It’s a Wonderful World
Imagine a Fairy Godmother appearing before you here at Brandermill Woods Assisted Living and asking, “What can I do for you? What do you want?”
“Well, I’d like to be in a beautiful setting.”
“Look out your window.” she said.
When I looked I saw tall trees and birds flying among them. I saw the sun just starting to go down in a myriad of colors. I thought about rain and snow and how the landscape changes and I was glad I could view it all from my indoor windows.
Then the fairy asked, “Have you been outside and walked in the Courtyard or sat in the Entrance and watched the people and the traffic?”
I bowed my head and thought about all that is here in Assisted Living that I enjoy.
“Anything else?”
“Well of course I want friends. No. Not just friends but MY AGE friends. When they start to tell me about their ailments I want to say, “I’ve had that too!” I mean young friends are great but sometimes I wonder what they are talking about. Their world is so different than what we have been through. And speaking of friends—the nurses are wonderful. From the first cheerful “How are you? In the morning to the “Good night”tuck-in at night. I have yet to meet one that wasn’t cheerful. I Often hear them laughing outside my door, obviously enjoying their work. Then of course there are the doctors who come to your room to check on you. All kinds of doctors: dermatologists, pedicurists,etc. X-rays are made in our rooms. If you prefer an outside doctor we have a wonderful shuttle driver, DeVon, who knows every shortcut in Richmond and will get you to your appointment on time.
“So”, said the fairy “you are content. There is nothing–”
Well—I want to feel safe and I DO feel safe. We have cameras in our rooms and down the halls. There are alarms that sound when there is a danger and drills to practice for what to do when the alarm sounds.
There are so many things I am grateful for. Someone makes up my bed every morning and housekeepers sweep my floors and dust my furniture and empty my waste baskets. Washers and Dryers are close and some have their laundry done for them.
Activities keep us busy and entertained. There are birthday parties with balloons on the door, birthday cupcakes and singing “Happy Birthday.” Then there is more professional entertainment, (pianists, banjo players, singers, choirs, etc.) and a different movie almost every afternoon. If that’s not enough there are groups you can join: a book club, a strollers club and a garden club. There is daily exercise as well as trained therapists who work with individual patients. Volunteers and visiting persons add to our enjoyment-(preschoolers, Brownies and Girl Scouts, piano students, arts and crafts students, and thoughtful adults who help with decorating). The Activity leaders are great and so helpful.
“A beautiful setting, friends, medical care, safety and all sorts of activities.” The fairy begins to leave.
Wait! Wait! We haven’t talked about food. That’s essential. We have three meals a day either in the Dining room or we can order meals to our room. Sometimes, for medical reasons, we are served in our room. There is a new menu for every day and even special menus for holidays. The menus are chosen carefully emphasizing what is fresh and in Season.
Our Spiritual needs are met with church services from many denominations as well as two Bible Study classes, hymn sings, and once-a-month Communion service.
Even our personal needs are not forgotten. Once a month manicures are offered by our staff and we have an in-house Beauty shop and Barber shop.
I guess there are many things I like about being here. Brandermill Woods Assisted Living is
A WONDERFUL WORLD