By Alexander Germanis
Most of life is spent taking care of things. We take care of our homes, our yards, and our neighborhoods. We take care of our obligations and jobs, our families, and our friends. And, as soon as we are capable, we are expected to take care of ourselves: our health, our income, our education, and the list goes on.
The time does come, however, for your lifetime of taking care of things to finally be rewarded. At The Carriages of Bloomington – formerly known as Carriage Crossing Senior Living of Bloomington – it’s time to let others take care of you, so you can truly live the life you deserve.
New Name, Same Standards
Ever since Carriage Crossing Senior Living of Bloomington was established in March 2018, it has been committed to creating a welcoming, supportive environment where residents truly feel at home. While its goal will never change, the Carriage Crossing name is undergoing a transformation.
“As our company continues to grow and evolve, we’re excited to announce our updated name: The Carriages of Bloomington,” declares Community Relations Director Kaleigh Newsome. “The Carriages of Bloomington reflects the same warmth, care, and commitment our residents and families have always known, with a fresh look toward the future. Our management and mission remain unchanged: serving our residents to ensure their best possible quality of life and to allow them to ‘live the life they love.’”
Being kept to the same high standards is The Carriages’ staff. “It’s crucial to have reliable and well-trained staff to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents,” Kaleigh points out. “Proper staffing also helps improve residents’ overall quality of life.”
Maintaining an adequate number of staff is, of course, crucial to providing care to residents in a timely manner and to help prevent accidents from happening. This is especially pertinent in the case of assisted living communities.
A Growing Need
Having staff in proper numbers and trained to proper levels has never been more crucial than now, as the numbers of seniors in need of assistance is reaching an unprecedented high. “The biggest strain we are seeing are seniors waiting too long to make a move,” laments Kaleigh. “We have stayed consistently ‘full’ if not ‘close to full’ with a short-wait list over the last year. I’m often encouraging people to get on the wait list.”
Indeed, getting on a wait list to move in before one needs to make the move is highly recommended. Furthermore, when seniors move in only when the need arises it can often result in fewer years of living at lower levels of care, necessitating a move to assisted living or memory care within only one to two years.
“But our community will continue to work on growing our wait list when we are full,” Kaleigh insists, “and assisting those seniors who need urgent placement by connecting them with the best fit community for their needs.”
Simply put, don’t put off getting taken care of. At The Carriages of Bloomington, residents can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with care services, available 24/7. “Whether it’s a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nursing assistant, there is always a member of our qualified team to assist with care needs,” Kaleigh says. “Also, each staff member participates in a structured dementia-specific orientation prior to working with any resident in the community, regardless of the role they are filling. We want everyone to have the ability to best communicate and care for those who cannot care for themselves!”
Medical and health care notwithstanding, The Carriages also offers made-from-scratch, restaurant-style dining; a life enrichment program designed to appease many interests; housekeeping and laundry services; and complimentary transportation for medical and personal needs in the Bloomington-Normal area.
Care at Various Levels
The Carriages of Bloomington encourages and celebrates their residents aging in place for as long as they are able. However, should a resident’s needs expand, means are provided to make The Carriages a changing level of care home. “Our mission is to allow our residents to enhance their quality of life to keep them here as long as possible, with the help of our caring staff,” Kaleigh says.
What level of care a resident may need is determined by an assessment made both prior to moving in and annually, as needed. Assessments determine how much assistance is needed with the activities of daily living (ADLs), how dependent a resident is for each ADL, and what care assistance they’ll need while at The Carriages of Bloomington.
Should memory care be needed, INSPYRE, The Carriage’s memory care unit, describes its mission through its name:
I –
Individualized activities, tailored to each resident’s interests.
N –
Nutrition and Wellness, promoted through daily health checks, physical exercise, and customized meal plans.
S –
Sensory Stimulation that engages all senses through hands-on activities, soothing music, aroma therapies, and more.
P –
Purposeful Connection keeps residents involved with their community through group activities, social outings, and volunteering.
Y –
You-focused Care provides a blend of care, security, and independence.
R –
Rhythm and Movement through a range of music, art, and meditation therapies restore mind-body connections in a fun, relaxed setting.
E –
Environment Security, in a thoughtfully designed community, helps residents feel safe, cared for, and loved.
For those whose loved one may be in or in need of memory care, The Carriages of Bloomington also holds a dementia support group on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 PM. “It is open to our resident loved ones and to anyone from the outside public,” Kaleigh shares. “We work closely with The Alzheimer’s Association to provide some education and resources to our staff and families. We are also very involved each year with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and are an on-going sponsor of the event.”
“We also partner with families and third-party hospice agencies to help our residents age in place, through end of life, if possible,” Kaleigh adds. “It doesn’t always work out this way, but it does for many. Others may need to transition to a skilled care community. If this is the case, we partner with the family to find the best fit community option for their loved one.”
Serving Is a Joy
Before earning her degree specializing in Interpersonal Communication from Illinois State University, Kaleigh had already discovered her passion at the age of 16: helping the senior population and their loved ones. “I have loved being a trusted advisor for seniors and their loved ones and assisting them with their care needs,” she says, “whether that be independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, or in-home care. Finding the best care solution to help improve their overall quality of life is rewarding to me!”
Kaleigh is not alone. Other members of The Carriages team feel the same. Concierge Cindy Jensen says, “Working at The Carriages of Bloomington has never felt like a job, but more like a ministry. I feel blessed to work with wonderful people who share my passion for making a difference in someone’s life. We get to come into the home of some amazing people with a rich history and background, and each life has a story to share.”
“Working here is incredibly rewarding because I am able to contribute to the overall wellbeing of the residents in all ways of wellness: physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual,” shares Memory Care Life Enrichment Assistant Kayla Akyuz. “With my background in art education, I am able to bring creativity into activities. Being able to touch on all of these areas and see the positive effects on the residents’ lives makes every day fulfilling to me.”
Bringing happiness through his artform is how Culinary Director Fred Lamb feels the joy of service. “It is very rewarding to work here because my job consists of helping people have a brighter day. We do this through food, conversation, and fellowship with the residents. Hopefully they get as much out of it as I do.”
Take Care Now
When it comes time to consider the move to a senior living community, the first and last thoughts should be about where one can get the best care. Whether a person needs assistance with ADLs, help with housekeeping, the enjoyment of well-cooked daily meals, or just easily accessible friendship, The Carriages of Bloomington can provide all those aspects of care.
“I’ve worked in this industry for 14 years and have never met more caring, loving, and dedicated employees,” Kaleigh assures. “I always tell families they can feel assured that their loved one will be in great hands here!”
The Carriages of Bloomington is located at 1402 Leslie Drive in Bloomington, Illinois. If you would like to take a tour to see if The Carriages is right for you or a loved one, please call us at (309) 603-2500. Or visit us on the web at www.carriageslife.com.
