Organizations Promoting Senior Citizen Health Maintenance & Life Enrichment Programs

Heather Marcrum Kathy Phelps Connie Purvis Jennifer Rogers Amelia Tiefenthaler

Merrill Gardens
Independent or assisted apartment living, respite care, retirement communities.

Merrill Gardens
History

Merrill Gardens is owned and operated by Merrill Gardens. Merrill Gardens is a private family company founded in 1993. They have 30 facilities located throughout the Western United States. It is an alternative to traditional retirement housing. It is a resident focused company, which strives to support independent living and decision making of the residents.

Merrill Gardens
Location and environment
Merrill Gardens is surrounded by beautiful trees and landscapes. It is located at 14905 BothellEverett Highway Mill Creek, WA 98012. The community has well-manicured grounds, a courtyard with fountain and an indoor swimming pool. It is located within walking distance to class shopping centers, recreation, public library, and with emergency services less than 4 miles.
Features and amenities:
Number of Units: 203 Private Units Studio Apartments 1-Bedroom Units 2-Bedroom Units Full Kitchen Emergency Call System 24-Hour Staffing Parking Provided Fitness Room/Gym Chapel Services
Swimming Pool Library Comfortable Living Rooms and Social Areas Outside Patio/Gardens Cable/Satellite TV Dedicated Concierge Pet Policy: Small pets allowed Restaurant-Style Dining Anytime Dining Program Private Dining Room

Merrill Gardens
Programs and services
Services provided include: Medication Management (they have LPN onsite 24/7, RN is there Mondays- Fridays during the day and on-call 24/7. During weekends and nights there are caretakers onsite) Help with Activities of Daily Living Transportation to Medical Appointments Other Transportation Provided Weekly linen service Guest Meals Private Laundry Room Service Housekeeping Ambulation and Escort Services Active Living Wellness Program Activities Full-Time Activity Director Stretching, Fitness and Exercise Programs Religious Activities and Services Outings and Trips to Local Attractions Group Games and social events Residents are able to eat at any time of the day as the facility offers Anytime Dining. Residents are welcome to have friends and family as guests in the dining room. Social areas and activity spaces surround the dining area for gatherings. The community has 203 apartments including studios, one and two bedroom floor plans. All apartments include full kitchens and private bathrooms. The apartments are also set up for cable TV and Internet access. Pets are allowed with an initial deposit

Merrill Gardens
Eligibility requirements and fees: Minimum age is 62. They do eligibility assessments to find out the needs of the residents. Costs Minimum Monthly Cost: $1,995 = this is for Independent living and the price goes up from there on a point system based on the needs of the residents. Theres also one time community fee equal to the monthly rent. Private Pay Month-to-Month Rentals Financing Options Available Medicaid/Medicare Not Accepted

Merrill Gardens
Public relations and marketing
The target audience for Merrill Gardens is private payers rather than Medicare patients. They market through the internet: website always includes at least address, photo, list of amenities and services Merrill Gardens has relationships with local hospitals, churches and community groups. Good for public relations and referrals.

Merrill Gardens
Relationships to other agencies

They have about 6 facilities in the Snohomish county areas which routinely shares staff and the residents have outings with the other facilities such as the bowling tournament. They have relationships with local agencies like rehab/skilled nursing facilities regarding a residents post-hospitalization.

Merrill Gardens
Projected needs
The facility will require more RNs and clinical staff over the next 10 years as the Baby Boomers start reaching the age of needing assisted living. May also grow to the point of needing more facilities to keep up with demand.

Utilization of services
The services are for residents only, but guests are allowed.

Eagles Trace
Independent Assisted Living Nursing Care Short- term Rehabilitation Respite Care Memory Care

Eagles Trace
In 1983 John Erickson opened his first retirement community in Catonsville, Maryland. He sought to build a place where seniors on a fixed middle income could live. There are 16 communities in 9 different states. The mission of Erickson Living Community is to change the way Americans view aging by consistently offering services and resources that make growing older something to look forward to.

