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Respite is a subset of our assisted living community at
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By Anne-Gerard Flynn
tailor a plan that best meets their needs,” Martin adds, emphasizing the high stanGlenmeadow, located in Longmeadow, has proudly dard of care provided to all residents. served as a nonprofit senior Anyone over the age of 62 is living community for over 140 years, dedicated to eneligible to move into assisted riching the lives of individuliving if they meet the full crials aged 62 and older. Known teria. Traditionally, prospective residents need assistance for its warm, welcoming environment, Glenmeadow with at least two activities of daily living, such as dressfeatures 113 independent living apartments and a vari- ing, bathing, or transferring. ety of amenities, including a “Respite care residents must meet the same criteria,” Marstate-of-the-art Vitality Hub with a pool and fitness center, tin notes. “While we don’t as well as engaging program- provide extensive medical ming designed to meet each residents’ overall wellness needs, based on their individual preferences. In addition to independent living, Glenmeadow offers 34 assisted living apartments, providing a comprehensive experience for residents. Respite care is a new addition to the community, serving as a supportive bridge for those evaluating full-time residency. “Respite care is a subset of our assisted living offerings,” said Glenmeadow President and Chief Executive Officer Kathy Martin. “It is designed as a resource for older adults care, in assisted living we do offer medication administrawho may need a short stay tion by a licensed nurse 24 ranging from a minimum of 30 days up to 60 days. This hours a day and assistance offering is ideal for someone with daily living needs.” As the holiday season apwho has been discharged from the hospital or from a proaches, families often come rehabilitation facility but who together, and this can prompt meaningful conversations is not ready to immediately about care needs. “During return home for a variety of reasons.” this time, families may notice This offering not only meets changes in their loved ones, a vital need but can also serve leading them to consider as a trial period for residents additional support,” Martin and their families to considobserves. “We are here to assist families in exploring both er long-term assisted living long-term assisted living and options. “Care is primarily private pay, and if a resident short-term respite options.” requires a stay longer than 60 The respite care apartments are conveniently located near days, we work closely with the country kitchen, where them and their families to Special to The Republican
(ABOVE PHOTO COURTESY OF WAVEBREAK3 / STOCK.ADOBE.COM)
residents have easy access to staff providing residents with full access to community programs and services. “The demand for respite care is increasing, and research indicates that 70% of residents who start in respite care choose to transition to long-term residency,” Martin shares. Glenmeadow is committed to supporting families navigating these important decisions. “Tours of Glenmeadow provide an educational opportunity for
sessions to demystify cognitive decline and dementia for residents. “Residents arrive at Glenmeadow through various pathways,” Martin explains. “Some recognize the need for assisted living due to their care requirements, while others transition from independent living as their needs evolve. This flexibility is a key benefit of being part of a continuing care retirement community.” Ultimately, Glenmeadow’s mission is to empower all res-
Glenmeadow’s wide range of programming, with many participating in morning exercise sessions followed by engaging activities such as jewelry-making classes or lectures. Recently, one resident, a Shakespearean scholar, presented a talk on ‘King Lear.’ “One of the advantages of a community like Glenmeadow is its focus on socialization and focus on belonging, which help residents to flourish,” said Martin, citing longterm research from Harvard that shows “the No. 1 predic-
one another.” Glenmeadow currently has 140 residents and Martin, many of whom highlight the dining programs as a highlight. Martin said that she “can confidently say residents enjoy the quality food choices that are impeccably prepared and beautifully presented.” “We have our more formal Terraceside Restaurant, which is exclusively for dinner,” Martin said. “We also have the Chestnut Knoll Dining Room which serves a hot breakfast along with lunch and dinner, and the Doorstop Lounge which serves a continental breakfast, lunch and more casual dinner options. Residents can also do takeout for dinner in their apartment.” The menus are thoughtfully crafted to strike a balance between heart-healthy, low-sodium choices, comforting favorites, and enticing upscale entrees. “One of our recent menus featured dishes like shrimp scampi, Prime Rib Au Jus, stuffed peppers, and Glenmeadow President and Chief Executive Officer Chicken Francaise, alongside Kathy Martin classic options like spaghetti (ABOVE PHOTO COURTESY OF GLENMEADOW) with marinara sauce,” Martin families,” Martin emphasizes. idents, whether in indepentor of longevity is the quality notes. “Our menu rotates every seven days, ensuring “We guide each prospective dent or assisted living, to live of social relationships.” there’s always something new resident and their families in as independently and fully as Martin said one of the as well as familiar favorites.” understanding the differenc- possible. “Our assisted living “most important aspects” As a nonprofit organization es among various options, apartments are designed to to her about Glenmeadow is governed by a board of direcincluding assisted living and foster comfort, community, the integrated nature of the tors, Glenmeadow operates independent living. and dignity,” Martin affirms, community. While Glenmeadow does underscoring Glenmeadow’s “All residents have access to with an entrance and monthnot have a traditional memcommitment to compassion- the same three dining venues ly service fee, providing a range of in-home services ory care unit, its staff are ate care and support through- and to all programs – we do to the Greater Springfield well-trained to support resiout its 140-year history. not segregate programs as area. The H-shaped comdents experiencing cognitive “Our apartments in assisted just for independent living plex, which spans 23 acres decline. “We believe in early living are wonderful,” Martin or just for assisted living,” intervention and providing said. “We have one- bedroom Martin said. “We are a small in Longmeadow, opened in 1997, founded as a nonprofit ongoing support through our and two-bedroom options, enough community that we in 1884 on Main Street in wellness programming,” says most with a kitchenette rath- can do that and that kind Springfield; Glenmeadow is Martin. Education remains er than a full kitchen because of integration is especially the longest-standing senior a priority at Glenmeadow, in assisted living all meals important. We don’t want living community in Massawith local experts, including are included in the monthly anyone to feel labeled - we chusetts. a geriatrician from Baystate service fee.” want all our residents to Health, offering quarterly Residents benefit from flourish and to connect with
“The demand for respite care is on the increase and national research shows that 70% of residents who begin in respite care end up staying as long-term residents.”