Sunday, September 26, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Wesley Homes Des Moines 

Sunday, October 3, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn

You may win a trip for two to Victoria B.C. aboard the Victoria Clipper (a $400 value) or a catered dinner for up to 10 people at one of the Wesley Homes’ campuses prepared by Wesley Homes Executive Chefs.  

Our Autumn Harvest Open House features a farm stand with samples of fresh fruits and vegetables, local cheeses, and bakery items; a tasting of fall dishes prepared by Wesley Homes’ executive chefs; and presentations on safe and healthy edible gardening by a Garden Hotline Educator from Seattle Tilth.

Plus, a host of helpful resources will be available to talk with you. Learn about downsizing, move coordination and Easy Transitions from Benevia; selling your home through SASH, adult day care  from Elder & Adult Day Services, Wesley Homes Home Health care, and Wesley Homes Foundation.

Open House at Wesley Homes offers a great annual opportunity to tour our campuses and see a variety of resident homes, some with views of Puget Sound or Mt. Rainier. Residents will be waiting to greet you and answer questions about living at a Wesley Homes community.  Everyone will go home with a free miniature pumpkin. And those who visit Wesley Homes Health Center will enjoy an old fashioned ice cream cone.

Join us in Des Moines on Sunday. September 26th, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Exit off I-5 at Kent/Des Moines Rd heading west. Turn right on Kent/Des Moines Rd. Turn right again on International Blvd./Hwy 99 for about 1 mile. Turn left on S. 216th Street (Safeway is on the corner). Follow S. 216th to the bottom of the hill. Enter a Wesley Homes parking lot on either side of the street. Call 206-824-5000 for more information.

Join us at Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn on Sunday, October 3rd, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Exit Auburn Way North off Highway 18. Turn right on 8th Street NE and cross the Green River. Turn right on 105th place and wind up the hill. Wesley Homes Lea Hill is at the top of the hill on your right. Additional parking and shuttle service  is available at the south parking lot of Green River Community College just one mile further east on 320th. Call 253-876-6000 for more information.

Established in 1944, Wesley Homes is a not-for-profit organization that offers a comprehensive network of housing and services including residential homes and apartments, adult day care, assisted living, home health care, restorative therapies, and skilled nursing care.  Wesley Homes Community Health Services is a separate Home Health Care agency serving clients throughout the Puget Sound region.

Marcella and Herman Wright enjoy the patio of their new home surrounded by family members left to right: ): Katie Meredith, Ryan Meredith, Elaine Meredith, Ellen Joslin, Morgan Joslin and Megan Joslin

The day I arrived to follow up on how Herman and Marcella Wright were doing in their new brownstone apartment at Wesley Homes Retirement Community, I met six of their family members who have been very involved in helping the Wrights get resettled. 

The Wrights moved into Wesley Homes Lea Hill on July 16^th.   This is the 2nd part of a two part “before” and “after” the move series. 

The first interview “Moving Day into the Wesley Homes Lea Hill Brownstone Apartments” covers their thoughts on selling their home during a recession, why they made the move now, and the move-out experience.

Today there wasn’t an unpacked box in sight and everything appears to be in place and arranged comfortably. 

The conversation this morning revolved around the family “taking Grandma shopping” and the discoveries made about the lay of the land. 

“This is like a ‘fun park’ is how one daughter described the grounds.  “We like the theater,” said a granddaughter.  “The pool is awesome, “shouted out another.   “I want to be old”, said Ryan, age 11, joining in to express his enthusiasm for his grandparents’ new home.

 “I told the kids it’s going to be fun; It’s going to be like a little community,” said one of the adult children, “And now Ryan wants to stay overnight.”  “That’s because he likes the ‘tree house’ bedroom,” said Marcella, pointing to the sun room.

The place really is lovely; two bedrooms, big closets, and the kitchen and living room look out over an expanse of manicured lawn.  “And we don’t have to mow it,” exclaimed Marcella. 

I was impressed that the Wrights and their family members, even the grandchildren, were aware they were celebrating a rite of passage in the lives of the Wrights.

 “Well, the thing is children learn first-hand when they participate,” said Herman, referring to events that mark milestones in the lives of family members. 

 “It’s different than being told and then them trying to absorb it”, he explained, “When you’re involved it will stick with you for life.” 

