By Nikki Deckon
May is National Moving Month. Yet, with the world on pause due to COVID-19, many are hesitant to make significant changes in housing. So the question becomes, should you even continue to consider residing in a senior living community, especially with several in the news recently? As the only Life Plan Community in Oregon, Friendsview is uniquely qualified to ensure your well-being regardless of a pandemic, and here’s why:
- A faith-based community provides faith-based support. The international movement “Belonging Matters” teaches that when you have a sense of belonging, you are more likely to be healthier physically and emotionally. The best way to feel like you belong is in community. The mission of Friendsview is to provide active residential living and quality continuing care to seniors in a Christ-centered community. Faith is a priority at Friendsview. Faith has united us during the COVID-19 crisis in many ways. Our Spiritual Care Team comprised of over twenty residents, many former ministers, reach out to residents via phone calls, emails and cards. The Social Worker in Health Services regularly connects with residents and family members to address concerns. Staff leadership meets every week and frequently prays together. There are also prayer chains, virtual bible studies, staff devotionals and more even amidst stay-at-home orders. Also, family members can send Care Cards via our website. At Friendsview we make it our goal that no resident feels alone or neglected whether they moved here a decade ago or yesterday.
- Need a delicious meal made with fresh, local ingredients or groceries delivered to your doorstep? No problem, Dining Services has you covered! The Friendsview Dining Services team helps residents with physical distancing by delivering nutritious, delicious meals every day. This means you never have to cook again if you don’t want to. As one resident says, “The meals are so lovingly cooked and packaged.” But we don’t stop there. There’s no need to go to the grocery store for food and non-essential items. Simply order your groceries from Dining Services. For non-food items we have dedicated staff members that make store runs three times a week. Living at Friendsview means you can be a foodie and not have to turn on the stove ever again.
- Friendsview Care at Home program gives family members peace of mind. A huge stressor for families across the globe right now involves the care for older adults. Our Care at Home program relieves some of that burden. Here is what Laura, the Care at Home Administrator says, “Although residents typically say that they don’t feel that they need extra help they recognize that it provides peace of mind for their family members. One resident in particular has said, ‘I took care of people all my life and now it’s my turn. I am loving it!’ The biggest motivation for people to use home care is to extend their independence and avoid a premature move to a health care area. Sometimes a little bit of support goes a long way toward maintaining health and independence.” If your health needs change you have access to higher levels of care right here on campus. This is peace of mind for your children and grandchildren that is priceless.
- Our COVID-19 team keeps us safe. When government agencies began expressing concerns about a pandemic, we formed a team comprised of both staff and residents. Our priority has always been the safety of all residents and team members. With open communication and prompt responses to CDC recommendations the virus has not spread through our community. Every day we do our part to aggressively prevent and mitigate the spread as we deliver compassionate care under challenging circumstances. You can feel secure knowing that everyone at Friendsview is working to keep you safe and healthy.
Considering a Life Plan Community during a time when the media is shouting out gloomy warnings for the future may be overwhelming. We just want to remind you of what Fred Rogers from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”” We are committed to being one of those helpers by serving the needs of residents, enhancing their self-reliance and wellness and providing opportunities for meaningful contribution. We can also help you decide if Friendsview is right for you. To find out more about the other amazing benefits to living in a Friendsview neighborhood, click here.
Nikki Deckon has been on staff at Friendsview since 2018 in various roles and in long term care for several years. Before working with seniors, she wrote/produced hundreds of talk radio programs and vignettes; was published in a couple of editions of Chicken Soup for the Soul and other print publications including The Oregonian, Kids NW, The Sun and more. After twenty years of marriage she feels that she’s still in the “honeymoon” phase and is enjoying raising her teenage boys in Newberg, a mere two miles from Friendsview.
