The Lakes at Jefferson

Kimberlee

I found a place for when my mother-in-law is ready to go. It's The Lakes at Jefferson in Mercer. We toured their 2nd floor, which is the 24-hour care facility. The 1st floor has no assistance at all. They said when you're on the 2nd floor, they clean your place, wash your clothes, tell you of your medicines, and anything that you would need medically. They also take you to any appointments. It's like you're walking into the most beautiful wedding reception hall or even like a gentleman's club back in the day that you would see in movies because the floors are just stunningly beautiful. It has couches and beautiful furniture all over, and even a pool table that's just beautiful. The colors of the whole place, even the flowers, it's all beautiful. When you walk in, they have this big, long white counter and it's all refreshments that anybody can have, even if you're going for a visit. There are beautiful tables and chairs. It's so state-of-the-art. When I walked in, I thought my mother-in-law would love this place. I've seen other ones that look so run down and this is the nicest one I've ever seen. It doesn't even look like you're going to a nursing home. I did not talk to the staff, but I was introduced to a couple. What I liked is that that particular day they had a large van and any of the residents that wanted to go to Kaynak's are going on that trip that day. Those that didn't (because it was around Easter when I went) could come to help stuff eggs because they have a huge egg hunt for any family members, children, or even the local residents. They put on shows and entertainment, and they're outdoors. They have beautiful patios with fire pits and a waterfall thing. It's just nothing like I've ever seen that could be associated with the nursing home. If I go and visit, they have a private lounge room that's just like a living room with a big-screen TV. It's small enough to make it intimate, but large enough that if you had eight people with you or the whole family, you're all comfortable. I loved their meals too. They have an area where they post for the whole month, what they're having every day. They also have alternatives if you don't like that. I was just impressed, from top to bottom. I didn't meet any staff or personally talk to them, but I was introduced to one of their members who was in charge that day. I did not try their food, but the menu looked like something I would want. They even have a Taco Tuesday, where they literally have like a taco truck that comes out. They have certain things that happen weekly for the residents, aside from what they also cook inside the place. They have specialty trucks that come with special food. They had a hair salon right on-site and a workout area, a beautiful gym. The only thing that was different was just something that I did not expect from the phone call. When I went there, was the room that I got quoted was a price of $2800 a month for a semi-private (so there would be two people in that room). If you want the private one all to yourself, it's $4500 (which my mother-in-law doesn't have). The semi-private area was still really nice. The bathroom was huge and then the other room adjoined to that just looked like a hotel. It has 2 beds, a TV, a little kitchenette, a little sink with a refrigerator, and its own dressers. They just had a hotel look.

Robin

The Lakes at Jefferson was wonderful. I loved it, but I don't think my parents are quite ready yet to be put into something like that. It was beautiful. The people were very friendly. It was a good experience. The staff who accommodated me was very knowledgeable. She was very caring. She took time to kind of get to know my parents' situation, and she was very helpful. The rooms beautiful and very clean. They're like apartments. They have three options. Meals are provided. They have transportation, and they do housekeeping once a week. It's a smaller facility, so it's really nice. It's not overcrowded. They have a garden out back, and the residents can plant things. It seems like they have a lot of activities.