And so the Wrights are continuing to influence future generations by exposing the children to the art of making deliberate choices that affect quality of life and shape family memories.

– ilene little for Wesley Homes

Campus Administrator, Scott Hulet, proudly displays Results of The Arbor's compliance survey

On June 2^nd Wesley Homes Arbor “passed with flying colors” the annual licensing and compliance survey conducted by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). 

The unannounced survey is conducted yearly and for the third year in a row The Arbor received the highest results – that of zero deficiencies in the resident environment and services provided by Wesley Homes Lea Hill and their talented staff. 

The Survey

“It’s the job of the DSHS nurse surveyors to find and note anything that’s not going well,” said Doris Crowe, LPN, The Arbor Nurse Manager, “They do a full environmental survey, dig deeply into the medical records, and select a sample of residents to talk to as well as talk to the residents’ family members to determine the standard of care residents are receiving.” 

The DSHS survey team was on campus for a full day, and during their “exit interview” they complimented Crowe and Campus Administrator, Scott Hulet on the standard of care they witnessed. 

“They gave us high compliments,” said Hulet, The survey team told us ‘When we say thank you for your service to the community, you exemplify what that means’.”  Such a sterling record is a matter of personal pride for both Crowe and Hulet. 

“Our team works to sustain that level of care every day,” said Campus Administrator, Scott Hulet, “it’s not like you can just cram for a test to pass and then put it out of your mind.” 

 “What DHSH likes to see is that the same nurse manager is there, the same activity director, etc., year after year,” said Crowe.   Familiarity is important to residents living with dementia, and the State surveyors recognize the negative impact of staff turnover on a stable environment. 

The Arbor has the same management staff they started with in 2007. “In a demanding industry that often sees a lot of turn-over in staff, that is quite an accomplishment,” said Crowe.      

 “Better Homes and Gardens” type Memory Care

The Arbor reflects in elegance the quality of an Arbor resident’s lifestyle.  Every activity room, the courtyard, the dining room and the strategically placed common sitting areas within spacious passage ways are appointed with items reminiscent of a private home. 

Next to a comfortable chair, you’ll find a basket of brightly colored yarn.  You might find stuffed animals in a comfortable family room setting.   Pull open a drawer in any cabinet and you’ll find familiar and decorative items, like collections of bead work and on the walls displays of hats and pictures that one would find in a home entry way. 

Individual resident apartments are roomy and the floor plans have the ambience of a typical home setting.  For example every apartment has a full kitchen.  The breaker switch to certain appliances is turned off and on to provide a safe environment.  “If a resident’s visiting family wants to bake cookies or prepare a meal, we turn the breaker on” said Hulet, “that way we can accommodate private family visits. 

Couples Habitats

The Arbor has both studio and one-bedroom apartments to accommodate residents.  “We currently have 18 residents living here, and two are couples,” said Hulet.  This allows for support of the person needing assisted living while allowing their spouse to continue living with their life partner. 

Accommodating Families

It is not unheard of for a family member to spend a night in the apartment of a resident.  And according to Hulet, Wesley Homes Lea Hill keeps two guest rooms in the main lodge available to rent to family members who might be traveling from a distance to visit a resident.

Individualized Care – The Arbor’s unique model of care

The Arbor model of memory care is called “universal care workers”.  “We do the serving of meals, wash all the dishes, and do all the housework as well as the patient care,” said Crowe.  According to Hulet, having staff care for a resident as if they were family allows the staff to get to know the residents really well.   

“We have very special residents, “said Crowe, “they really do get into your heart.”   

“There’s no distraction of unfamiliar people coming and going,” said Crowe, “that allows for a calm and peaceful continuity of care.  Our residents are here to live, not to get well” so we enter into their world, not the other way around.”

Arbor residents choose when they want to eat and what they want to eat.  According to Crowe, residents come to breakfast when they want.  “There’s no set time they need to get up,” said Crowe, they create their own schedule and we accommodate them.”   

It’s not a “cookie-cutter” plan,” said Crowe, “We have a process of quarterly assessments and annual meetings with families to tailor individual plans of care.

When she interviewed for the position she was truly amazed by the residents and the vibrant community.  “When you walk through Wesley Homes and see them filming, or participating in social activities – and even the resident council – they’re alive and full of energy and that’s what I was looking for,” she said.

