August 7, 2024 • 37 mins
Ep. 47
Imagine seamlessly transitioning into a vibrant retirement community where your physical, mental, and social wellness are all top priorities. Tune in as we chat with Cayce Miller, Sales Manager at Fairwinds Brighton Court in Lynnwood WA, who shares his compelling journey and the innovative Prime Fit Wellness Program that sets this community apart. Cayce reveals how Brighton Court fosters a welcoming culture for new residents and offers flexible care options to accommodate their evolving needs. From engaging events like the Forgotten Spirits gathering to exceptional dining options, he paints a vivid picture of life that’s both fulfilling and fun.
Join us for an inside look at the support systems and amenities designed to make the move to Brighton Court as smooth as possible. Cayce discusses the pivotal role as the moving coordinator and the convenience of month-to-month rent without a buy-in requirement. Explore the array of activities that keep residents connected, from summer festivals to casino nights, and discover how the resident council contributes to the vibrant community spirit. We also delve into trends in senior living, the growing demand for flexible care, and the exciting future offerings at Brighton Court. Whether you're contemplating a move or just curious about retirement community life, this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartwarming stories.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everyone.
This is Getting your Edge howto Right-Size your Home and Life
podcast.
I'm your host, dennis Day,along with our co-host Judy
Gratton.
Judy, say hello.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hello.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Summer.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
And we are here to help you right-size your life.
We like to say less house, morehome.
Discover downsizing with us,because our episode here today
is talking about downsizing intoa retirement community.
I have our guest today is CaseyMiller.
(00:35):
He is the sales manager of theFairwinds Brighton Court,
linwood Assisted LivingRetirement Community and he's
here to tell us about hiscommunity and about retirement
communities in general, andwe'll have some questions for
(00:59):
him.
So welcome, casey.
Why don't you start out bytelling us a little about
yourself and your role?
Full disclosure.
Casey is my nephew.
He's got good information forus.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Because he's your nephew, right.
Thanks for having me.
I appreciate it very much.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
A little bit about me .
I've actually been in this rolehere for one year just a little
over one year now and actuallythe last 20 years in a
completely different professionI was actually.
I found this job on one ofthose Google job search I don't
want to use their name, probably, but this was suggested to me
(01:42):
as a good fit.
So I applied and I knew themoment I walked through the door
that I wanted to work atFairwinds Brain.
So I've been here a little bita little over a year now and I
absolutely love it.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
A little bit about what I do.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
My job is to reach out to future residents, to
family members, and reallybridge that gap in helping
people take the next step intoretirement living and removing
those roadblocks and really it'sabout creating a culture in our
community as well.
My job is to really what Isense when I walk through the
(02:22):
door is try to find a way tocreate that same culture for
other people when they walkthrough the door that they want
to live here.
Also, I do fun activities.
I team up with our activitycoordinator here and we think of
creative new fun activities tobring people in and showcase
what we do have to offer.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Do you invite people to your activities from outside?
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Absolutely.
In fact, I create events justfor them, something that we
maybe that we haven't seenbefore.
Try to bring new people in withdifferent creative activities.
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Can you give us an example of something recent?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Sure we're actually doing.
We have a bistro and in ourbistro we are doing an event
called Forgotten Spirits andwhat it is forgotten cocktails
over the course of history.
So we do a little research onthese cocktails and then we make
them and do a present, apresentation on these cocktails,
(03:26):
and then give out some samplesof food, and it's just a a fun
way to bring people in tosomething maybe they hadn't
thought of oh, that sounds likea lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Huh, can you tell us a little bit about your facility
?
And you know what sets it apartfrom others in the area, do you
think?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Sure, you know, really I think it's a way of
thinking of how I mentioned,when I walked through the door,
a culture, but really it startswith ownership and our community
has been owned by the samelocal family for 35 years, which
really creates a lot ofstability.
And the thought process andsomething we think of every day
(04:13):
when we start thinking of how weoperate is under this Prime Fit
Wellness Program.
And when you think of Prime Fit, a lot of people think health,
right, like the activity, thephysical portion.
But there's so much more tohealth and well-being.
So we talk about it being aphysical, we talk about it being
(04:33):
mental, emotional, social andcommunal and then having a good
balance of different eventsthroughout our community that
can really fulfill all thoseareas of need and people's
health, and I think that'sunique.
I think when you start lookinginto communities, it's just
something unique that we bring athought process of who we are.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And what type of amenities and services are you
offering to the residents there,and how do they enhance the
quality of their lives?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, really, when you break it down, a lot of
people move in because they'relonely.
They have loneliness at home.
Bridging that gap to helpingthem get a little bit more
involved in specific things thatwill help them feel more at
home and it's going to bedifferent for everybody Do you
have apartments or what type ofliving setup is it for people?
(05:36):
Yeah, great question.
So we actually have 182apartments in our community.
Oh, wow, we are actuallyindependent living and have
assisted living.
Here in our community we havewhat's called a floating license
.
