Your story continues here.
Vibrant Living. Each life has a unique history that adds to the richness of the communities that we create together at Living Well Residences. Honoring the past while providing dignity, personalized support and holistic wellness in the present is at the heart of everything we do.
Finding purpose and everyday joys are essential to living vibrantly. Our residents have the ability to choose which activities, events and outings they would like to participate in while receiving encouragement and support as they do. Whether it is tending the resident and volunteer gardens, taking a yoga class or participating in a game or activity with a friend, Living Well residents have a large variety of daily activities to keep their mind active, their body moving and their social engagement plentiful.
What impressed me about Living Well was the comfortable home like environment and the holistic approach to aging and care Living Well supports. Living Well’s activities are designed to effect their innovative holistic approach to caring for vulnerable elders like: an organic vegetable garden where they grow many of their foods, elders choosing to “pitch in” to help with chores like help prep a meal, day excursions to go fish, the drumming circle. Such life at Living Well. Such care to the details in keeping the environment clean, green and joyful.
After about a year of staying at Living Well I began to notice profound changes. First of all as a result of doctors determining her medication levels were incorrect, she began to become more coherent. This was a result of Living Well making sure she was being cared for properly. Mom on a long term basis tends to be antisocial, however I have seen significant friendships develop with both staff and residents of Living Well.
I have worked with Living Well Care Home of Bristol, Vermont, and its residents in the capacity of Activities Director for over five years. During this time I have witnessed and supported Living Well’s core mission of bringing integrative approaches to the health and well being of elders in its care. Art activities for Living Well’s residents range from planting, tending and harvesting its organic gardens, to the wellness practices of meditation, Tai Chi and chair yoga. The visual arts of photography, painting and collage and a high quality music program also benefit the residents in deepening their social connection and emotional well being. Finally, both as a staff member and as residents’ council facilitator, I have observed and participated in the process of Dynamic Governance, Living Well’s unique approach to ongoing responsive improvement of its many programs. Time and again I have seen residents’ ideas, interests and concerns met with proactive interest. It is a privilege to live and grow in community with Living Well’s staff and residents. I wholeheartedly endorse Living Well’s mission of providing sustainable, integrative approaches to health and well being and any funding efforts which would further this mission.
Very pleasant environment. Love they have activities for the residents and work to keep residents active physically and mentally. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. Staff are always very respectful, caring, and social with residents. It’s a place where staff know all the residents by name and always address them by first name, which my Mom even commented on. It’s very convenient to have a kitchenette on each floor so family can have a cup of tea or coffee when visiting their family member. Staff are easy to communicate with for family members.
It has been a week since our family met with you about a number of issues pertaining to Dad’s current care. I wanted you to know how grateful we all are for the time that you spent with us in answering our questions and in problem-solving to find ways to help Dad through his current health difficulties. It was useful for us to understand our options as we plan the most appropriate care for our parents in their final days. You were patient and thorough with us and we are grateful.
It has been a week since our family met with you about a number of issues pertaining to Dad’s current care. I wanted you to know how grateful we all are for the time that you spent with us in answering our questions and in problem-solving to find ways to help Dad through his current health difficulties. It was useful for us to understand our options as we plan the most appropriate care for our parents in their final days. You were patient and thorough with us and we are grateful.
I also want to go beyond the thank you for the meeting to let you know that we are very grateful for what Heaton Woods has given to our parents. Heaton Woods has become a big family for them and they often express to us their gratefulness for the generous and caring staff. When they entered, several years ago it was difficult to envision that they would make such an easy transition from independent living to assisted living; it is a credit to all of you for being able to assimilate two such independent-minded individuals.
This environment gives a resident their own space and privacy yet gives them the comfort that someone is always there for them when or if they need help. I have seen my family member smile more and get back her humor. Though you hear “boy, this is a long hallway” the smile is knowing she can now walk that distance and actually laugh about it. With the level of care staff provide with my loved one, they have been able to improve and maintain a more comfortable level of health. I love meeting and speaking with other residents there. Amazing staff, amazing residents.
It is clear that your staff and administration strive hard to create a safe, homelike and comfortable environment for residents. The home, its furnishings and program offerings are exemplary, as is the emphasis on gardening and eating fresh local foods. I was particularly impressed with Ethan Allen’s participation in the Helping and Nurturing Diverse Seniors and Vermont Community Garden Network joint program. Equally beneficial for residents are the diverse program offerings: walking, yard games, drumming, creating, classical music, poetry and spiritual offerings. The program is clearly designed to nurture the whole person and as such I believe it is a model for residential care.
My mother has lived at Ethan Allen for almost one year. She moved there after living at two other facilities, following an incident that required a facility and staff that can offer total care. Anyone reading this is aware that the long term care system in our state has challenges. The acceptance process at Ethan Allen was detailed, thorough and professional. The Wellness staff promised the ability to care for my mother and provide her with a better quality of life. They have delivered on that promise, and then some. The philosophies and care direction at Ethan Allen have been important in making us feel like mom is not at a hospital-like institution, but rather being cared for in a more intimate home environment. They have taken the time to learn about her as a person; her likes and dislikes; and they strive to make the years that she has left as happy as possible. The ratio of care providers to residents is great and assistance is provided swiftly when necessary. The food at Ethan Allen is simple, nutritious and organic. The activities and events have made my mother feel included and are modified as needed due to her physical and mental challenges. They include music therapy, art and exercise classes, as well as daily second cup conversations over coffee. If you are exploring potential options for a parent or loved one in an assisted living facility or long-term care facility, do yourself the benefit of contacting EAR. I know my mother’s story is not unique, and I would be happy to share the factors involved in making our decision for my mother.