“I was also looking for an administration that would empower me to do my job, and I really felt that immediately from Mark Gustafson,” said Meinecke.  Gustafson is Campus Administrator for Wesley Homes Des Moines.

Listen to: Live interview with Lisa Meinecke

What’s different about her new position with Wesley Homes

“Before, I worked in the health center setting where you work with people who are in skilled needs care,” said Meinecke, “Here it’s very different because I’m working with people who are more highly functioning.  It’s very uplifting to be with people who are what I call “deliberating aging”.

What I mean by “deliberate aging” is that people are making deliberate choices about staying active,” she said, “For example they’re very involved socially.  They’re very involved with their physical fitness.  They’re very health conscious and concerned about their diet.  They are saying, ‘I’m going to age well’”.

The Resident Council Interview

What really sold her on Wesley Homes was the interview with the residents.  “One of the ladies said to me ‘Lisa, we want you to partner with us.  We don’t want you to create things for us or make things for us.  We want you to work side-by-side with us.’  And what they really wanted was someone who could link them to resources,” said Meinecke.

“If one of them is struggling, personally, they want to be able to come to me for resources so that I can connect them to a support group or to a physician or expert who can help them,” she explained.  She also assists several support groups; like Parkinson’s or low vision groups.

According to Meinecke, if a resident has a problem they are struggling with, she is the “Go-To-Person”.  “And that’s really what a social worker does,” she said, “They do counseling, and they link people to resources.”

“I have my tool belt I can pull out and say ‘have you considered this’, or ‘let me go research that and find that out for you’.  It’s been very fulfilling for me to be able to go home at night and say I made a difference,” said Meinecke.

Leaving a Legacy

“I guess I’m huge on leaving a legacy behind,” she said, “And I’ve learned so much from the seniors I’ve interviewed about how important it is to do something that is meaningful.  And so I really feel blessed to be able to do this and I go home at night happy.”

“I’ve probably done a hundred social histories with seniors who have reached the end of their lives and are looking back at what they have accomplished and what meaning their life has had.  They might not know that they are imparting words of wisdom, but they are – they are sages,” says Meinecke.

My role as Transitional Counselor

“When people are changing often there will be a need to move to the next level of care,” said Meinecke, “I help assist moving from residential living to assisted as well as moving from the assisted to the health care setting.”

“Just recently I had an opportunity to be involved with a gentleman here who was beginning to have some cognitive loss”, said Meinecke, “His time clock was a little off and he was not quite keeping track of things.”

“This gentleman is quite aware that he’s changing,” she said, “He doesn’t want to distress the community or his family so he is actively taking a role in the transition.   He and his brother approached me and said, ‘we think it’s time to make a move’.”

“This was my first opportunity to help someone move on this campus and it was delightful”, said Meinecke.  “At the contract signing we were laughing and planning different apartment arrangements.  So it was a very positive and uplifting experience.  They both said ‘we’re really glad that you walked us through this.  This has really been a positive experience for us’.”

“It doesn’t always happen that way,” admits Meinecke, “A person might be thinking they don’t want to make a move because it means they’re getting older.  The message you’re getting when you’re moving is that you’re getting older and that things are changing.  My job is to help them so that it’s not a scary move.

Lisa Meinecke was introduced to Wesley residents at several town meetings will be interviewed on Channel 28.

–ilene little for Wesley Homes

New Kids on The Street - Hazel and Fred Douglas

Following the excitement of seeing their plans turned into reality, the Douglas’ say everything is going well.

“We’re still going through boxes, of course,” said Hazel, and of course every move carries with it some trauma.”

Once the Dust Settles

“I admit we’ve had our “blue” moments,” said Hazel.  It’s a big move to leave what you once called home.”

“It’s the little things that you took for granted that you miss”, explained Hazel, I went out to our back yard in our old home and looked at the Aspen tree and realized I won’t get to hear it get its spring leaves.  That brought a blue moment.  I didn’t realize that was so special.”

“But we’re glad we made the decision we did,” she said, “and our new place is starting to look like home now.”

