Greater New Orleans is one of Louisiana’s most sought-after destinations, not just for visitors, but people wanting to live in a culturally vibrant and enriching locale soaked in southern hospitality. With innumerable draws for people of all ages, it isn’t surprising that it’s also well suited for aging adults, whose options for assisted living and nursing care are both abundant and accommodating. Whether aging in place or seeking a new home in a retirement community, aging well is possible in a number of ways. The following area providers have offered up some of the latest industry news, as well as new services and offerings for older adults in the area.
Poydras Home
5354 Magazine St.
PoydrasHome.com • 897-0535
With roots dating back to 1817, Poydras Home offers an historic, peaceful Uptown setting for its residents. As a “Life Plan” community, Poydras Home offers varying degrees of support for residents, from independent living to assisted living and nursing care. Additionally, Poydras Home offers an adult day program for adults still living at home.
According to Erin Kolb, Vice President of Resident Services, residents select Poydras Home for its “genteel atmosphere and highly individualized care.”
Independent living residents enjoy private apartments with full kitchens, housekeeping support, and dinner provided nightly in a dedicated Independent Living dining room.
“When residents enter Poydras Home’s Oak House Assisted Living, they can access multiple levels of assisted living care, allowing the flexibility to age in place. Classic Assisted Living includes all meals and snacks served in our assisted living dining room as well as housekeeping support within our private assisted living suites equipped with a kitchenette and WiFi, releasing our residents from these daily duties to enjoy life to the fullest,” says Kolb. “Varying degrees of personal assistance with activities of daily living are available to those who need additional care.”
If advanced healthcare becomes necessary, residents can progress to a private room in Poydras Home’s nursing care.
Christwood
100 Christwood Blvd.
Covington
ChristwoodRC.com • (985) 898-0515
On the Northshore, Christwood retirement community offers a complete range of residential health care services and independent living on its 117-acre campus with apartments and cottage homes, fishing ponds and trails, and a 23,000-squarefoot community center with a state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor, salt-water pool, the Lotus Spa and other amenities.
“Christwood provides a full spectrum of services including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care and soon-to-come cognitive memory care all on one campus,” says Elizabeth Jackson, Director of Marketing. This month, Christwood is slated to open Longleaf at Christwood, a cognitive memory care center with 28 private suites and an adult day care program for residents and members of greater community.
Christwood is also excited to launch Christwood at Home, a program for adults aged 60 and up who are healthy and independent, and want to continue living at home with a dependable plan in place for their future.
“This a customized plan that will provide personal assistance and care as needed and in accordance with their wishes to help maintain their health and wellness as well as their independent lifestyle,” says Jackson.
John J. Hainkel, Jr. Home & Rehabilitative Center
612 Henry Clay Ave.
HainkelHome.com • 896-5900
It is important to remember that assisted living can be a temporary service, especially if someone is recovering from a procedure or medical event. For short, long-term or rehabilitative care, the John J. Hainkel Home has been community resource for generations. Located near Audubon Park on Henry Clay Avenue, the Hainkel Home provides necessary rehabilitative services such as post-surgical recovery therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy. A number of amenities and activities are also available for patients as they seek recovery and wellness at the Hainkel Home.
Peristyle Residences
3520 Cleary Ave.
Metairie
PeristyleResidences.com • 259-0326
While some communities offer home-like apartments for residents within a larger building or campus, Peristyle Residences is an assisted living concept that places residents in actual Greater New Orleans homes.
“As a Level 1 Assisted Living Community, our spacious residential home setting with private rooms in beautiful and safe neighborhoods sets us apart from other residential communities and memory care units,” says Jason Hemel, CEO. “Our caregiver-to-resident ratio of one to four is the best in senior living,” he says. This month, Peristyle Residences will open a new home called Beau Maison, which features its own chapel – a new amenity for Peristyle.