Eagles Trace
Eagles Trace is located west of Houston at 14703 Eagle Vista Drive in Houston, Texas 77077. It is located on 70 acres of a meticulously manicured campus with the listed amenities on site:
1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments Custom Interior Designs Maintenance- Free Living Priority List Benefits Realty and Moving Services Mah Jongg Opera Appreciation Travel Group Wildlife Habitat Bridge Game Night Habitat for Humanity Investment Interest Group Mexican Train Dominoes Poker Volunteer Tutoring Wine Club French Class Quilting and Needlepoint Club Garden Club Stained Glass

Fitness Water Kickboxing/ Aerobics Pilates/ Yoga Walking Club Zumba Line Dancing Tai Chi Class Interest Groups Book Club Chess Group Green Committee

Eagles Trace

Amenities Two restaurants, both serving a variety of delicious food options All-season pool Fitness center Computer lab with high-speed Internet Creative arts studio Billiards and games room Hair salon and barber shop Music/Classroom Resident-run library Woodworking and hobby shop

Essential services are also available: An on-site medical center staffed by full time physicians 24-hour maintenance and an around-the-clock security staff trained in emergency first response On-site pharmacy, offering free delivery right to your doorstep Convenience store, bank and ATM

Eagles Trace

Depending on apartment choices monthly fees can vary from $1250-$2155 Pay yearly Monthly rent Financial Assistance Medicare accepted for medical and pharmacy services

Eagles Trace
Corporate Citizenship differentiates Eagles Trace from other Houston area retirement communities in that the residents actively give back to the community through time spent doing volunteer work and financial donation.

Eagles Trace

Eagles Trace markets to the middle income aging population. They market through the internet: the website provides information on apartment choices, amenities, financial options, activities and a vast amount of photos. There is a free brochure that can be requested through the website. The website includes resident testimonials. Merrill Gardens has relationships with local hospitals, churches and community groups. Good for public relations and referrals. A site visit is easily scheduled through the website. The staff were very welcoming, kind and informative during the site visit.

Eagles Trace
Eagles Trace currently has a staff comprised of physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, RNs, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians, and social workers. As the aging population increases in numbers the need for more retirement communities will increase. But communities that offer a continued independent lifestyle will be more and more in demand.

Eagles Trace
Eagles Trace provides family/ friend visits with the residents. Respite care is provided for traveling families for a monthly fee. The salon, fitness center, store, bank and spa are open to the community for a nominal fee. The walking trails and groups are open to the public. The on-site medical center and pharmacy is available and accepts Medicare.

Mandarin Senior Center

The Mandarin Senior Center is one of eighteen community senior centers located throughout Jacksonville, FL organized to fit the health maintenance and life-enrichment program needs of active ambulatory adults 60 years or older. Complete listing of all eighteen locations can be found either by internet at coj.net or in the local telephone book. Each center is unique in program opportunities and activities for senior citizens looking to be active in maintaining own health.

Mandarin Senior Center

The city of Jacksonville public affairs established senior community centers more than thirty years ago in an original effort to provide meals to senior citizens. Now the centers offer abundant resources that are approved through the citys public affairs department and range from meals, fitness, and special interest or education programs requested by its senior members. Mandarin Senior Center has an active membership of 435 seniors and averages 110 daily attendance of participating seniors. Visiting, out of town, or local seniors may attend at any time at any location for any amount of time. Participation can be of any choice(s) of interest.

Mandarin Senior Center

Located at 3848 Hartley Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257 this center offers an active health promoting environment with its activities and programs. Weekly activities, monthly special events calendar, and meals menu can be viewed via internet or at center. Calendar includes both dates and times. Listed current programs and services currently include computer classes, ceramics, bible study, exercise classes, billiards, canasta, Mah Jongg, line dancing classes, shuffle board, bingo, bridge, double pinochle, blood pressure, yoga stretch classes, bowling trip, farmers market trip, bread store trips, Jacksonville Landing trip, SHINE advisor, shopping store trips, football party, presentation by AmeriLife and Health Services, blood glucose screening, presentation by Universal Health Care and Medicare Advantage, mall trip, indoor pool trip, presentation by Naturist, birthday celebration, scavenger hunt, senior prom, and senior matinee movie trip. Available daily includes breakfast, lunch, puzzles, board games, horse shoes, shuffle board, and cards.

