Channing House

Moving to Channing House was the best gift my parents ever gave me. They have lived there for over 15 years so they have made dozens of friends. They are both now in their 90s and are surrounded by these friends as they age-in-place at Channing House. This is a wonderful community! Because their every need is taken care of, I am able to truly visit them (which I do multiple times every week). Our time is spent chatting, telling stories, going through photographs, reading poetry, doing puzzles, etc., instead of picking up medications, driving them places, fixing broken things, lecturing them about safety and diet. I never worry about their safety, diet, medications, loneliness, lack of exercise or stimulation. The onsite doctors and nurses see them in their room or at the Health Center just an elevator ride away at any minute. The shuttle takes them to off-site appointments, as well as shopping and cultural events. They have 3 healthy and delicious meals every day of the week with stimulating and interesting conversations at the dining tables. Their apartment is cleaned by the same Channing House janitress every week. All their medications are delivered to them by Walgreens. They attend ability-appropriate exercise classes and swimming classes multiple times every week, and have a plethora of interesting events that they can choose to attend in the building. Over the years, they have participated in many of the clubs and activities including theater productions, a diabetic information group, a writing group, a music-making club, an art history club, various computer support groups, governance boards and committees. Channing House offers dozens of activities, and residents are encouraged to start new ones. My Mom has declined much faster than my Dad; she suffers from dementia. Channing House noticed this and took an active role in moving my Mom (but not my Dad) into a safe and appropriate living situation (which is the nursing care area of Channing House). My Dad is able to take my Mom out of the nursing care area any time he wants. He spends all day with her, then returns her to the nursing care area in time for her medications, and at the end of the day, for bed. If my parents had chosen to Age-at-home, they would be living separately and many miles apart at this stage of their lives. This would have been such a miserable way to spend their last years. I am SO grateful that they still have each other (70 years of marriage !) and can be together. Channing House residents are fascinating people with amazing life stories and active/curious minds. They are some of the most open-minded and tolerant people I have ever known. I thoroughly enjoy talking with my parents' friends at Channing House. I have witnessed many families as their parents at Channing House decline and finally die. They have felt supported by the staff in whatever way they chose to go through this major life event. Families differ widely in what they want, and I find it amazing that the staff is able to be so flexible. I can and do unconditionally recommend Channing House !!! If you are comparing Channing House to Aging-at-Home, there is no comparison. Aging-at-Home is a miserable option when compared to Channing House.