Emerson House

With a resident capacity of I believe 35 to 40, I like that this is a smaller facility but still large enough to employ more staff members for a great staff to resident ratio, and the residents still receive many of the perks that much larger facilities offer to their residents. It is a perfect capacity for an memory care facility, as memory care residents need more time and attention, so this type of capacity allows for the staff to be able to give them each that type of one-on-one care, to meticulously and efficiently meet their daily needs in every way, and take the time to REALLY get to know the residents (which in turn is very beneficial in caring for them and gaining their trust). The facility also offers adult day services and respite care.

Because of the number of residents, I am usually able to finish up speaking with all of them over the course of a 2 day visit, which is really nice, because I can see how all of them are feeling at a particular time. In large facilities some times I am only able to finish speaking with half of the residents over a 2 day visit and then I, unfortunately, have to save the other have for my next visit which is usually 3 months after. So I like that I can walk into a facility like Emerson House and usually have everything wrapped up during that same visit, it's a lot better for the residents that way, especially when something important is happening around the facility, I want to be able to hear every residents feelings about the situation, and not just from half of them.

The residents here, mostly, only have great things to say about the facility, the care provided, and the staff. There have been a few issues in the past, involving some errors being made regarding resident care plans, but those have been quickly resolved and resolved in a way that regained the trust of the residents and family members involved. That's one thing about this facility that I really like, if something goes wrong or if a resident becomes angry or upset about something, the management takes all of the concerns very seriously, they don't just sweep them under the rug, or shelf them to be dealt with at a later time - they jump in head first and they don't stop until they come to a resolution that pleases all parties. It's hard to find a facility who one, is big enough to admit when their wrong, and second, a facility where the complaints mean more to them then the compliments as they use the complaints as a valuable tool in learning to be better. Emerson House does just that and to me, that says that they have the kind of integrity which is difficult to come by in this industry. That's one thing the residents always tell me, they say that if they are concerned about something they know that they will be taken seriously and that the staff will go above and beyond to satisfy the residents. The residents also tell me that they can trust the staff in a way that they can trust their own families, they say that if something happens whether it is an emergency with a resident or the facility itself, they know that the staff members will protect them and take care of the situation. They say that they sleep peacefully at night knowing that a staff member is right outside their door willing to deal with any situation that comes along in a calm, take-charge, professional manner. Family members also tell me how awesome it is knowing that their loved one's are in such caring and capable hands. I have spent a lot of time watching the staff work and interact with the residents and they do provide each resident with individualized care and attention, they are great with the residents in listening to them, supporting them, encouraging them, and just being there for them through thick and thin. It is easy to see that the staff really care about the residents and it's not just a job for them.

The facility itself is nice, I like how they split up the care levels between 2 floors. They have it so the residents needing more care are on the 2nd floor and the more active residents, requiring less care, are housed on the 3rd floor. It makes it easier in caring for the residents and helps in preventing errors in care or treatment. Each floor also has activities, programs, events, etc. that are appropriate for each particular care level. Then the 1st floor is the common area, which they call the Residential Area, with the dining room, living room, Adult Day Care, Respite Care, etc. I always see lots of residents hanging out in the living room, it seems to be the gathering area of the facility, most of the residents seem very social - so it's a cozy and safe place for them to go where they are able to chat with one another. There is also an activity room on this floor as well that the residents enjoy doing their hobbies, arts and crafts, puzzles, and such in. There is also a really cool balcony off of the lobby where residents can safely go and feel as if they are outside, there are watering cans so they can water the plants as well, it is a great for a memory care facility to offer something like this. There are a few maintenance issues that I noticed during my first visit over 4 years ago that still remain untouched to this day, and I know that the maintenance department is aware because I've told them so I don't know why they have gone unfixed for so long. I do know, however, that if there are maintenance issues in the residents apartments that they are taken care of quickly, so I guess that's what's important. I suppose I should also mention that the unrepaired issues are NOT issues that jeopardize resident safety or put the residents in unhealthy living conditions, they are small issues. I just think that they need to be fixed because since I noticed them - family members, visitors, and residents could notice them and it's not a great impression if people think that maintenance issues do not get fixed and it could also worry them in thinking that if the staff can't take care of the building how are they going to take care of the residents... Believe me, even the tiniest issue can lead to that train of thought, I have seen it happen. People get really nervous about the thought of themselves or their loved one's moving in to senior living, so there minds tend to single out every little flaw in the facility and turn them in to potential disasters, so it's important that a facility have all it's ducks in a row - and their appearance happens to be a big "duck". Other than that, I like the look of the facility, it is spacious and clean, the windows allow in natural light which brings a cheerfulness to the facility, and the common areas are very warm and cozy feeling, very home-like.

The activities offered are very creative and memory care appropriate. The staff spends a lot of time with the residents assisting them in various exercises and therapies that are actually fun for the residents. The type of exercise and therapy that are easy and rewarding and not boring and difficult where the residents become easily frustrated. And, let me tell you, the BEST part of watching the staff assist the residents with these things is when the resident is finished, or accomplishes something new, or reaches a milestone - they celebrate and not with just a weak "woo-hoo!" and a high-five, I mean they REALLY celebrate! There are woo-hoo's and high-fives but they are full of vigor accompanied by hugs, dancing, and other things. The staff are really great at making the residents feel special and proud of themselves. The facility has a lot of hands-on items laying throughout for the residents to explore which helps in stimulating their minds. It is beneficial to have items that the residents can touch, see, smell, etc., items that require using multiple senses at the same time. They also do a lot with artwork and music, which are known as tools that can help the residents better express their thoughts, feelings. They can help in triggering memories, and they are very soothing to memory care residents. One of my favorite types of memory care therapy is pet therapy. I am happy that Emerson House recognizes the benefits of this type of therapy and they offer pet therapy to the residents weekly using bunnies, which is the perfect animal to use in this type of therapy because the bunnies don't seem to mind being petted and held for different lengths of time. The facility also has 3 cats and fish for the residents to enjoy (watching fish is also very therapeutic in memory care).

People should check out all that Emerson House has to offer them and/or their loved one's, it may not be the most luxurious or extravagant community, but the residents are provided with the highest quality of care and the staff are accountable, responsible, and honest. You will be in very safe, friendly, and accommodating hands.