So what that means is in themajority of our apartments there
is the ability to live in thatapartment independently, with no
(05:57):
assisted living care, but youcan age in place a little bit.
So if you ever do need any helpor extra care, that license is
there and we can provide thatextra service when needed and
that can come and go.
Somebody that moves in frommaybe a rehab community might
(06:18):
need a little bit higher levelof care, but once they have
recovered, their baseline mightbe completely independent.
So it gives people thatflexibility and option.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
So what kinds of things talked about the food.
The food is so importantbecause you got it three times a
day and if it's awful, it canbe a difficult experience for
somebody living there.
So tell us about how you servethe food and what options the
(06:52):
residents have.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
What's nice here?
And I actually eat gluten-free.
I do not have a celiac, but Ijust feel like I feel better
eating gluten-free and a lot ofpeople that come in and tour are
, for instance, same type ofliving.
So variety.
We have two different places toeat throughout the community.
So we have a bistro that'sgoing to serve more like soup,
(07:17):
salad, sandwiches kind of thing,milkshakes, special coffees,
things like that.
And then we have a fullrestaurant as well and that will
serve breakfast, lunch anddinner.
We actually have a full menu ontop of the menu which is
seasonal.
For dinner there's always asteak option, a fish option and
(07:38):
lots to choose from.
And then we'll have twospecials of the day to choose
from.
And then we'll have twospecials of the day to choose
from and special desserts or asoup vegetable of the day, a
soup of the day, a salad of theday.
But you're right, cooking for182 people can be a challenge.
(08:00):
We one thing we have a boxwhere people can voice their
concerns.
It's important to you.
Can't get better if you don'tknow.
And Cal, our head chef, isamazing here.
He takes time out.
I see him all the time takingtime out of his day to sit with
residents to learn, and, you'reright, food's very social.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
We have a lot of activities around, so it's very
important so it's very importantand you can handle dietary
needs gluten-free, low sodiumvegetarian things like that
you're able to handle thosetypes of things.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
We actually have a vegetarian menu as well, which
is great.
Gluten-free is actually a topicthat's a little more
challenging.
To be true.
Gluten-free, a community has tohave really a separate kitchen
so we can handle a gluten-free.
A community has to have reallya separate kitchen so we can
handle the gluten-free bread andoptions for them.
But to completely remove thepossibility of
(08:56):
cross-contamination it's verychallenging and I don't know
many communities that cancompletely offer that.
I can completely offer that.
But our computer system isgreat because we can put in
dietary restrictions and thenit'll actually won't let us put
in anybody's order withoutalerting us, letting us know
that there is an ingredient.
We have one resident hereallergic to garlic.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
That's a very challenging one, but she's lived
here a long time and we've beenable to manage this.
So what is the average age ofpeople?
Speaker 3 (09:34):
at Fairwinds, Brighton Court.
So I think that's changed alittle bit.
With COVID it was early 80s.
Obviously you can move in atthe age of 62 in our community,
but the average age is in the80s right now and I think that
went up a couple of years withpeople really just wanting to
stay in their home during thoseCOVID years as long as they
could.
(09:54):
And then on the flip side wesaw maybe a little bit more
loneliness from that as well.
Isolation, and there's twosides of that health coin isn't
there.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
How about pets?
Do you allow people to bringtheir pets?
Speaker 3 (10:12):
We do.
We have a pet policy.
There are some limitations.
Can't bring a poisonous snake.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
You can bring any snake.
Oh no, you can bring any snake?
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Oh no, but two cats, small dogs.
Something that people canhandle is important, always on a
leash.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
So we do have some a little bit of not rules to just
have rules, but just to reallykeep everybody safe.
Do you have an outdoor?
Speaker 3 (10:48):
area for people that have dogs.
I know we're in Linwood and alot of people hear our address
on 196th and a lot of times whenI'm talking to them on the
phone they might have written usoff just thinking of our
location.
But people drive by us everyday and don't know we're here.
We're pushed off the road alittle bit.
It's very green.
We are right next to Gold'sPark here in Linwood, almost in
(11:13):
Edmonds.
Yeah, a lot of people know usfrom being next door to the ice
rink but it is very quiet, whichsurprises people.
We have a beautiful horseshoecourtyard with a rose garden and
a couple gazebos in there forplaces for people to read and we
do activities out there.
It's very quiet, it's verygreen.
It surprises people when theycome and visit us.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
How about can people bring their cars?
Is there parking available?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Complimentary with every apartment you get a
parking space.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
And are the apartments like studio, one
bedroom?
Are there choices or we?
Speaker 3 (11:52):
do we have choices between studios, one bedrooms
and two bedrooms?
We do have.
We're actually celebrating our35th anniversary as a community.
Later on this year we're goingto here's a plug, I'm going to
everybody's invited as acommunity.
Later on this year we're gonnathere's a plug, I'm gonna
everybody's invited, we're gonna.
We're gonna really throw a bigparty and live music and but 35
years within the community andyeah, so I forgot your question.
