StoryPoint Forest Hills

We have a well-rounded social and activities program that includes outings to area state parks, local museums and shopping. Local author book readings, pet visits, spiritual and cultural programs that enhance daily lives. Our community is located near the many colleges and university’s including, Grand Valley State University, Calvin College and Aquinas and benefits for the dynamic interaction with students from all over the world. We also have the Forest Hills Fine Art Center, aquatic and senior center right in our back yard as well as the YMCA – Mary Free Bed campus just a few miles away.

StoryPoint Forest Hills provides staff for the Memory Care Neighborhood 24-hours a day. The neighborhood staffing depends on the number of residents who make their home there. Our regulations dictate the number staff required for a memory care specialty neighborhood. StoryPoint Forest Hills ensures that we meet or exceed all required staffing for our Memory Care Neighborhood.

StoryPoint Forest Hills Memory Care Neighborhood is designed to engage residents and encourage interaction between residents and caregivers. The neighborhood is intentionally designed to provide “activity” stations that appeal to residents who are may wander or have repetitive behaviors. The neighborhood offers an activities table with puzzles, memory games, adult coloring and painting supplies that residents have access to around the clock. The space is open and conducive to those who enjoy walking and offers activities stations for sorting and folding, sensory stimulation, organizing and tactile stimulation. Reminiscing activities often feature a topic and encourage residents to share their experiences from a past time in their lives to stimulate long-term memory.

StoryPoint Forest Hills is located in an incredible area, right next to the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, reflecting the communities spirited dedication to the arts. Behind out community lies our senior center, which provides forums, presentations and luncheons all within walking distance. In addition, we have many shops and amazing restaurants just adjacent to our community. There are also paved trails that go around the local community surrounding us.

StoryPoint Forest Hills is a pet-friendly community, and we understand that our residents’ pets are family. Dogs and cats are welcome; however, they must remain inside the resident’s personal apartment. Unfortunately, not everyone enjoys having pets in their lives and we must respect their rights as well as those of our pet owners. All pets must be leashed when outside the resident’s apartment. We request that each resident and/or a family member ensure the care of the pet. Pets are not allowed in the dining rooms at any time.

StoryPoint Forest Hills provides complimentary transportation via our wheelchair lift van to and from medical appointments. We also use our van to take our residents on outings to local attractions, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

StoryPoint Forest Hills provides each Memory Care Resident with choices & options for meals. Working with families, we identify “likes” & “dislikes” related to food choices & ensure each resident receives nutritious, well-balanced meals that appeal to the resident’s tastes. Caregivers take orders for each meal & residents join each other in a family-style setting in the dining area of the neighborhood to share the meal. To assist our dementia residents in making their meal choices, our caregivers often use our picture menus to help them decide what they want to eat. Caregivers often share the meal with residents providing a modeling opportunity that encourages residents to eat. As residents progress through the varying stages of dementia, caregivers may request certain types of foods, for example, finger foods or sweet-tasting items that appeal to the resident. To encourage residents to eat, our neighborhood Bistro is set up daily to offer drinks and snacks.

StoryPoint Forest Hills begins the communication process for our memory care residents through the pre-admission process. Our team spends time learning about each resident’s individual needs & preferences to ensure a person-centered, individualized plan using resident & family input. We encourage our families to ask questions, visit with our leadership team & staff whenever possible to ensure we are sharing information effectively & providing for the varying needs of our residents. We also provide support & education to families to help further their understanding of the dementia process. Family members are invited to our Family Council meeting, where they can communicate with the community leaders & share their experiences with other family members. Our full-time activities director shares photos with families of our residents engaged in our social & recreational activities programs through our StoryPoint Forest Hills Facebook page!

StoryPoint Forest Hills is in a mix of both a residential area and a business district in a small community of approximately 26,000. The community is surrounded by wooded walking trail and several parks are located nearby as well as shops and restaurants. In the surrounding city setting, Grand Rapids is home to Grand Valley State University and many other colleges and universities and offers many opportunities for our residents to interact with college students and benefits from the cultural and social activities afforded by a college campus. They also offer an array of arts, entertainment and a ‘foodies’ paradise. Our location on the edge of town offers residents a quiet setting along with the hustle and bustle of a big city just miles away.