Person Centered Care

One of the most popular trends in senior adult living is the focus on “person centered care” and “person centered perks.” We know that person centered care is clinical care and is specific and unique to an individual.

While we might think that “person centered perks” is different than care, in reality we can address it the same way. What do we need to do to keep our residents engaged and connected to the world around us? The word “perks” changes the dynamic because we are no longer talking about medicine or therapy. We are talking about “lifestyle.” So now we can ask the question, “What can we do to improve the lifestyle of our residents?”  While we believe that we offer a unique lifestyle at Fellowship Square Mesa we also believe that we need to improve every single day.

1.      Our technology needs to be current and accessible to everyone. We have recently deployed the “Center of Aging Excellence Resident Portal.” This virtual and physical Portal enables our residents to schedule repairs, transportation and even RSVP for a special event, all from the comfort of their apartments. In addition they can view their bill, see an interactive calendar, the weekly menu, TV Guide, and newsletter.

2.      Recreation, exercise, and health and wellness programs need to be robust and include a plethora of options: group classes, individual sessions with a trainer, open gym times, walking programs and health & wellness classes are an example of what we offer.

3.      Lifelong learning classes are available to every resident who lives on our campus: independent living, assisted living, memory care, etc. Classes are presented by our trained staff and include topics that our residents easily relate to: “Anne and Charles Lindbergh,” “Henry Ford,” “Route 66,” “1935, It Was a Big Deal,” and “All that Jazz!” Our residents have an opportunity to engage in conversation and reminisce about their experiences with these topics.

The one size-fits-all approach to lifestyle programs is no longer relevant for our hip residents! Contact us to learn more about our exciting community by visiting our website www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org or by calling 1.888.460.2182

Will You Be My Neighbor?

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor,” says Mr. Rogers.

You might be interested in learning that at Fellowship Square-Mesa we have a strong felling of community enhanced by a network of individual neighborhoods. How does that work you might ask. Every floor in our multi-story buildings acts and feels like a good old fashioned neighborhood; we abandoned the “nursing care look and feel” over 20 years ago and today our residents live and thrive in a home like atmosphere with friendly neighbors living next door.

Today each floor has a comfortable gathering space, kitchen and meeting room. Residents get to know the people on their floor as if they were the “neighbor next door.” Several of the neighborhoods begin their day with morning coffee, a home-made sweet treat (baked that morning by one of the residents), the newspaper and friendly neighbors.

When asked about the benefits of living in a senior adult community with a neighborhood atmosphere, residents tell us there are three things that stand out for them.

1.       Peaceful living. Our residents find it is far more peaceful to live among neighbors that they know and that like and respect each other. They also tell us that the way that happens is by getting to know everyone on the floor.

2.       Safety first. Good neighbors watch out for each other. Our residents check in on someone they may not have seen during the day. If someone is ill or recovering from an illness then their neighbors will check in to make sure they are doing OK.

3.       Social connections. Some old fashioned neighborhoods thrive on over-the-fence conversations each day. Our neighborhoods are like that. Residents say that having people close by to socialize with creates wonderful and long lasting friendships.

The “neighborhood” concept at Fellowship Square-Mesa is what sets us apart from other communities. We have programs that assist in assimilation and connection with our community but our individual neighborhoods are the glue that holds it all together. As Mr. Rodgers said, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

Visit us online today @ http://www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/as/mesa/

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Fellowship Square Mesa

We are pleased to announce our new Corporate Sponsor in the 

Phoenix SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options 

“The Longevity Dividend”

Life expectancy in the United States is at an all-time high. You have probably heard the terms “healthy aging,” or “improved quality-of-life;” our favorite is “Longevity Dividend.”  Advertisers use these terms to entice you to spend money with them and senior adult communities often use these terms to attract new residents. Of course the challenge with these terms is that they are often defined by the marketing department instead of by residents.

At Fellowship Square-Mesa we take these terms very seriously and we strive to be a Center of Aging Excellence. We work every day to make certain that our residents are provided with the opportunity to achieve “healthy aging,” and a high standard of “quality-of-life.”

Nutritious Meals.  Research has shown that eating regular meals that contain protein, fresh vegetables & fruit, and fewer carbohydrates result in a healthier senior population. Alternative meals and special dietary needs can be easily accommodated. Don’t be afraid to ask! When you feel better you have less stress in your life, more energy and are more likely to engage in social interaction, (USDA, Nutrition.gov).  

Social Interaction. Social connections help senior adults stay active and mobile, and can even slow the rate of cognitive decline. At Fellowship Square-Mesa we provide a variety of planned events and activities. We encourage every resident to study the monthly calendar and find the events that appeal to them and make that event a regular occurrence.

Intellectual Stimulation. The idea of keeping our “brains healthy” is way beyond crossword puzzles, computer games, and Bingo. We realized a long time ago that our residents wanted current information about our community and exposure to technology and lifelong learning classes. Learning is a way for us to stay connected to the world around us, learn things that we may not know, engage with our fellow residents and improve our brain fitness.

Fitness or Wellness Programs. Physical activity is important for everyone but especially for senior adults who are concerned with healthy aging, “Stay Strong to Live Long.” Exercise can energize your mood, relieve stress, help you manage symptoms of illness and pain and improve your overall sense of well-being. At Fellowship Square-Mesa we provide many opportunities for our residents on a variety of levels: cardio workouts, fitness classes, and classes for improving posture and balance.

Take the steps necessary to improve or sustain your quality-of-life today. Try something new; don’t make up your mind that you won’t like it before you’ve tried it. Most of all make a commitment to be healthy and happy and you will benefit from the “Longevity Dividend!”

Visit us online @ www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/campus/az/mesa/