When Cathy Crask started working for the Episcopal Church Home (ECH), she had no idea what a blessing her new job would be to her family. Cathy’s sister Donna Crask’s healthcare needs were changing, and Cathy knew that having her sister, Donna, live alone was not sustainable. Although Donna felt she was managing well in her home, her younger sister felt differently. Cathy could see that even though Donna did not need a great deal of services now, in the future, she likely would need more support.
Cathy has a busy life of her own: a new job, an active partner, and her garden. She can’t be there all the time for her sister. Both of their parents have passed away, and they depended on one another for family support. “With our parents gone, if something were to happen to me, I worried about Donna,” shared Cathy.
Cathy began working part-time at ECH in the summer of 2022. She recalls being so excited about the position since it is hard to find professional part-time work. Cathy had retired from a career during COVID-19 but wanted a meaningful job several hours a week. “ECH has been one of the best places to work. It has a wonderful work culture. I soon discovered that the great culture also extended to the residents,” she said. “So, when Donna decided that she would benefit by living in a residential community, I suggested she visit ECH.”
Another blessing, according to Cathy, is that ECH had just completed a master plan for the community. As part of the redevelopment, ECH created a new assisted living community called Lyndon House, with 22 apartments for older adults. The Lyndon House neighborhood provides residents with the highest quality of life possible in a safe, fun, and enriching environment. A key differentiator of Lyndon House is the service “levels.” Residents can receive various levels of care designed to provide the best value for our residents. The residents may only need a lower level of intermittent support at first, but as their needs change with their daily routines or health needs, additional levels of support can be provided. Cathy knew that this would allow Donna to receive the appropriate level of care that she needed over time.
Other assisted living communities offer more of a one-size-fits-all approach. “One of Episcopal Church Home’s values is person-centeredness,” shares Beverly Edwards, Vice President of Residential Healthcare. “Because of this principle, it is important that our service packages meet our residents where they are in life. No one wants to pay for what they don’t need or have to move to get a minimal increase in care.” Lyndon House is an assisted living household, so residents who need skilled nursing services would move to another household following the regulations. Still, the levels of assisted living allow residents to live in Lyndon House longer.
“This was a main point for me,” said Cathy. “If she [Donna] needs skilled nursing, it is here. She won’t need to leave the community.” The continuum of care model is very important to families. The continuum allows residents to move to other areas if and when a resident’s needs change.
For Donna, what appealed to her was the social nature of the community. “There is such a variety of things going on at ECH. You didn’t see anyone out and about in some of the places I visited. That didn’t appeal to me since I am so social,” recalls Donna. She remembered how isolating COVID was for her since she really likes to be active and around people. “It was rough because no one could come around.”
“I like my independence,” said Donna. “The thought of living with family didn’t appeal to me.” Donna likes having her own space. A patio home would have been too much like her own home -- too isolating. Lyndon House gives her independence with her own apartment, but friends are nearby – down the hall or next door.
In fact, her new best friend is an 89-year-old woman who also lives in Lyndon House. Donna is excited about her friend’s upcoming birthday and how the Lyndon “family” will celebrate together. For Donna, it is about the other residents and the staff. “The staff have become friends as well. I love hearing about their families and lives.” The staff listens to Donna as well. “I have made suggestions for programs and activities, and they have acted on my ideas.” Donna loves to walk and spend time chatting and sharing ideas with others. Other residents love the art and crafts, which Donna jokes about not being her thing. However, the team makes sure that there is something for all residents.
Edwards shared that Donna’s helping with activities is another example of person-centered care. “It is our residents’ home. We work in their home. They don’t live in our workplace. It sounds like a subtle difference, but it is everything.” Of course, we would want to hear about our resident’s ideas and suggestions. After all, it is their home.
Cathy recalled another reason ECH was the right place for her sister. “I’ve spent my career in the corporate business world. Of late, more and more investment groups are buying senior living facilities with one goal: to increase revenue. ECH has no such incentive, which is evident from the organization’s not-for-profit status.” Episcopal Church Home strives to provide the best care possible for its residents versus increasing their stock price or paying out higher dividends. “It is why I work here and, more importantly, why I have such peace knowing that Donna is well-cared for by an organization “in it for the right reasons.”
ECH provides the best of all worlds: independence and support. Residents like Donna can have an independent or private apartment, come and go when they wish, participate in activities that interest them, and have a voice in the workings of their home. At the same time, if their needs change, they have the peace of mind of knowing that care is there for them. “Too much or too little would not fit Donna well,” said Cathy. “At ECH, it’s home and just what she needs.”
To determine if Lyndon House is right for your loved one or to schedule a tour of ECH, contact us today.