“Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends.”
This expression certainly applies to Manorhouse Assisted Living and Memory Care in Western Henrico (13500 N. Gayton Road). I discovered this beautiful home-like community over seven years ago when I met Ken Newell, CEO of Manorhouse Management, Jim Bonnell, the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, and Valerie Robinson, the Director of Resident Relations.
Even before I had an opportunity to tour the new facility, I was impressed with the three and their shared philosophy, which Ken summed up beautifully, saying, “This is not institutional in any way. We take pride in understanding the needs of our residents. It’s not a one-size-fits-all all concept.”
Through the years, I have found much to love about Manorhouse. I recently discovered two more reasons to love the place. Those reasons? Jan Dudginski and Martha Schilthuis. Both ladies, who are in their late eighties, call Manorhouse their home.
As the facility celebrates its seventh anniversary, I decided I’d like to get an insider’s opinion. Valerie arranged for me to meet and visit with the two ladies.
Jan, who has been a resident at Manorhouse for over five years, was familiar with the community as her husband had lived in the memory care unit there for about two years before his death. Seeing the care her husband received was instrumental in her decision to move there.
“They treated him so wonderfully,” she said, “in fact, they treat everyone in memory care wonderfully.”
Valerie interjected that during those two years, Jan had visited her husband every day.
“He would wait at the window, looking for her to arrive,” she recalled.
Jan said, “My daughter lives on Mountain Road but I didn’t want to interfere in anyone’s life. I decided I liked it here (at Manorhouse) and here I am.”
Martha has been at Manorhouse for about two years. She moved in after the death of her husband. “When my husband was alive, if I had been sick, he would have called a doctor or ambulance. I didn’t want to live alone.”
Martha and her daughter began to look for an assisted living community. She told me, “My daughter chose the places we would go. I’m not sure why she picked Manorhouse, but somehow we came here. I loved Valerie. I liked it here.”
When asked what they especially like about living at Manorhouse, Jan replied, “Everything is so nice. It’s spotless and clean. Everybody is nice.”
Martha agreed, “Everybody is friends with everybody.”
I asked both ladies about the activities offered to the residents. That question prompted Jan to turn to Martha and remind her, “You’re missing your bingo today.” Jan then told me, “There’s entertainment, arts and crafts, and we have exercise sessions every morning. You can be busy every minute of the day.” Jan said she especially enjoys the weekly visits to local restaurants for lunch.
Both ladies love the full-service amenities provided. Jan said, “Every week they come and clean the whole apartment. They change the sheets, vacuum, mop, and dust.”
Martha agreed, “ We don’t have to do anything.”
Martha, who had expressed concern that she might need assistance and be unable to get it if she were living alone, told me about the alert cords each resident has in their bedroom and bathroom. “A few times I pushed that button and they came right away.”
Valerie told me that the emergency cords are tied to the facility’s nursing system. “It doesn’t have to be an emergency. They can call if they have any needs.”
While both ladies have small refrigerators and microwaves in their apartments, they generally eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the dining room. And when asked about their mealtime favorites, Jan said, “I like the corn beef and cabbage. Boy, do they do a good job on that.”
“I’m not sure what my favorite is,” Martha said. “But I’ve been very pleased.”
Both Jan and Martha are delightful women. They both have a sense of humor and a positive outlook. They’re the sort of neighbors I’d love to have regardless of where I lived.
After more than two years there, Martha summed it up nicely. Speaking of her first impression she said, “I just felt good here and I have never changed.”
If you’d like neighbors like Martha and Jan and want to know more about Manorhouse Assisted Living and Memory Care, phone 804-360-7777 or visit ManorhouseRetirement.com.