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Showing posts with label assisted living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label assisted living. Show all posts

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Review: Clare Bridge Crossing at Clare Bridge Highlands Ranch: Dementia and Alzheimers Care, Denver, Colorado

by Jim Holmes

A vital part of my job as a Certified Senior Housing Professional & Senior Real Estate Specialist along the Denver Front Range is staying abreast of the various senior communities in the area that may be helpful to my clients or their family caregivers when the time comes for an older adult to transition - or right size - to a senior community.


So last week I made it a point to be at the Expansion Open House & Ribbon Cutting for the new Clare Bridge Crossings at Clare Bridge Highlands Ranch, part of the Brookdale Senior Living family of communities. Clare Bridge Crossings is Brookdale’s newest senior living solution designed for those in the early to mid-stages of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Jim Holmes and Britny Otto

I spent some time speaking with Britny Otto, the Executive Director of the community, and discovered that the staff is carefully vetted, selected and trained to manage the challenges associated with dementia. Their approach - called the Clare Bridge Daily Path - provides a gentle structure to each day that targets specific needs of those with Alzheimer's and various types and levels of dementia. It features:

Morning Mental Workout - Daily late morning mental exercises including discussions, brain stimulating games, and reminiscing.

Daily Physical Activity - A variety of exercise opportunities including group exercises, walking programs and dancing.

Daily Life Skills - Individual or group activities that provide a sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging.

Person Centered Life Enrichment Programming - Activities are designed using the resident's own social history information as a foundation.



As I walked about the community, I found that the interior design has been perfectly set to feel like that of a private home and the enclosed walking areas give residents a chance to move around and exercise, while also maintaining a standard of safety.


The Clare Bridge Dining Program, awarded a top level certification by the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is a nutritional and dining program designed by a team of specialists to help those with Alzheimer's and dementia. It offers dementia-friendly menus, individualized dining assistance, a supportive environment and consistent seating arrangements.

If you're an older adult or the family caregiver of one ready to rightsize, please feel free to contact me for further insights and advice on senior living options across the Denver Front Range and/or for assistance with other senior real estate services.



Custom Mountain Estate on 35.18 acres with incredible grounds, spectacular views of snow capped mountains includes guest house with 834 SF oversized heated garage located in gated community. The English Country home built by Nicholas Custom features finest finishes and millwork and was recently updated and remodeled. Main floor includes formal dining with adjacent butler pantry and wet bar, living room/music room, a gourmet kitchen with a huge center island, slab granite, separate Sub Zero Refrigerator and Freezer, two dishwashers, large country sink and additional prep sink, double ovens, microwave and stove, large walk-in pantry and custom 42 cabinetry. Adjacent to kitchen is a large casual dining room with three-sided fireplace, family room shares fireplace, spectacular sun room/office. Main floor master suite has sitting area, gorgeous master bath with heated spa tub, radiant tiled floors, separate vanities, large steam shower, his and her walk-in closets. Evergreen Schools.



Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Mrs. Wyoming 2013 Visits Holly Creek Retirement Community

A few weeks ago I stopped by the Art Walk at Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial, one of the many events they have going on during their "Summer Open House" series.

Imagine my surprise when I came across Mrs. Wyoming 2013, Atana Velasquez! Well, of course I had to get my picture taken with her.

Mrs. Wyoming is related to Donna Nelson, one of the stellar staffers at Holly Creek. - Jim



I also want to point out that Holly Creek offers a non-stop series of activities and presentations nearly every single day, designed to enlighten, inform, and entertain seniors. And you don't have to be a resident to attend.

If you're an area senior or the caregiver of one, feel free to stop by and take in the events and educational lectures at any time. Here's a list of their past events in July of 2013 alone.

Art Walk







Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Holly Creek Retirement Community Summer Open House

I absolutely love it when I see a senior living community in the Denver area that provides a unique arrangement of activities and events for their residents. And when those events include participation from the public and local citizens, it's all the better!

And things are hopping this month at Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial as their Summer Open House celebrations are well underway with a variety of activities including an Art Walk, speakers on Heart Healthy Nutrition and Cooking, and a discussion on an embattled Mideast culture, all designed to enlighten, entertain, and engage. I hope you'll stop by and join in the fun! - Jim Holmes


Things got underway with a kickoff breakfast on May 31 and June 1, and the residents and staff were also awesome enough to quickly put together a benefit bake sale on June 4, with all proceeds designed to help the Oklahoma tornado victims.

Active Minds: Kurds
June 10
3pm

Holly Creek residents and guests (anyone from the community is welcome to attend) will explore the complicated dynamic of 30 million people Kurdish people in the Middle East and seek to understand the Kurdish people and their struggle. The Kurds are an ethnic group of approximately 30 million with origins in a part of the Middle East that has been surrounded by the historic powers of the region. Today, the traditional lands of the Kurds are divided into parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. As a minority in each of these countries, the Kurds have long sought their own sovereign nation or at least more autonomy, with mixed results.


Heart Healthy Nutrition with the Cooking Cardiologist 
June 13
1:30pm

The engagement and enlightenment at Holly Creek continues! Join Dr. Richard Collins, "The Cooking Cardiologist" with South Denver Cardiology Associates, and Susan Buckley, RD, as they explore the relationship between heart disease and nutrition. Dr. Collins is a nationally known speaker and practicing cardiologist who will provide you with information on how diet improves cardiovascular health and how making changes at any age will make a huge difference!



Art Walk and Reception 
Thursday, June 20th
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m

Join Holly Creek's first Art Walk & Reception in the town center that will feature a group of local Colorado artists and some of the Holly Creek resident artists as well. Each artist will be displaying their art work for viewing and some pieces will be available for purchase. Come on down and enjoy the varied and beautiful art work while munching on some delicious appetizers and wine.

RSVP to 720.266.5610 or to dnelson@clcmail.org

Again, these folks  events are open to the public and part of the Holly Creek Summer Open House season. Come by and enjoy.


Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Denver Assisted Living: Christian Living Communities

My friends at Christian Living Communities put on another splendid evening on April 25 at their Holly Creek Community in Centennial. I'm always happy to take part in their events and this one - the 8th Annual Aged to Perfection mixer - was a nice way to spend the night, networking and mingling with others, while lending a hand to a very worthwhile organization in our area. Nearly 350 folks enjoyed wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction.


Proceeds support their mission of providing services for seniors in a manner that reflects Christian love, respect and compassion and that sets the highest of standards for service and care of our elders.


As a Denver Realtor, I regularly come across senior citizens and their caregiver families who are selling the family home and require a great spot for Mom or Dad to downsize to and receive assisted living care. I'm very grateful that all of us in this area can count on Christian Living Communities across south Denver to provide this sort of service on a non-profit basis.