(12:15):
Actually, what?
Speaker 2 (12:16):
was the original question, that the parking was
the thing in this oh yeah, yes,part.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Everybody gets a parking space.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
And when is your event that you have coming up,
the 35-year anniversary?
Speaker 3 (12:29):
So that is September 26th.
Let me make sure I say thatcorrectly.
It is September 26th from 1.30to 4.30.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Can we post that on our?
Speaker 3 (12:41):
site, would you?
That'd be great.
Thank you, we did create on ourFacebook page.
We did create an event already.
It's up and able to view andfor outside guests.
Obviously it'll be free.
We're going to have cocktailsand food and music and a big
champagne toast, so it's goingto be a fun event.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Can you talk a little about the transition?
We've worked with severalpeople that are moving from a
longtime family home anddownsizing into, in fact, your
grandmother, my mother.
We've done this a couple oftimes and this is a tough one.
So tell us the steps that areinvolved in transitioning a new
(13:26):
resident into your facility andhow do you help them and their
families through this process.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
I think this is the hardest part of my job.
When somebody has lived intheir home for 20, 30, 50 years,
there's levels to that question, because you got memories in
that you have belongings, and togo through those belongings and
decide what am I going to takewith me.
(13:55):
And a lot of times people gethung up the most on the photos,
the pictures, and they havefamily heirlooms and maybe they
have nowhere for them to reallygo, and so this is a challenge.
Obviously, we have outsideresources people that we have
relationships with that can helpa little bit more in depth.
(14:19):
We have good suggestions forpeople, but we also have those
resources to help people.
Have somebody come in the home,walk them through some ideas
maybe that they hadn't thoughtof before, and it's going to be
different for everybody and thepeople that we have a
relationship with.
They're very good at what theydo.
They're on our call listbecause they're good at what
(14:39):
they do.
But yeah, that's probably thetoughest part of the job.
The next step would be oh sorry.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
No, go ahead, Go with the next step.
No, I'll ask.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
The next step is really yeah, somebody may be
giving up certain things intheir home, but what are they
gaining moving forward?
And that's important we focusmore on that.
Is it the socialism?
That Is it the socialism?
(15:10):
Is that going to be somethingthat is going to really help
that individual progress?
It's going to be different, foreverybody?
Speaker 1 (15:13):
like I mentioned, do you have a welcome committee or
a process that you go throughthat helps Although, you're
right, some people are going towant to come in and they're not
going to really want tosocialize at all and others are
really looking for that.
But what are some of the thingsyou do to help them get
integrated into the community?
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Yeah, this is very important.
We talk about this every day.
So we actually have a full-timeemployee.
Her name is Priscilla.
She is a moving coordinator, soher job is to make sure, when
people commit to moving toBrighton Court, that they are
are going to not have anythingsurprise them, and that's great,
(15:56):
including helping with findingmovers.
We have a relationship withmoving companies, because the
last thing you want to do iscall your family and have them
move a bunch of heavy furniture.
You got enough going on.
Once they get here, though,priscilla and really all the
managers will stop and introducethemselves.
Obviously, we have welcomeinformation, so a lot of times
(16:21):
people are read out.
They don't want to read anymore, but we do have that
information there for people.
But we want to touch base withthem often and to really just
say, hi, check in, what can wedo to help, how are things going
?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Open-ended questions, and then let them tell us
what's going on, and then themore they talk, the more we know
how to help one of the toughestthings that we're seeing with
people is selling the housebecause they need those funds to
(16:56):
make the move and getting outof the way to sell the house
because they need those funds tomake the move and getting out
of the way to sell the house.
It's like a catch-22.
Do you have any suggestionsalong those lines?
Do people?
Speaker 3 (17:09):
I see all types of transitions.
I do see easier transitionswith people making the move
before selling or sometimes evenlisting them.
They can, if they have themeans available, they move in.
(17:31):
They can move the furniture andreally those they know they
need items TV, bed, bigfurniture get comfortable in the
home and then they can comeback and grab those other things
that they think they reallywant.
Typically those are the easiestprocessed transitions for
people.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
I've noticed yeah, I agree.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I was going to ask you the same what do you guys
see?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
If people can do that , but sometimes the money is not
there to make approximately.
Can you give an idea of what itwould cost to get in to make
the initial investment in livingin Brighton Court Is there?
Are there Court?
Are there deposits?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
We do take deposits.
We actually have a waiting listof about 40 people right now,
Although we have availability aswell.
I know that sounds strange, butpeople know they're going to
move here.
They've made some kind offinancial commitment which is,
honestly, it's only $350, 100%refundable deposit, but that
(18:45):
gets them on a waiting list andwe actually have some benefits
on that waiting list.
Not only do they come todepositors' dinners and they can
join our gym and use some ofour amenities that we have, but
get some in line for maybe aspecific type of apartment.
They want a two bedroom with apatio facing the courtyard, so
(19:08):
then we can get them in line forthat ideal apartment.
