Ardenwoods’residents have found that their senior living health care is well attended and easily navigated with the help of our dedicated team of professional care-givers and medical personel. Our senior living community offers a range of residential options, amenities, and programs that all center around healthy active living.
Each resident at Ardenwoods has access toa Wellness Navigator who can help set up a customized health and wellness plan, answer health questions, and ensure that residents receive seamless access to multiple care options.
Helping Navigate Senior Living Health Care
Felicia Kimzey, Wellness Navigator at Ardenwoods, oversees and promotes the emotional and mental well-being of independent living residents and helps residents meet their individual requirements for senior living health care.
“I do that in a lot of ways. One way is through the fitness program where we work with residents to set up customized fitness plans. Another way is by overseeing resident’s medical appointments, procedures, questions and concerns. I am an advocate and liaison for residents in independent living, especially in medical settings when close family members are not available.”
Felicia plans her day around the residents and their needs.
“We always have at least one priority case to attend to. Then throughout the day, there are residents who need a little extra attention or help, so I’ll check in with them. That could be by phone, or I’ll go to their apartment, hang out for an hour. I try to make that personal and casual, so they feel open to talk with me.”
Should an emergency arise, Felicia and Ardenwoods’ team of Certified Nursing Assistants have pagers that are connected to each residents’ emergency pendant they receive upon move-in.
“If they press that, I get called and help facilitate those emergencies. Whether that’s helping someone who’s fallen, calling 911 and coordinating that, or notifying the family,” Felicia explained.
“Our CNAs are a 24-hour backup in case medical assistance is needed.”
“I have a relationship with a few skilled nursing places, should that be necessary. Then I stay in touch with those discharge planners as well to see what care might be needed when the resident comes back to independent living at Ardenwoods.”
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Guiding Through Transitions
As a social worker with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Felicia has a keen awareness for humans, the aging process, and the emotions and physical declines that go with that.
“I feel I have a broader understanding of that process and how people might feel. It has helped me to be more empathetic and compassionate – with residents and with family members. It’s important to be compassionate with them because whatever their loved one is going through, they feel some piece of it.”
Felicia can usually identify those in independent living who may be ready for a higher level of care simply by observing her residents. And often, residents themselves will come to her and point out a neighbor who might need additional assistance.
“It’s nice to have these eyes all over the place helping me out. Then, I’ll contact the resident and, if necessary, their family or doctors.”
Residents have access to in-home health care with physical therapy, if needed, through Ardenwoods’ on-campus home care agency. “They can provide anywhere from 15 minutes to 24-hour care to keep the resident in independent living longer,” says Felicia.
“If a resident doesn’t want to do that and needs a higher level of care, I communicate with the director at our assisted living residence, Heather Glen, and see if that resident might be appropriate for assisted living. Then comes the tough conversation with the family. That always comes from a place of caring so they know it’s not that we can’t care for their loved one anymore, but that we want to provide the best care for them at the correct level.”
It’s the Relationship That Matters
“Because of the nature of the work I do, I’m able to build personal relationships with each resident that others might not be able to form. I get to see residents at their best and worst and be there through hardships that they may otherwise face alone. So, because of that, we form a mutual trust and relationship that I value.”
To find out more about how Ardenwoods senior living health care in our community allow us to guide you or a loved one through a healthy and vibrant senior life, get in touch with us at 828-684-7330.
Our Team of Experienced Professionals at Heather Glen