Mandarin Senior Center

Eligibility requirement is any individual at least 60 years old that is ambulatory and active. Address is not pertinent, however free transportation is available to only inside Jacksonville city. 99% of activities, programs, and services do not cost seniors anything, including meals, health education, and most recreational activities. Special interest classes requested by members, requiring a professional are available at a minimal cost. For example, computer classes for 10 weeks is $5 or line dancing lessons are $2. While meals are free, donations are accepted too. Coordination is made in conjunction with Make a Scene Downtown, 12 annual events hosted by the city of Jacksonville for active seniors at no cost for attendance.

Mandarin Senior Center

Fundraisers are held continuously, and are the main source of income making this particular center monetarily stable. Local, state, and federal grants provide as a source of income. Volunteers contributing time and knowledge in specific fields, such as nurses performing educational programs, also contributes to services available to seniors at no cost. Background checks are necessary for volunteering.

Mandarin Senior Center

The Mandarin Senior Center needs more space for the utilization of its members. The trend of inflation of elderly population and health maintenance as led to accommodating large numbers in a small building. Varying from center to center, partnerships are made throughout surrounding community. For instance, local schools provide nursing students to perform a variety of educational programs at Mandarin Senior Center.

Experts in a variety of fields are needed to for special requested information or activities. Professionals willing to donate time is a constant challenge. Mandarin Senior Center would benefit from evidence-based practices services delivered by professional nurses with expertise of health issues such as pulmonary disease, diabetes, and nutrition.

Janet Goeske Center

Our mission: to be the predominant senior advocacy group and assistance provider in Southern California

Janet Goeske Center

Opened on May 18, 1984 and founded by Janet Goeske Operated by the Janet Goeske Foundation, a non-profit corporation. 60% is funded by grants & sponsors and 40% is funded by donations and membership fees Expanded an additional 12,000 square feet in 2003 to make the center 24,000 square feet Has a board of directors, 8 full-time staff members, and 200 volunteers.

Janet Goeske Center

Located in the city of Riverside Centrally located to shopping centers, churches, restaurants, and the historic Mission Inn Senior housing available within walking distance Raincross Senior Village for 55+ independent living & Raincross at Riverside for assisted living are 0.4mi away

Janet Goeske Center

The center provides a comprehensive program of classes, services, and activities developed to promote physical and mental fitness and encourage social engagement. The center provides advocacy for both housing and transportation issues and challenges as related to implications for seniors.

Janet Goeske Center

Examples include, yoga, Tai Chi, zumba, pilates, strength training/stretching, water aerobics, arts & crafts, bingo, computer & dance classes, movies, table games, & billiards.

Janet Goeske Center

Comprehensive nutrition program to educate on balanced nutrition and disease prevention Health Seminars: health insurance counseling & advocacy, natural health modalities lecture series, AARP tax service, & transportation access Support groups: bereavement, veterans, living with a chronic disease such as diabetes, parkinsons, or after suffering a heart attack or stroke

Janet Goeske Center

Resident of the City of Riverside Age 50 and over $20.00 annual membership fee that covers the cost of all classes, activities, and seminars (costs for trips and overnight excursions vary and are at a marginal cost)

Janet Goeske Center

Several sites and media are used for advertising, such as: Inland Empire Magazine The Press Enterprise & Orange County Register Newspapers www.calcarenet.ca.gov www.eldercarechannel.com The Yellow Pages Facebook

Janet Goeske Center

Corporate Sponsors include:

Partners include: Stater Bros. Kiwanis Club of Riverside Riverside County Office of Aging Second Harvest Food Bank of Riverside

Janet Goeske Center

Financial support through donations, grants, and corporate sponsors continues to be a challenge and a projected need in the future.

Volunteers are always welcomed and needed

Janet Goeske Center

The center is open 7 days a week and welcomes seniors from the community, as well as neighboring communities whether a member or not.

References

J. Backfifch (personal communication, July 20, 2012) Mandarin Senior Center K. Batiste (personal communication, July 17, 2012) Merrill Gardens Mandarin Senior Center. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.coj.net/departments/special-services/senior-services/community-and-senior-centers/mandarinsenior-center,-3848-hartley-road.aspx Merrill Gardens at Mill Creek. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.merrillgardens.com/assisted_living/Mill_Creek_WA/zip_98012/merrill_gardens/3283