New Friends in New Places

Hazel and Fred have started exploring the lay of the land and participating in the activities of their new community.  According to Hazel, Fred drove down one nice day and found the fishing dock.  “He walked all the way to Safeway, so he’s getting more oriented in that manner.” She said.

Together they attended a flower show recommended by another resident.  “Now I have a bunch of little baby plants on my back patio,” said Hazel, “and a new friend down the street who just happens to be a master gardener.”

Fred and Hazel have discovered new ways to enjoy activities they have found pleasurable for years.  “We drove up to Burien and found out how to catch the Seattle Light Rail,” said Hazel, We’ll take it down to go to Beneroyal for the April 10^th Pops Concert.

New Ways to Enjoy Favorite Pastimes

“That’s a new experience for us, and I’m looking forward to riding the Seattle Light Rail,” said Fred, it will make going to concerts so much easier.”

They’re finding other residents who hold season tickets to the same events and look forward to having the choice to travel as a group by Wesley Homes Van.

In addition to special resident-scheduled outings, the van makes trips on a regular schedule to accommodate residents running errands, making doctors appointments, going to the swimming pool or into town for the ladies lunches and men’s’ breakfast.

“It’s all in the residents’ handbook,”says Alice VanHouten with Wesley Homes Environmental Services, “there are really a lot of activities and we are happy to accommodate them.”  She named trips to Intiman Theater, Seattle Symphony and Issaquah Village Theater as popular destinations.

“The residents call me and I arrange a driver,” said VanHouten, “some of our drivers have been with us for 17 years.  They’re all Wesley approved drivers with training which includes being certified in CPR and first aid.

Designing a Lifestyle

Fred has already contacted Alice VanHouten to discuss volunteering as a driver.  “Fred said he wouldn’t mind driving the van,” said Hazel, “and we’ve always volunteered at something.”

So, there’s a lot to discover and having lived in their new home less than a month, Hazel and Fred have already begun adding in activities that will define their new lifestyle.  “I went to the crafters a couple of times, so we’re beginning to make headway and feeling like part of the community,” said Hazel.

– ilene little for Wesley Homes

Hazel and Fred Douglas Share Their Home Sale Experience

Hazel and Fred Douglas made the decision that when they turned 75 they would move out of their home of 41 1/2 years, where they raised their family, and move into a retirement community.  “We considered moving to a condominium or an apartment, but what we really wanted was the interaction of a community,” said Fred.

They both turned 75 last December.  And in the previous year they made the decision that they wanted the lifestyle that Wesley Homes has to offer.

We will follow Hazel and Fred through their home sale experience as they make the daily decisions necessary to ensure a good outcome.

So far, so good

Starting with a list of realtors and service providers recommended by Andy Kempler, Marketing Rep. for Wesley Homes, the Douglas’ went through the steps of interviewing realtors to put their house on the market.

Last week they chose a realtor and the house has been on the market for just a few days.  They plan to make their move into their cottage at Wesley Homes on the week of March 8^th.

And now we join them at step two, interviewing people who will help them make the move.

Communication is Key

They have so far interviewed two move-management companies to determine who they feel most comfortable with to do the packing and moving.  “We want a full-service experience where someone will do all the packing, moving and unpacking at our new home.” Said Hazel.

And, although the jury is still out, it appears that there is a favorite, assuming the promises made are delivered.  Hazel explained that their decision is being influenced by the fact that one of the people sent out to give a move estimate didn’t understand that they wanted full service – pack, move and unpack; not just a move-only quote.

That lack of communication plus the fact that the company hasn’t returned their phone call reporting the misunderstanding has disqualified them, according to Hazel.

Service Providers Who Go the Extra Mile

On the other hand, the competing company gave an estimate for full service pack and move and offered, for free, to develop a furniture placement diagram based on the floor plan of their cottage

That company representative, going the extra mile, caught the attention of the Douglas’.  I could tell they are very excited by the idea.

“She told us she is really good at interior decorating,” said Hazel, and I ordinarily think people who say things like that are just tooting their own horn,” but when she called me and told me she measured one of the bedrooms where we were anticipating moving a bed, and that there wouldn’t be enough room for it – well, then I knew she really did know what she was doing.”

“They called us and told us they had a diagram showing furniture placement ideas ready for us and would mail to us,” said Fred.  “Now, I wish we would have told them to email it to us.”

