My friend moved into The Lodge at Natchez Trace last month. When you walk in, it looks like a country lodge -- a great-big, open room, with high, beamed ceilings, furnished nicely, not overly fancy, but very, very nice. When you go upstairs, the hallways are not as long and large as some places, but it's very comfortable looking. Some of the residents decorate their doors, some do not. My friend's room is a studio right now, because she's there as a respite resident; she is just staying until her rehab is finished. Her room is comfortable; they did everything they could to increase its comfort level. About a week after she moved in, they had kind of learned her needs and her habits. We've been very pleased with what they offer. I've had private meetings to get her established with the nursing care and with the CEO, and they've taken plenty of time to speak with her son who lives in Florida to confirm and reaffirm things that are going on. I have visited several times, and they have been very gracious about allowing visits with people who are masked and are willing to social distance. I've observed music events; I know they sang hymns one Wednesday afternoon, and they had a guitar-playing musical performer (who was outstanding) another afternoon when I was there. They offer physical therapy and occupational therapy, all done by one agency. Throughout COVID, they've only allowed one agency to come in; that way they know exactly who's coming and going, and they have less exposure. They've had very little COVID. They also have bingo on a regular basis. You win points or credits when you play bingo and you win, and you can buy things with your credit. It's kind of stimulating to the mind. They have a large gathering space, plus a game room, plus a large visiting space that they used during COVID, but I think they're opening up on Monday because all the residents will have had their second vaccine by then. They're very conscious of it, but they're not fearful, which I really like, because that's my friend's nature, too. She likes the food, and that's a big plus. One thing they did last week for any of the residents who wanted to was they masked up, loaded on the bus, and went out to Loveless cafe, which is kind of a famous place to eat where lots of country-music singers and tourists go. They went there in the early morning and had a breakfast/brunch kind of meal together. They have a beauty shop, and they have manicures. The nursing staff is amazing -- the nurses that she has had, she has just loved her nurses.
I called the Lodge to inquire if they had a respite room for my friend. They did, and it was actually open. That afternoon their community-relations person came to my friend's house and brought us the paperwork to get her in that respite room. By the next afternoon -- twenty-four hours later -- she was in The Lodge. They're quick responders, that is a huge plus, and I've never seen that anywhere else.
Provider Response
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for you kind words! We really appreciate it. It's been our pleasure to help your friend!
