This summer, much more than bees were buzzing in the courtyard of Deupree Cottages, Episcopal Retirement Services’ skilled nursing home in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood.
The sights and sounds of sawing, drilling, and hammering were seen and heard for many days as the outdoor space had a complete makeover. Residents were able to see a brand-new pavilion take shape as the seasons changed from spring to summer and now fall. The pavilion was finished and celebrated at a ribbon cutting in September.
The purpose of the Deupree Cottages courtyard renovation was to provide additional usable outdoor space for the residents, caregivers, family members, and visitors. Adding a large pavilion to the middle of the courtyard has provided a tremendous amount of shade. This covered area is primarily intended to give the daily opportunity for our residents to be outside, in the fresh air, enjoying nature and their surroundings.
“We want our residents to be able to enjoy some quiet time in a naturally beautiful place,” says Megan Bradford, Director of Strategic Initiatives for ERS. “Our residents have a chance to connect directly to nature. They can be among the birds, with enough quiet space to listen to them sing.”
The courtyard renovation was a fitting extension of Deupree Cottages, which doesn’t look or feel like a typical nursing home. Our person-centered care approach allows Cottages residents to live here on their own terms and make their own decisions about how to spend their days, free from restrictive routines.
“We want our residents to be able to enjoy some quiet time in a naturally beautiful place,” says Megan Bradford, Director of Strategic Initiatives for ERS. “Our residents have a chance to connect directly to nature. They can be among the birds, with enough quiet space to listen to them sing.”
It was important that the pavilion blends into the Cottage environment as if it has always been a part of the residents’ home.
“Residents, staff, and family caregivers have watched our courtyard change over the summer into a more inviting and useful space,” says DD Farmer, Household Coordinator for the Cottages. “Residents who may not have spent time outside are now getting out and enjoying time outdoors.”
The staff and residents of Deupree Cottages are fortunate to have a friend, Sandy Harris (right), who believes so strongly in this project that she has provided its entire funding, including ongoing landscaping.
Sandy’s interest in providing the pavilion flows smoothly from a lifelong interest in and commitment to nature. Her interest began with a physically active childhood and adolescence filled with camping, hiking, skiing, and swimming.
It continued with college academics focused heavily on natural resources and conservation, and an adult life involving many years of family camping, middle- school science teaching, birding trips, the founding of a Girl Scout troop, and daily gardening for more than 50 years.
“Residents, staff, and family caregivers have watched our courtyard change over the summer into a more inviting and useful space,” says DD Farmer, Household Coordinator for the Cottages. “Residents who may not have spent time outside are now getting out and enjoying time outdoors.”
Sandy grew to feel fervent about the importance of the out-of-doors in everyone’s life. She sees clearly in her own life that it is especially crucial to the health and happiness of older adults to maintain good connections with the natural world.
She saw this project in the Cottages courtyard as a much-needed way for its residents to spend time outdoors in a comfortable, safe, and increasingly beautiful place that is just steps from their apartments. She wants everyone to know that she does this in honor and deep appreciation of the incredible people who are providing her with loving and professional care at the Cottages.
The pavilion is an extraordinary gift to ERS staff and Deupree Cottages residents.
“It is no surprise to anyone who knows Sandy Harris that she made this gift possible because Sandy is extraordinary,” says Laura Lamb, President and CEO of ERS. “We thank her for loving the Cottages, her neighbors, and our staff, and for this amazing gift.”
Want to see the new pavilion at Deupree Cottages yourself? Give us a call at 513-561-6363 or click here to schedule your visit. We’d love to show you what a nursing home should be.