Or they have a specifictimeline that just hasn't come
up.
They have a specific timelinethat just hasn't come up.
They know they want to movehere but they haven't downsized
enough yet.
And then we take depositsdirectly on specific apartments.
That gives people a first rightof refusal on that apartment if
somebody else comes in behind.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Wow, very cool.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Is there a buy-in Casey?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
There's not a buy-in.
We are a month-to-month rent.
So if anybody moved in and ifthey just decided it wasn't for
them, you know, we would hopethey would give us a good chance
.
I mean, it's a 30-day notice.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
That's nice.
That's very nice.
You mentioned some of theamenities.
You have a gym, I hear.
What other sorts of things haveyou got there?
Speaker 3 (20:03):
I think that our activity list is I run a drum
class.
There's all sorts of activitiesthat we do here food-related
things, inside and outside thecommunity.
We do hiking into differentparks.
We're always going to theMariners game next week, which
is going to be fun, so there's alot of activities such as that
(20:24):
Inside the apartment.
Obviously, housekeeping weprovide once a week.
They come in and they do yourlinens and wash your sheets and
your bed, and transportation isa big one.
We actually have two.
Your bed and transportation isa big one.
We actually have two.
We have a full bus that haswheelchair accessibility and
then a town car as well, oh wow,for those people that just
(20:45):
decide they don't want to driveor they need a little help there
, we actually have an eight mileair radius around our community
.
We'll take them to anappointment with the grocery
store and then pick them up.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Now do those sorts of services.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
They probably run over and above the monthly rent,
or do you no those?
Speaker 1 (21:06):
are all complimentary .
So if they wanted to take ahike with the group and there's
no entry fee into the areayou're hiking, there's no extra
cost.
But if they went to theMariners game, there would be
some extra cost.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
You got me.
Yes, there's a little extracost there.
Yeah, and we went to the casino.
We've gone to see MichelleWinery and there's a little
extra cost in some eventsoutside.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Okay, yeah.
All right, some events outside?
Okay, yeah, all right.
So how about customizing carewhen this person, this new
resident, arrives?
How do you set up thatcustomization, that so this
person is getting their needsmet.
That might be very differentfor somebody else who arrived
(21:54):
the day before.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
I think this is done ahead of a move-in Very
important.
We don't want there to be anysurprises.
We have a full-time RN and herjob is to.
Sometimes she'll even go topeople's homes and have an
assessment.
So we really with an assessmentit's really a sit-down
(22:17):
conversation to come up with aplan to help that future
resident really be successfulliving here.
What kind of care, what kind ofcosts are associated with that
at a time?
Now I think it's reallyimportant too, because things
change.
When people were maybe they'dlike to change something on
(22:38):
their care plan after they movein that they didn't think about.
We're always adjusting that.
Nothing's set in stone.
Somebody moves in.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
What about?
Speaker 2 (22:49):
memory care.
How is do you deal with memorycare?
Speaker 3 (22:53):
We're not a memory care community.
We have relationships withother memory care communities
around us.
So if that ever, if memory doesbecome a next step, we have
resources for people and we canshow them a few local options to
(23:14):
help people.
But I think memory is touchybecause our rule is really are
people safe behind a closed doorby themselves?
Are they at wander risk?
Are they safe living here?
And that's the first question.
And forgetting small thingsdoesn't mean that anybody needs
memory care and a lot of timesyou will never need memory care.
(23:38):
We suggest, if this is a typeof community because you will
sense a little bit of adifference walking into
different communities on levelof care but if this feels more
like home, live here for as manyyears as you can and if that
care ever rises, we have options.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
How about Medicaid?
Are you a facility that cantake Medicare Medicaid
recipients?
Speaker 3 (24:08):
We're actually just a private pay community.
I know that's a challenge for alot of people.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Yeah, okay for a lot of people.
Yeah, okay, any advice forpeople who are thinking about
this transition.
They're in their home andthey're saying maybe it's time
to go.
What do you suggest?
Speaker 3 (24:30):
If they're thinking about it.
Really, it's important toreally take that time and think
about why I'm thinking about it.
Because if you haven't been outand visited communities,
getting out and visiting a fewdifferent communities and
getting a good sense of wherethat next step would be for you,
because if a crisis does happen, you now know at least where
(24:53):
you would like to go or not goIn some cases.
Just having a plan in place isreally important and that's why
I mentioned the wait list.
We do have people that have putdeposits down.
They're just not ready.
Don't not to drive any fear outthere, but just try not to wait
until something happens.
It's not an emergency andindependent living is a lot of
(25:16):
fun here and a lot of timespeople move in a little later
than they had thought and thenthey tell me all the time I wish
I would moved here 10 years ago.
So it's something that we don'tobviously tell people when they
walk through the door, but weencourage people to really just
explore what's out there andknow what the next steps are
going to look like and have aplan.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Do you encourage people to have their families
become involved in thistransition with them, or what do
you see?
Do you see families helping?
