ASK AMY KOCH
A monthly column from the Executive Director of the Charles Ford Retirement Communities of New Harmony
Just what does it mean to “Live Well,” as we age?
We asked Amy Koch, Executive Director at the Charles Ford Retirement Communities of New Harmony, and she told us, “It means to be your best self regardless of age.”
Amy explains, “For most of our senior living community members ‘Living Well’ has a broad definition. For almost everyone at every age, it means to face the fact that just being alive assures that we will all, eventually, encounter the effects of the aging process. It is understandable when people want to ‘age in place’ in their homes for as long as possible, but for some, a transition into assisted living enhances independence and contributes to quality of life. It is easier if you have considered what living well means to you before you’re faced with an urgent situation.
“At the Charles Ford Retirement Communities,” Amy continues, “the Aging-in- Place concept is fulfilled through an intricate network of relationships that work to form a team-centered embrace around each individual in the community. The creation of this network is based on whatever it means for that community member to ‘live well’. Many times, as a person’s health needs change, their perspective of living well must also change; therefore, our team strategy is fluid, ever evolving and adapting.
“Our teammates begin with our Resident Assistants who are cross trained through all departments within the community to respond to individual preferences with attention to detail. This staff is supported by our Resident Services Coordinator, who is a Registered Nurse. Leading this healthcare team is the Director of Nursing Services, who coordinates each community member’s specific healthcare needs with that individual’s personal physician or physician specialist. Our Medical Director supports the medical staff and nursing team comprised of RNs LPNs and Resident Care providers,” Amy said.
“Transportation services are provided, as needed, and partnerships with mobile lab and x-ray companies enable us to provide the majority of their services in house. Also, we have daily pharmacy delivery service, emergency pharmacy service and pharmacy consultant services, which includes a review of all resident pharmacy regiments monthly, and as needed.
“Many believe ‘living well’ is enhanced by our chef-inspired meals,” Amy explains. “At the Charles Ford Retirement Communities, members may join others in the dining room each morning for a breakfast – cooked to order – while they peruse the daily chef-inspired lunch and dinner specials or select from the café style menu. Whenever possible, member preferences are honored. When ‘living well’ requires additional nutritional support, our onsite Registered Dietician is available for one-on-one consultation. On occasion when community members prefer to dine alone in their rooms, that request can be accommodated, as well; although it can be important for them to have the social interaction that occurs while eating with others.
“In addition to what I’ve mentioned,” Amy continues, “most members enjoy participating in the many programs and activities that occur within the retirement community, including the book club, gardening club, fishing and other field trips, Tai Chi, technology training, crafts, cards, exercise programs, special presentations and frequent golf cart rides.
“Sometimes ‘living well’ encounters a bump in the road caused by an accident or acute illness. On such occasions our special team includes professional support through home health services. Members in our senior living community may qualify through Medicare for their home health benefit. When acute health needs are required home health care may include specialized nursing services, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapies.
“When ‘living well’ means facing inevitable end-of-life care, our team includes hospice support. Members in our senior living community with Medicare may qualify for their in-home hospice benefit. Accepting hospice care services doesn’t mean giving up. It simply means ‘living well’ chooses to focus on the quality of life for however much time a person has left. The goal of hospice care is to reduce physical pain, create emotional wellbeing and enhance spiritual peace.”
Amy concluded by explaining that the majority of Charles Ford residents age in place and remain part of the senior living community for the entire span of this life spectrum and according to the community members, “That’s living well!”
If you’d like to learn more about living well or aging in place at the Charles Ford Retirement Communities of New Harmony, just call 812-682-4675 to schedule a tour. They always invite guests for lunch!
