Arden Courts at Anderson Township

I moved my mom here in April and thought it was such a great place that I was moved and got a part time job in the activities. That did not last but continued to come visit my mom and the other residents that I have become very close to! I spent my own money to buy costumes and treats for everyone to make it the most fun! I have offered to cut the residents hair for free as they do not have anyone else and I no long keep up my license. I have even been contacted by family that they got my number from the facility! But when cutting hair I am confused by the directors question asking if I have permission from the family? I said well they contacted me and said they got my number from the office! Of course I’d never just grab a resident and cut their hair! I’m totally confused and apparently they have no communication! Everyone is happy to see me when I come, I truly thought I was bringing joy to the residents! But lately I have been made to feel so uncomfortable and unwelcome! Am I crazy?

We couldn’t be more grateful for the care my husband receives at Arden Courts. From the day he arrived, we felt welcomed and supported. The staff is exceptional—kind, attentive, and patient. They take the time to get to know each resident and make sure all of my husband’s needs are met. The atmosphere is warm and home-like, which the transition so much easier for our family. I have peace of mind knowing he is in a place where he is not only safe but genuinely cared for. I cant thank the staff enough for the comfort they bring to our lives.

LIFE CHANGING!!! The necessity of my father’s move to memory care was sudden, so we scrambled and made the choice to place him in a truly beautiful memory support wing~ in an assisted living facility. The community is beautiful, but the care and the heartache felt by our family each time we left was a dark, dark, ugly space. We needed a change after just three weeks. Arden Courts in Anderson Twp is two minutes from my parent’s home so we’d driven by it thousands of times. Only our unhappiness at the other place made us notice that the AC campus is labeled as solely memory care. Mom and I stopped in, impromptu and were INSTANTLY relieved. Alicia happened to be in the foyer, and welcomed us warmly. The moment we started our tour, we could sense this place was different~ in the best ways. The facility itself is laid out differently~ thoughtfully~ and Alicia explained the “why” for every little thing, allowing us to fully understand how my Dad, as an Alzheimer’s patient, experiences things we’d never considered. The neighborhoods are identifiable in three ways to allow residents to more easily recognize where they are in the facility. Color. Theme (the sitting/activity area outside the neighborhood entry). SOUND. Dad lives in Berry Ridge, and often recognizes the birds chirping as “home”. The need for three identifiable prompts was a consideration I’d have NEVER known, but it now makes perfect sense. Alicia went on and on, making me feel like I’d learned everything there is to know about how an Alzheimer’s patient sees the world. Then Shannon came to Dad’s first facility to evaluate him… Her expertise, warmth and true investment in “her families” is stunning. STUNNING. She immediately rang the call light to inquire about several things she saw that needed attention relating to Dad, his care, and his room. We waited for 36 minutes for an aide to come…Dad moved to Arden Courts the next afternoon. From the moment “we” moved in, we knew it was home. We’ve been an Arden Courts family for nearly three months now, visiting daily. EVERY staff member~ working in Dad’s neighborhood or not~ speaks to us first when we see them. After about three weeks there, I noticed that aides working in other neighborhoods that day would go out of their way to come say hello~ or tease him playfully~ whatever their relationship is with him~ several times a day. They couldn’t have known family was there. They came simply because they care for my father. Truly. Genuinely. As a family member, I cannot tell you how wonderful that feels! Knowing my loved one is treasured, well cared for and SAFE even when “we” aren’t there silenced any guilt, sadness or fear when it was time for me to go for the day, etc. My Mom and I are truly at peace. As the daughter, I am just as concerned about my Mom’s welfare as Dad’s. Mom was suffering early on. There was no rest for her before Arden Courts. She’d lost weight, wasn’t sleeping, couldn’t shut her brain down, and was just miserable. I am THRILLED to report that Arden Courts handed Mom HER life back!!! Yes, she visits daily~ but she is greeted with the funny stories of Dad’s antics and information as to where she’ll find him, because he is never in his room!!! He enjoys the activities and thinks Carol, the Activities Director, is one of his best friends, a title she relishes. Mom often visits at lunchtime as Dad doesn’t always like to eat by himself. Many times, the aides have remembered he doesn’t care for this or that, and have made substitutions for him that we didn’t ask for, but appreciate greatly~ because the result is his eating improved! They just get it! They pay attention, and care! Of course my Dad is special! Of course he deserves such personalized, genuine care. But EVERY resident is treated with this care and respect. I marvel at the staff, and take every opportunity to say so. They’re always grateful to hear the feedback, but without fail, my thanks is met by another funny story of an interaction with Dad. I am incredibly grateful. Like I said, LIFE CHANGING!!!