Yeah, okay 100%, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
As many family members who once come by.
We'll buy them lunch.
Let's get them involved in thecommunity let's um so what?
Speaker 2 (26:05):
give us some example of some of the community, other
community events besides the.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
The cocktail um oh sure, we just had our summer
fest so we had live music out inthe parking lot and a big car
show.
Oh fun, yeah, Big barbecue.
I know a lot of communitieshave similar events.
We have our Luau later thismonth casino night coming up.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Or do you have a casino?
Speaker 3 (26:34):
we have a casino brought here.
I mentioned the winery visit.
We actually had so many peoplesign up for that winery is we,
we couldn't get people there.
A few weeks after we did theexternal event, we brought the
winery to us and we had 80people sign up and for wine
tasting here in our bistro anddid a little food with it and it
(26:59):
was fun.
There's so many activities likethat.
We had a giant tea party.
Oh fun Not all of us, I didn'tdress up A lot of fancy hats and
tea and time to talk and mingle.
It was a good event.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Sounds like fun.
I want to come and play.
And now is this just, do youhave additional Fairwind
Brighton Courts?
Speaker 3 (27:29):
anywhere else or only in Linwood?
We do.
Yeah, the family has expandedthroughout Washington and Oregon
and a little beyond.
But yeah, what's nice actuallyis the family for Fair Orange,
brighton Court built this fromthe ground up 35 years ago and
it was their flagship community,so this is actually the first
community that they ever owned.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Mentioned us that if somebody was in an apartment and
then their needs changed saythey were independent living and
then now they need assistedliving are they going to have to
move to another section of thebuilding?
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Boy.
That's a yes and a no.
I know that's complicated.
We do have 182 apartments here.
We do have a section of thecommunity that was an addition
and about 42 apartments, butthose 42 apartments, but those
42 apartments never got forassisted.
So those 42 apartments areindependent.
(28:24):
Oh, those 42.
Yes, but if a level of care isever, if ever it comes to we, we
would transition to an assistedliving apartment.
The rest of the community,though, can have independent and
assisted living in everyapartment, as needed.
(28:45):
140 apartments can actually.
Just you can live independently, but if you ever need care,
floating license is there.
Giant library up on the secondfloor, salon, foot care service,
massage there's a lot ofamenities here that I haven't
touched.
We have a great residentcouncil here, voted on by
(29:06):
residents, and they actually runa store downstairs on our
garden floor.
They sell soaps and a lot ofthings that maybe that you'd
want to just run and pick upquickly at the grocery store or
actually in our store here atthe community and the resident
council rooms.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
I was impressed when I visited you there, casey.
People were smiling, staff wasfriendly and outgoing.
You had someone attending thegym.
Was that a full-time position?
Speaker 3 (29:44):
Yeah we have a full-time employee.
That employee her name's Carrie.
She's amazing.
She not only does personaltraining there, but she's been
in the Edmonds Linwood communityfor years and a lot of people
took yoga classes or anothertype of class with her outside
(30:05):
our community and they move hereand they're just so excited
that they already have aconnection.
Yeah, she's great.
She helps people getcomfortable with the equipment
in our gym and that she actuallydoes private one-on-one
physical personal training.
There is a little bit of extracost but it's way down.
(30:25):
It's $10 a session for a halfan hour of one-on-one help there
.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
I just thought having somebody in there all the time
to help people understand theequipment, get in and out of the
equipment was a pretty big deal.
Understand the equipment, getin and out of the equipment was
a pretty big deal most of theplaces I have visited.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
There's a room that very few people use because it's
not attended by any staffmembers we have alexa in there
so people can go in there andturn on the music that they want
.
My office is right next door soit's fun listening to what gets
turned on.
The other day somebody turnedbagpipe music on Really.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
Oh, my goodness.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
It's fun for a little while.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
What's the oldest resident that you have there
right now?
Speaker 3 (31:13):
Oh, we have three in the 100 Club.
Wow, and I don't know.
I shouldn't say any names, butyeah, we have three over 100.
I think one is 101.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Wow, getting close to 102.
Youngest, the youngest.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
Oh, probably 62.
Wow.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
So that's quite a variation in community.
That's a good thing.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
We've had residents live here for 20 plus years,
which is great.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Okay, casey, you're in the industry.
What are you seeing?
That's in the residential careindustry?
What kind of trends arehappening or what do you see
happening in the future offacilities like yours?
Speaker 3 (32:00):
I think there's going to be a little bit of a needs
crisis on us.
We're getting closer to theretirement age of baby boomers
and, the interesting thing weactually just talked about this
recently during COVID, a lot ofbuilding stopped of not just
(32:21):
retirement commutes buteverything, and yeah, and the
you know there's going to be acrisis.
We don't have enough, you know Iwe're not quite at 100 but
right now but we are going to befull and every community is
going to be full very soon.
So there's going to be a lot ofneed for in-home care, and it's
(32:42):
going to be an interesting time.