Also new to the company is Becca Stone, a full-time certified music therapist who studies the positive effects of music therapy on dementia and Alzheimer’s patients at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Peristyle Residences is excited to incorporate music therapy and other activities to make each day meaningful and potentially slow the progression of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Peristyle Residences also recently brought on chef Aaron Burgau of Patois Restaurant as a consultant on a new menu featuring more freshly grown ingredients and to provide instruction to staff on how to properly prep flavorful New Orleans-style meals.
Lambeth House
150 Broadway St.
LambethHouse.com • 865-1960
At Lambeth House, located along the crook of the Mississippi in Uptown’s Riverbend, residents benefit from technology training, one of the latest trends in retirement community services. Through a partnership with a local organization, Lambeth House offers technology support and training, giving residents the ability to remain connected to family and friends and to explore other interests through computers, tablets and mobile devices.
“Residents ultimately choose Lambeth House for the myriad amenities and the convenience of maintenance-free living,” says Chief Operating Officer Jeré Hales. “The latest and best amenity that we’ve added is our Wellness Center. As a recipient of Merit Award for Designs on Aging from the American Institute of Architecture, the Wellness Center and its personalized programs make Lambeth House a distinctive community.”
Furthering that sense of community, Lambeth House’s newest resident-driven programs are a representation of residents’ engagement and diverse interests. Examples include an arts program and resident-led discussion groups on philosophy and history.
Lambeth House offers a continuum of care through independent living and assisted living as well as nursing and memory care at St. Anna’s at Lambeth House.
“No matter where you live at Lambeth House, all residents enjoy the quality of luxury living with all the comforts of home,” says Hales.
Home Care Solutions
3421 N. Causeway Blvd.
Suite 502, Metairie
HomeCareNewOrleans.com • 828-0900
For some aging adults, a desire persists to continue living in their own home, even when assistance with activities is needed.
“There are positive, emotional benefits to remaining in one’s familiar surroundings. In addition, adapting to health and lifestyle changes is often less stressful in the comforts of home,” says Analiza Schneider, Marketing Representative of Home Care Solutions. Owned and operated by two local women, each with over 25 years of experience as social workers specializing in Geriatric Care Management, Home Care Solutions aims to keep loved ones safe and comfortable while giving families peace of mind. Every service begins with an in-home assessment and personalized plan tailored to the client’s needs.
“The unique service that Home Care Solutions offers and that we are expanding at this time is Aging Life Care Management. Our professional Care Management services are a good fit for families who face challenges in taking care of their elderly relatives, as well as legal, financial and medical professionals who are working with aging clients and their families,” says Schneider.
According to Schneider, Aging Life Care™ is holistic and client centered, and Home Care Solutions’ Aging Life Care Managers™ are experts in aging well who assess social, emotional, and health needs, develop and coordinate care plans, manage crises, educate and advocate for clients and their families, provide coaching and counseling, and collaborate with other professionals.
GIFTED Healthcare
2748 Metairie Lawn Drive
Metairie
GiftedHealthcare.com • 831-2123
Formerly known as GIFTED Nurses, the recently expanded GIFTED Healthcare also offers in-home care for those who choose to age in place and stay in the home. Owned by nurses, the company employs skilled clinicians of all certifications for patients in homes, hospitals, and other healthcare institutions, as well as accompaniment during travels.
“We ensure that each nurse has the professional experience, education and integrity required for a patient’s needs. Our staff carefully match caregivers to patients and their families based both on the needs and personality of the patient,” says Mullady Voelker, President of Patient Care Services at GIFTED Healthcare. Beyond nursing care, GIFTED Healthcare also offers sitters and companion care.
“We provide options, depending on the level of care the individual needs – sitters can provide help with daily activities, while Registered Nurses help patients who need a high level of care and want to remain in the home.” says Voelker.
These companions and sitters can assist with bathing and dressing, walking and exercise, medication reminders, transportation, meal planning and numerous other activities.
