Questions about 3801 Grand
What ongoing training does the staff receive in dementia care?
Eight hours of dementia care training is required annually for ALL staff working in the community.
Describe the overall population of assisted living residents at 3801 Grand. What is their average age? What are their favorite things to do?
Our average age is approximately 87.
What programs or activities does 3801 Grand offer to enrich residents' well-being?
At 3801 Grand, we look at wellness as a multi-level process, including spiritual, physical and social well-being. We offer a variety of religious opportunities; we offer daily exercises in a fun, safe environment; and we provide enriching education and social events and activities for a variety of levels of ability. Additionally, we will soon be able to offer in-house therapy services to our residents!
What places are near 3801 Grand or within walking distance for assisted living residents to enjoy?
At 3801 Grand, we are fortunate to be located just blocks west of Des Moines' busy downtown area, home to cultural, the arts, and sporting venues. Additionally, we are just minutes from the revitalized Ingersoll Avenue District, where residents will find historic restaurant choices as well as new dining options and boutiques. Some well-known area icons include The Art Center, The Civic Center, The Des Moines Community Playhouse, Wells Fargo Arena, Principal Park (home to the Iowa Cubs), Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Noah's restaurant, and Jesse's Embers restaurant.
What transportation services does 3801 Grand offer to assisted living residents?
At 3801 Grand, we are happy to help our residents get to doctor, dental and vision appointments, as well as scheduled off-campus activities! We have a comfortable fully accessible mini-bus, and our driver works Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We provide regularly scheduled trips to the local grocery store.
What makes the chef or dining program at 3801 Grand exceptional? What kind of menu can assisted living residents expect?
Our chef takes pride in using fresh foods. It's not unusual to walk past the kitchen and see potatoes being peeled by hand. Additionally, our chef is very responsive to the culinary desires of our residents, facilitating "Food Forum" on a regular basis.
What safety features or security measures does 3801 Grand offer to assisted living residents?
At 3801 Grand, we are a dementia-specific building, meaning that we have some extra safety and security measures in place including coded doors and alarms.
How does 3801 Grand keep residents' families informed about their loved ones?
Our personal care staff are aware of and respect family members' preferred mode of communication and reach out to them in that manner. And because we are a community that is smaller, we are able to provide many face-to-face conversations with family members. Our Executive Director, RN, LPN and CMAs are just a phone call away and are very responsive to family concerns and questions.
What is the care staff-to-resident ratio at 3801 Grand during daytime and nighttime hours?
Our capacity is 48 residents. During our daytime and evening hours, we are staffed with two Tenant Assistants and one Certified Medical Assistant. On our overnight shift (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), we staff one Tenant Assistant and one Certified Medical Assistant. Our staff RN and LPN are in the building Monday through Friday and on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If 3801 Grand accepts dogs or cats, what indoor/outdoor areas can they enjoy?
We consider cats and small dogs when residents are able to meet their pet's needs. 3801 Grand staff are not able to assist with pet cares.
What ongoing senior care training does the staff receive?
All of our staff are required to pass annual food service training and eight hours of dementia training. Additionally, all staff are required to pass Dependent Adult Abuse training every five years. 3801 Grand also provides in-house training on a variety of relevant topics.
Describe the overall population of independent living residents at 3801 Grand. What is their average age? What are their favorite things to do?
Our independent living residents are very active. With a capacity of just 34 apartments, they are a tight-knit group. They enjoy our weekly Happy Hour and our monthly Brunch Buffet. They enjoy a variety of card games and cribbage. They attend exercise classes, off-campus Lunch Bunch gatherings and shopping trips. Although we provide scheduled activities for our Grand Suites (independent) residents, they also organize their own activities and gatherings.
What places are nearby for independent living residents to enjoy?
At 3801 Grand and Grand Suites we are fortunate to be located just blocks west of Des Moines' busy downtown area, home to cultural, the arts, and sporting venues. Additionally, we are just minutes from the revitalized Ingersoll Avenue District, where residents will find historic restaurant choices as well as new dining options and boutiques. Some well-known area icons include The Art Center, The Civic Center, The Des Moines Community Playhouse, Wells Fargo Arena, Principal Park (home to the Iowa Cubs), Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Noah's restaurant, and Jesse's Embers restaurant.
What are some recent off-site events that the community activity director at 3801 Grand has organized?