I'm excited, though, for thegenerational change of seeing
what communities offer withinthe community, because I think a
lot of activities are going tochange music and all sorts of
different things.
I'm excited, honestly.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Yeah, I was going to say, when us baby boomers start
coming, you'll be getting allthat good music.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
That's what I like, music-wise too.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Anything you want to add about the Fairwinds Brighton
Court in Linwood or aboutassisted living, independent
living, that you want to add,that we have missed in this.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
I just really appreciate this opportunity.
I can't say thank you enough.
We work very hard to be a partof the community and communal
activities where we give backand we think just the more
people learn about what wereally have to offer, I think
more people are going to beexcited to see it in person.
If it's something that you'reconsidering out there and you
(33:45):
stumbled upon this podcast, we'dlove to host you and just pick
up the phone and give us a call.
We'd love to buy you lunch ordinner.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Is it possible to spend a night or two as a guest?
Speaker 3 (34:00):
We actually we did have that pre-COVID.
We had a guest apartment, andwe don't currently.
We do, though, have what'scalled a respite stay, and a
respite stay is the apartmentthat we keep open for people
that need care, maybe from arehab community, or they're
being released from the hospital, but they don't feel
(34:22):
comfortable going home rightaway, so they can move in here,
get TV, bed, everything set upjust like a hotel, but also have
that care and that foodprovided to them on a daily
price-based system.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
That is great.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
That makes sense.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Do you just have one, or how many of those do you
have?
Speaker 3 (34:43):
We have two.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
Very good.
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Do you have excursions to the Edmonds
Community Center on thewaterfront?
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Yeah, we were just down there and we did a big
lunch giveaway.
We go down there nearly everyday, okay.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Yes, that's a fantastic facility oh isn't it,
it's amazing yeah I got so muchgoing on.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
It's a lot of fun thank you so much, casey.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
Kate judy, you have anything else to add?
Speaker 2 (35:10):
I think that you've really covered all of it very
well thank you so much, casey,for taking the time out of your
busy day.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
I really appreciate it, thank you.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
Well, your grandmother and my mother.
She needs too much care, but Ireally had wished we had started
there in the first place whenshe needed a place that had
assisted living, because it'ssuch a superior place than
anything I have visited and Ithink she would have been much
(35:39):
happier there.
So I think that's just atestament to the long-term
stability and the atmospherethat the staff has created for
this community.
I was very impressed.
Best of luck to you, casey.
Somebody wanted.
Hey, that sounds great.
Who do they call or where dothey go on the web?
Speaker 3 (36:01):
So they can visit our website, brightoncourtcom.
They can give us a call.
Can we give a phone number?
Sure, 425-775-4440.
And thank you again for sayingthat, dennis.
We work very hard every day totry to create that culture in
(36:22):
our community.
But and you never know howreally people sense that when
they walk in the door, so I cansense it walking in the door.
Speaker 1 (36:30):
Oh yeah, not every place is like that, believe me I
agree I'm biased, I know you're, I love you and I want the best
for that, but really, truly,there is a big difference in
quality and just atmosphere in acommunity and you really need
(36:51):
to find the right one for you ifyou're looking to go to
independent living or assistedliving, to go to independent
living or assisted living.
Thank again, that's it fortoday's show.
I hope this has been valuable.
Thank you, casey Miller, ourfellow in Brighton Court,
leadwood.
Thank you, Judy, so much forbeing here.
We'll see you next time.
Bye-bye, bye-bye.
Hello everyone.
This is Getting your Edge howto Right-Size your Home and Life
podcast.
I'm your host, dennis Day,along with our co-host Judy
Gratton.
Judy, say hello.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hello.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Summer.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
And we are here to help you right-size your life.
We like to say less house, morehome.
Discover downsizing with us,because our episode here today
is talking about downsizing intoa retirement community.
I have our guest today is CaseyMiller.
(00:35):
He is the sales manager of theFairwinds Brighton Court,
linwood Assisted LivingRetirement Community and he's
here to tell us about hiscommunity and about retirement
communities in general, andwe'll have some questions for
(00:59):
him.
So welcome, casey.
Why don't you start out bytelling us a little about
yourself and your role?
Full disclosure.
Casey is my nephew.
He's got good information forus.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Because he's your nephew, right.
Thanks for having me.
I appreciate it very much.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
A little bit about me .
I've actually been in this rolehere for one year just a little
over one year now and actuallythe last 20 years in a
completely different professionI was actually.
I found this job on one ofthose Google job search I don't
want to use their name, probably, but this was suggested to me
(01:42):
as a good fit.
So I applied and I knew themoment I walked through the door
that I wanted to work atFairwinds Brain.
So I've been here a little bita little over a year now and I
absolutely love it.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
A little bit about what I do.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
My job is to reach out to future residents, to
family members, and reallybridge that gap in helping
people take the next step intoretirement living and removing
those roadblocks and really it'sabout creating a culture in our
community as well.
My job is to really what Isense when I walk through the
(02:22):
door is try to find a way tocreate that same culture for
other people when they walkthrough the door that they want
to live here.