As I left, Fred was checking the mailbox to see if the furniture diagram was there.  We left off discussing how Hazel and Fred’s adult children were coming by this weekend to choose what they might want that the Douglas’ are giving away.

Stay tuned for the next installment on Hazel and Fred’s move.

–ilene little for Wesley Homes

Wesley Homes: A Caring Community

written by Adam Swift

Visit the story at:

http://www.inside-healthcare.com/content/view/2272/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2461&Itemid=119

Wesley Homes resident, Dan Stitzel, sold his home a year ago and made the move to the Wesley Homes Retirement Community.  Even though he sold it for little more than it cost him to build 15 ½ years ago, he’s happy he didn’t hesitate to make the move. 

“When exactly the floor plan I was looking for became available at Wesley Homes I didn’t want to pass on it,” he said, “I could have sat on my home another two-three years but I knew the market could be just as bad later, and so far that prophecy is proving correct.”

“From my perspective, it doesn’t make sense to screw up your life because you can’t sell a house for some inflated price,” reflects Stitzel.

“If my grandparents were contemplating selling their current home and moving to a retirement community, I would advise them to sell now rather than waiting for prices to rebound” says Susan Krueger, a local Associate Broker named “Best In Customer Service” Seattle Magazine 2008 & 2009.

When It’s Time to Move

Paul Scobee, an instructor for the Washington State Home Finance Commission, agrees with Krueger not to procrastinate if you know you want to make a move. 

“Right now you might be encouraged to wait by the media reporting statistics that show home sales are up 50% from what they were last year,” said Scobee, “and it’s certainly true that we are experiencing 50-year lows in interest rates.”  

“But that’s because the Federal Reserve Bank is buying mortgage-backed securities,” he said, “It takes millions of dollars to do that and it’s not a sustainable practice.” 

What do Home Sales Statics Indicate?

Scobee suggests you think of the current housing sales statistics more like a temporary anomaly rather than being indicative of a recovering housing market. 

“Like the ‘Cash for Clunkers’, the ‘First Time Buyer Program’ combined with federally controlled low interest rates has resulted in a bubble of sales that is more like a fire sale.”  

The Problem

“I was just talking with the Regional Vice President of a local bank this week and he agreed that all indicators point to a very slow rebound in home values,” said Krueger.

“Therefore, waiting another six months to a year or even two most likely is not going to see sellers realizing any significant appreciation in their home value,” she said, “and in fact, they may be facing a shrinking pool of buyers after the tax credit expires and the interest rates go up.” 

“If you’re a seller, all these foreclosed homes hitting the market are not helping you,” said Scobee, “Your competition is foreclosures and there’s more coming. 

The Good News

The First time Buyer Program has been extended.  According to both Scobee and Krueger, that is good news for buyers and therefore for sellers.  Before the First Time Buyer Program ends, there is still a window of opportunity to attract a large number of buyers if your home is selling for $400,000 or less. 

“However, if you don’t sell it in the next couple of months you’re going to be wishing you had,” he said, “Wake up and smell the coffee.  Take a month or so to do repairs and then get it on the market.  If you wait, it will only be more painful to sell later.”

– ilene little for Wesley Homes

Join us on Thursday, February 18th at 1:30 p.m in The Terrace Auditorium at Wesley Homes Des Moines. We’ll have FREE pie and coffee for you to enjoy while you learn what’s happening in the local real estate market. With the extended home-buyer tax credit, a soft inventory of homes for sale and interest rates still relatively low; this could be a great time to sell a home and make the move to Wesley Homes.

Also, learn about Easy Transitions, Wesley Homes’ program to help future residents plan, prepare and make a move. Other speakers for our REAL ESTATE FORECAST are:

Al Franzen of Windermere Real Estate in Federal Way will share what the professionals expect for the housing market this year. Learn about staging your home to be more attractive to buyers.

Easy Transitions Transition Counselor, Janice Ridge offers a wealth of resources to help you prepare for your move now or in the future. Learn steps you can take that make it easy for a buyer to buy your home.

SASH (Sell A Senior’s Home) offers a unique opportunity for a quick sale. Founder, Rebecca Bomann shares her outlook for the market and what SASH can do for you.

RSVP to Sue Cook at 206-870-1115. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, Feb. 18th.