Imagine my surprise when my teen daughter came home from a school activity at Meadowlark Hills (MLH) stating the words, “I want to live there, Mom!” I mean, what teenager enjoys being in a retirement home? I know, at her age, my view of a “nursing home” was completely opposite.

Growing up in a small town, I watched as the residents of our community aged and became such a burden for their families, that their only option was to be admitted to the local nursing home. I went with my mother on occasion to visit residents, and always came away depressed and sad. Most of the time many of them were seated in the main lobby, usually in their pajamas or bath robes. They were desperate for any kind of interaction with people visiting. They only staff members I ever saw were ones at the desk. They seemed to ignore the residents and made no attempt to interact with them.

When my grandmother began developing memory issues, the time came for her to be cared for in a nursing home. I remember my mother feeling so bad about not being able to care for her any longer. She knew there was no other option, and it was heart breaking for her because she was well aware of the conditions of even the best nursing home in our area. In my view at the time, it was a place for her to die. I watched her slowly deteriorate in the facility and eventually she did pass. I was almost relieved she didn’t have to be living in that environment any longer. Needless to say, I had nothing but negative, sad views of nursing homes.

When I began seeking a new job, and I saw the MLH advertisement for job opportunities, I remembered what my daughter had said. It piqued my interested in MLH, so I decided to apply, even though I was hesitant.

During my first interview, the staff seemed very positive and passionate about MLH. It was during the tour at my second interview that I got a glimpse of life there. The residents I encountered were very cheerful and positive. Even the few I saw in the long-term care homes were dressed nicely and were being served by pleasant, hospitable staff members. I didn’t see anyone in a bath robe, and no resident was being ignored. The facility itself seemed welcoming and many areas truly felt like a home, with beautiful kitchens, and living and dining room space. I noticed the updated décor and renovations that were being done at the time as well. This impressed me. They were creating lovely spaces for the residents. Everything that I witnessed that day was positive and like nothing I had ever seen. After the tour, I asked the gentleman who escorted me, what he liked about working at MLH. He said it was the sense of community. I left that interview thinking, “I want to work there!”

Since I began working at MLH I have witnessed wonderful situations and interactions between the staff and residents. I have watched how the residents are consistently asked what they would like. They are given choices, and are most times accommodated according to their wish. I have dined with long-term care residents as the staff prepared our meal in the kitchen and then served us in the dining room encouraging resident interaction. It impressed me that they allowed one gentleman to do his weight lifting in the living room during the lunch hour. Some great music from his boom box, including Michael Jackson tunes, kept him energized. Obviously, this staff was catering to the wishes of the resident.

I have watched companions show compassion and care to residents, especially when dealing with ones that have physical or mental limitations. They laugh and converse with them and provide a safe partner and friend for the resident as they are venturing on different activities.

The amenities provided by MLH are so beneficial for all the residents. You will often see our wheelchair bound residents from the healthcare households “strolling” through the hallways, greeting everyone, enjoying coffee at the café. One particular gentleman came down each afternoon to join friends at the pub. I could tell it was a great highlight for him each day. Having wonderful places to meet and interact with others, like the café and the pub, is a special and wonderfully unique feature of MLH.

I have personally witnessed the excitement of the residents as they tell me about their involvement in the book studies, craft and art classes and committees that allow them to express their talents and ideas. I have watched as they anticipate the fun ahead loading into the MLH vehicles for an outing or trip, and I love hearing about their adventures when they return. Many residents take advantage of viewing the daily movie offered in the cinema after having lunch with friends in the restaurant. Some enjoy dressing up each day.

One gentleman, who happens to be over 100 years in age, always is dressed in nice trousers and a sweater vest when I see him at the café each morning enjoying breakfast with other residents. I love how one of the women in our independent living facility changes clothes before coming down late in the afternoon. I mentioned one day that I noticed she had on a different sweater and skirt than earlier in the day, and that she looked nice. Her response was, “I always enjoy getting dressed up for dinner!”

The assistance offered to those suffering with memory issues and Parkinson’s disease is phenomenal. There’s a positive approach and a pro-active attitude by those residents that I have never witnessed before. Now that I have my own family members that are facing the physical limitations of aging and developing memory loss, I know there are great options available and opportunities for help and support. These services have really helped change my mind to a positive approach for people like my grandmother who struggled so much.

For me, the best example of the difference between MLH and more traditional facilities is the joy and contentment I see in the residents from all the households each day. There is much laughter, humor, and a sense of self-worth that they seem to experience. I truly love when residents share their life experience and stories with me. Many have led very full lives and yet they are stretching themselves with new activities and opportunities. They also share their hardships with me, like the gentleman who spoke of losing his wife, recently losing his younger brother, and shared how his good friend had passed the day before. Even with his failing eyesight, he still comes down each morning and enjoys coffee and fellowship with other residents in the game room. Others have shared with me similar stories of hardship including losing their spouse, siblings, and some have even struggled through cancer experiences. The common trait that I see in most of these residents is their positive outlook on life, even after experiencing very difficult hardships. Their past doesn’t seem to affect them in a negative way. I truly believe it is due to their opportunity to continue a rich, fulfilling life.

In fact, it’s those very individuals that have inspired me to live each day fully and to not fear what you may face. My family and I recently traveled to Hawaii. We had the opportunity to snorkel at night and view manta rays. I was quite hesitant since I had never snorkeled, let alone in the ocean at night when it was very dark, and the fear of what else was lurking in the water made me almost pass on the experience. I looked back at a conversation I had with one special resident. She shared with me that she had traveled to a jungle area where she had the opportunity to hold a very large snake. She has a photograph of the snake draped around her neck. I asked her if she was scared to pose for the picture, and she said, “I decided if I didn’t do it, I would regret it later.” Those words were in my mind as I put my own fears behind me and enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the dark waters of Hawaii that I will never forget, nor regret. I made a special point to thank her for her inspiration when I returned.

At MLH there doesn’t seem to be limits for the residents, only opportunities to grow mentally, socially and spiritually. They have the security of a staff that truly cares, support for physical needs, and friendship for a true sense of community. Many of the residents I work with are 90 plus years of age, and yet they are still pushing themselves with travels and activities to expand their mind and enrich their lives. They are truly LIVING!

MLH has made me think totally differently about aging and the later years of my life. It’s a wonderful community where after many years of work and service you can come and relax. You can celebrate the accomplishments of your past and enjoy the benefits deserving of your later years. I now think of it as a new chapter in life to have the time and resources to explore hobbies, friendships, culture and activities that you may not have had time for in the past. At MLH you can enjoy the amenities and services with the assurance you have freedom and the respect to choose opportunities each day.

It’s amazing, humbling, and exciting for me as I get the privilege of being part of such a wonderful community that values so greatly the individuals who call it “home.” It does feel like home, and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else!

At one time I couldn’t comprehend why my daughter felt so positive about MLH. But now, I get it. When the time comes for me to retire from my working days and begin my next chapter of relaxing and enjoying new opportunities in life, I can honestly say to my daughter, “I want to live there too!”