Also, I do fun activities.
I team up with our activitycoordinator here and we think of
creative new fun activities tobring people in and showcase
what we do have to offer.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Do you invite people to your activities from outside?
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Absolutely.
In fact, I create events justfor them, something that we
maybe that we haven't seenbefore.
Try to bring new people in withdifferent creative activities.
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Can you give us an example of something recent?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Sure we're actually doing.
We have a bistro and in ourbistro we are doing an event
called Forgotten Spirits andwhat it is forgotten cocktails
over the course of history.
So we do a little research onthese cocktails and then we make
them and do a present, apresentation on these cocktails,
(03:26):
and then give out some samplesof food, and it's just a a fun
way to bring people in tosomething maybe they hadn't
thought of oh, that sounds likea lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Huh, can you tell us a little bit about your facility
?
And you know what sets it apartfrom others in the area, do you
think?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Sure, you know, really I think it's a way of
thinking of how I mentioned,when I walked through the door,
a culture, but really it startswith ownership and our community
has been owned by the samelocal family for 35 years, which
really creates a lot ofstability.
And the thought process andsomething we think of every day
(04:13):
when we start thinking of how weoperate is under this Prime Fit
Wellness Program.
And when you think of Prime Fit, a lot of people think health,
right, like the activity, thephysical portion.
But there's so much more tohealth and well-being.
So we talk about it being aphysical, we talk about it being
(04:33):
mental, emotional, social andcommunal and then having a good
balance of different eventsthroughout our community that
can really fulfill all thoseareas of need and people's
health, and I think that'sunique.
I think when you start lookinginto communities, it's just
something unique that we bring athought process of who we are.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And what type of amenities and services are you
offering to the residents there,and how do they enhance the
quality of their lives?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, really, when you break it down, a lot of
people move in because they'relonely.
They have loneliness at home.
Bridging that gap to helpingthem get a little bit more
involved in specific things thatwill help them feel more at
home and it's going to bedifferent for everybody Do you
have apartments or what type ofliving setup is it for people?
(05:36):
Yeah, great question.
So we actually have 182apartments in our community.
Oh, wow, we are actuallyindependent living and have
assisted living.
Here in our community we havewhat's called a floating license
.
So what that means is in themajority of our apartments there
is the ability to live in thatapartment independently, with no
(05:57):
assisted living care, but youcan age in place a little bit.
So if you ever do need any helpor extra care, that license is
there and we can provide thatextra service when needed and
that can come and go.
Somebody that moves in frommaybe a rehab community might
(06:18):
need a little bit higher levelof care, but once they have
recovered, their baseline mightbe completely independent.
So it gives people thatflexibility and option.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
So what kinds of things talked about the food.
The food is so importantbecause you got it three times a
day and if it's awful, it canbe a difficult experience for
somebody living there.
So tell us about how you servethe food and what options the
(06:52):
residents have.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
What's nice here?
And I actually eat gluten-free.
I do not have a celiac, but Ijust feel like I feel better
eating gluten-free and a lot ofpeople that come in and tour are
, for instance, same type ofliving.
So variety.
We have two different places toeat throughout the community.
So we have a bistro that'sgoing to serve more like soup,
(07:17):
salad, sandwiches kind of thing,milkshakes, special coffees,
things like that.
And then we have a fullrestaurant as well and that will
serve breakfast, lunch anddinner.
We actually have a full menu ontop of the menu which is
seasonal.
For dinner there's always asteak option, a fish option and
(07:38):
lots to choose from.
And then we'll have twospecials of the day to choose
from.
And then we'll have twospecials of the day to choose
from and special desserts or asoup vegetable of the day, a
soup of the day, a salad of theday.
But you're right, cooking for182 people can be a challenge.
(08:00):
We one thing we have a boxwhere people can voice their
concerns.
It's important to you.
Can't get better if you don'tknow.
And Cal, our head chef, isamazing here.
He takes time out.
I see him all the time takingtime out of his day to sit with
residents to learn, and, you'reright, food's very social.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
We have a lot of activities around, so it's very
important so it's very importantand you can handle dietary
needs gluten-free, low sodiumvegetarian things like that
you're able to handle thosetypes of things.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
We actually have a vegetarian menu as well, which
is great.
Gluten-free is actually a topicthat's a little more
challenging.
To be true.
Gluten-free, a community has tohave really a separate kitchen
so we can handle a gluten-free.
A community has to have reallya separate kitchen so we can
handle the gluten-free bread andoptions for them.
But to completely remove thepossibility of
(08:56):
cross-contamination it's verychallenging and I don't know
many communities that cancompletely offer that.
I can completely offer that.
But our computer system isgreat because we can put in
dietary restrictions and thenit'll actually won't let us put
in anybody's order withoutalerting us, letting us know
that there is an ingredient.
We have one resident hereallergic to garlic.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
That's a very challenging one, but she's lived
here a long time and we've beenable to manage this.
