answer lies in you asking them. At RosePointe, results from a September 2020 Resident Satisfaction Survey drew high marks and glowing resident testimonials. In addition, 20 new-resident move-ins took place between March 2020 and January 2021 and the resident community remains Covid-free.
Joan Claesgens moved to RosePointe in August 2020 from Center City, MN. Daughter, Kate Hunt, had found RosePointe on the internet and loved the community from the get-go. Joan’s story of transition illuminates there was much more to Joan’s life than Covid and RosePointe delivered favorably on that. Joan’s story follows…
Moving in the time of Covid was scary to me. However, my rational self finally prevailed, thanks to my daughter, Kate, who had found RosePointe and was over-the-top enthusiastic. She could not say enough about the location, in a park-like setting, the quiet, the residents, the enriching programs, and more. After touring the apartment selections, the grounds (which houses a pond, geese, and ducks), and meeting staff and residents, I was sold. I found my new home.
Now, the trick was leaving my partner of 20 years, my home on a lake, my dog, my cat, my neighbors, and the community. My partner had advanced dementia, plus additional health issues. He could not do anything for himself or remember a discussion that took place only 6 minutes ago. Trying to manage my house, pets and my sweet man finally broke me. I ended up in the hospital with heart failure.
My two sons, daughter Kate, and their spouses stepped in and said, “ENOUGH!! You are coming home to St. Paul.” So, Kate arranged for my partner to go to his family, adopted my senior dog, and picked me up, and moved me to this remarkable home.
The independent community residence had above-average guidelines to keep us safe during Covid. Mask wearing, social distancing, and limits on the number in group functions, to name a few. I joined the book club first. Then the Great Courses Lecture Series, A Smithsonian Tour through American History. For the rest of summer and fall, we had musical groups perform outside on the lawn. Bingo is starting again in February and I am excited because it has always been fun for me.
As I sit in my treehouse on the 4th floor, I reflect on what a gift it is to be here. My heart beats on…and it is full of joy. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Home-Finder Fairy.”
If you would like to talk more about RosePointe independent senior living community and whether it might be a good fit for you, please contact Jana Mazie, Sales and Marketing Director, at jmazie@pointesliving.com or call 651-628-8562.