Our Activity Coordinator organized a trip to another community to watch the Bean Bag Baseball league in action -- our community loved it and plans to join in the fall. Another favorite was O.W.L.S. (Older Wiser Livelier Seniors) at Jester Park Lodge -- a nature program and catered lunch. In nicer weather, residents enjoy going to Reiman Gardens, the National Balloon Championships, John Wayne's birthplace, and the Pella Tulip Festival.
What transportation services does 3801 Grand offer to independent living residents?
At Grand Suites, we are happy to help our residents get to doctor, dental and vision appointments, as well as scheduled off-campus activities! We have a comfortable fully accessible mini-bus, and our driver works Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We provide regularly scheduled trips to the local grocery store.
What makes the chef or dining program at 3801 Grand exceptional? What kind of menu can independent living residents expect?
Our chef takes pride in using fresh foods. It's not unusual to walk past the kitchen and see potatoes being peeled by hand. Additionally, our chef is very responsive to the culinary desires of our residents, facilitating "Food Forum" on a regular basis.
What common areas are available for independent living residents?
In our Grand Suites building, we provide a first-floor area with comfortable seating, a beautiful grand piano, and a large-screen television. This area is used for our Happy Hour but also for Book Club and informal gatherings such as to watch a football game together. Just off the formal dining room is an area that includes a puzzle table; several tables for card games or board games; coffee, tea and cappuccino; and a display cupboard for residents to share collections. This area is used for our monthly Brunch Buffet. Additionally, on the second floor is an area that has a television and Wii game system, a treadmill and Nu-Step, a small library area, many sturdy chairs and a full kitchen. In addition to exercise, movie matinee and Wii bowling and golfing, this area can also be reserved (free of charge) by residents who would like a little extra space to entertain guests or large family gatherings.
What safety features or security measures does 3801 Grand offer to independent living residents?
A key or the code to the keypad is required to gain entrance to the Grand Suites building. Security cameras are installed in the hallways. There is underground, secured parking available (for additional fee).
If 3801 Grand accepts dogs or cats, what indoor/outdoor areas can they enjoy?
We consider cats and small dogs when residents are able to meet their pet's needs. 3801 Grand staff are not able to assist with pet cares.
Does 3801 Grand work with an agency or registry to provide nursing and medical assistance as needed?
3801 Grand staff respond to emergency calls from our independent living residents.
How many staffers are on duty in the daytime and overnight?
Our Memory Care capacity is 12 apartments. During the daytime and evening hours, we staff one Certified Medical Assistant and one Tenant Assistant. On the overnight shift, we staff one Certified Medical Assistant. Our staff RN and LPN are in the building Monday through Friday and on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What safety features or security measures does 3801 Grand provide to protect residents who wander?
Our Assisted Living building is dementia specific, meaning that we have coded and alarmed exits. But for residents needing a little extra security, we do use a bracelet alarm system for those individuals as well.
What programs or activities does 3801 Grand offer to keep residents engaged? How does the staff engage residents' long-term memories?
We offer spontaneous as well as planned activities for our Memory Care residents. Many of those activities involve music, whether it's music therapy or a sing-a-long. We take residents on drives through the country on nice days. Staff work with family members to put together Life Books, for reminiscing.
Who assesses residents' health and cognitive functioning? How often is that assessment repeated?
Our RN performs the initial admittance assessment, with our LPN performing the 30-day assessment. A significant-change assessment is done by our RN, and our LPN takes care of the 90-day assessments and additional as needed.
What techniques does 3801 Grand use to support memory care residents during mealtimes?
In our Memory Care, residents are served their food on red plates, as we understand that this situation has a better mealtime success rate with individuals who have dementia. Because we have just 12 Memory Care apartments, staff get to know residents very well and are able to offer residents foods we know they enjoy and will eat. When needed, we offer adaptive utensils. Additionally, staff offer a lot of encouragement and patience at mealtimes.
How does 3801 Grand keep residents' families informed about their loved ones' health?
Our personal care staff are aware of and respect family members' preferred mode of communication and reach out to them in that manner. And because we are a community that is smaller, we are able to provide many face-to-face conversations with family members. Our Executive Director, RN, LPN and CMAs are just a phone call away and are very responsive to family concerns and questions.
Describe the neighborhood around 3801 Grand. Is it located in a residential neighborhood, a business district, a rural setting, or other type of locale?
3801 Grand is located in a well-established neighborhood in Des Moines. We are surrounded by several historic, beautiful churches, many restaurants, and upscale homes and apartment buildings.
Is 3801 Grand affiliated with a hospital if more care is needed?
Residents and family members are free to choose their own hospital. We at 3801 Grand will work with any hospital to make the transition there and back a smooth one.
