Assisted living offers new life for seniors

Marie Miller spends her days volunteering at Sycamore Village Assisted Living in Swansea.

Miller not only passes out Kit Kats as she greets visitors; she also lives at the Village. Miller is in a growing new demographic of seniors, those that find that there is still a lot of life to live in the later years.

To accommodate a more active lifestyle for seniors that still need some assistance, the Sycamore Village is in the process of renovating its building, so that the care focuses on the social aspects of life, rather than the medical.

Kendra Garnto, the executive director at Sycamore Village, said that when it's finished, the Village will be composed of five different neighborhoods. Currently, there is only one neighborhood finished.

"Instead of moving into this big, 120-apartment building, you will move into your own neighborhood," Garnto said.

Citizens at the Sycamore Village will each have their own two-room apartment. The apartments have a microwave, refrigerator, kitchenette, bathroom, furniture, television and Internet access.

Residents will also have the opportunity to participate in a slew of recreational activities, including monthly gardening classes and a game room complete with slot machines.

The Village community members can also plan trips in the facility's van. Plus they can eat at the Village's restaurants anytime they want.

"Instead of a dining hall hurry up and get there because that's when the meals are served, our restaurant is open from eight to six," Garnto said.

Garnto said the purpose of all the amenities is to try to make it seem as if the residents never left home.

"We want them to be able to carry on their home-like routine," Garnto said.

As residents are able to enjoy a full line of recreation options, they also have peace of mind with a 24-hour staff. Garnto said that most traditional nursing homes have larger nursing staffs.

However, at the Village, each neighborhood has approximately six staff members on duty. Garnto said the same six staffers really add a sense of consistency to the lives of the residents.

Each room is also equipped with an emergency call system. Ron O'Connor, Sycamore Village's marketing representative, said that while these safety features are for the well-being of the residents, they also add to the children's peace of mind.

"The 24-hour care really help so the kids don't worry, ‘how is dad,'" O'Connor said.

Although senior care that is centered around social needs rather than medical isn't a new concept, Garnto said that it is new for the Metro East area. Since she is from a nursing home background, Garnto has witnessed both types of care.

"They're much happier in assisted living," Garnto said.

Marie Miller is definitely a testament to how happy the residents are. She enjoys joking with the staff and helping out on a volunteer basis.

In fact, Garnto said she got so much flak from Miller about her executive director name badge that something had to be done.

"Marie always made such a big deal about executive by my name tag that we had to put executive on her name tag," Garnto said.

For More Information: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/neighborhoods/stories.nsf/news/story/106A0871C83D210D86256FC50058A66D?OpenDocument