So what is the average age ofpeople?
Speaker 3 (09:34):
at Fairwinds, Brighton Court.
So I think that's changed alittle bit.
With COVID it was early 80s.
Obviously you can move in atthe age of 62 in our community,
but the average age is in the80s right now and I think that
went up a couple of years withpeople really just wanting to
stay in their home during thoseCOVID years as long as they
could.
(09:54):
And then on the flip side wesaw maybe a little bit more
loneliness from that as well.
Isolation, and there's twosides of that health coin isn't
there.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
How about pets?
Do you allow people to bringtheir pets?
Speaker 3 (10:12):
We do.
We have a pet policy.
There are some limitations.
Can't bring a poisonous snake.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
You can bring any snake.
Oh no, you can bring any snake?
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Oh no, but two cats, small dogs.
Something that people canhandle is important, always on a
leash.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
So we do have some a little bit of not rules to just
have rules, but just to reallykeep everybody safe.
Do you have an outdoor?
Speaker 3 (10:48):
area for people that have dogs.
I know we're in Linwood and alot of people hear our address
on 196th and a lot of times whenI'm talking to them on the
phone they might have written usoff just thinking of our
location.
But people drive by us everyday and don't know we're here.
We're pushed off the road alittle bit.
It's very green.
We are right next to Gold'sPark here in Linwood, almost in
(11:13):
Edmonds.
Yeah, a lot of people know usfrom being next door to the ice
rink but it is very quiet, whichsurprises people.
We have a beautiful horseshoecourtyard with a rose garden and
a couple gazebos in there forplaces for people to read and we
do activities out there.
It's very quiet, it's verygreen.
It surprises people when theycome and visit us.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
How about can people bring their cars?
Is there parking available?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Complimentary with every apartment you get a
parking space.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
And are the apartments like studio, one
bedroom?
Are there choices or we?
Speaker 3 (11:52):
do we have choices between studios, one bedrooms
and two bedrooms?
We do have.
We're actually celebrating our35th anniversary as a community.
Later on this year we're goingto here's a plug, I'm going to
everybody's invited as acommunity.
Later on this year we're gonnathere's a plug, I'm gonna
everybody's invited, we're gonna.
We're gonna really throw a bigparty and live music and but 35
years within the community andyeah, so I forgot your question.
(12:15):
Actually, what?
Speaker 2 (12:16):
was the original question, that the parking was
the thing in this oh yeah, yes,part.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Everybody gets a parking space.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
And when is your event that you have coming up,
the 35-year anniversary?
Speaker 3 (12:29):
So that is September 26th.
Let me make sure I say thatcorrectly.
It is September 26th from 1.30to 4.30.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Can we post that on our?
Speaker 3 (12:41):
site, would you?
That'd be great.
Thank you, we did create on ourFacebook page.
We did create an event already.
It's up and able to view andfor outside guests.
Obviously it'll be free.
We're going to have cocktailsand food and music and a big
champagne toast, so it's goingto be a fun event.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Can you talk a little about the transition?
We've worked with severalpeople that are moving from a
longtime family home anddownsizing into, in fact, your
grandmother, my mother.
We've done this a couple oftimes and this is a tough one.
So tell us the steps that areinvolved in transitioning a new
(13:26):
resident into your facility andhow do you help them and their
families through this process.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
I think this is the hardest part of my job.
When somebody has lived intheir home for 20, 30, 50 years,
there's levels to that question, because you got memories in
that you have belongings, and togo through those belongings and
decide what am I going to takewith me.
(13:55):
And a lot of times people gethung up the most on the photos,
the pictures, and they havefamily heirlooms and maybe they
have nowhere for them to reallygo, and so this is a challenge.
Obviously, we have outsideresources people that we have
relationships with that can helpa little bit more in depth.
(14:19):
We have good suggestions forpeople, but we also have those
resources to help people.
Have somebody come in the home,walk them through some ideas
maybe that they hadn't thoughtof before, and it's going to be
different for everybody and thepeople that we have a
relationship with.
They're very good at what theydo.
They're on our call listbecause they're good at what
(14:39):
they do.
But yeah, that's probably thetoughest part of the job.
The next step would be oh sorry.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
No, go ahead, Go with the next step.
No, I'll ask.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
The next step is really yeah, somebody may be
giving up certain things intheir home, but what are they
gaining moving forward?
And that's important we focusmore on that.
Is it the socialism?
That Is it the socialism?
(15:10):
Is that going to be somethingthat is going to really help
that individual progress?
It's going to be different, foreverybody?
Speaker 1 (15:13):
like I mentioned, do you have a welcome committee or
a process that you go throughthat helps Although, you're
right, some people are going towant to come in and they're not
going to really want tosocialize at all and others are
really looking for that.
But what are some of the thingsyou do to help them get
integrated into the community?
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Yeah, this is very important.
We talk about this every day.
So we actually have a full-timeemployee.
Her name is Priscilla.
She is a moving coordinator, soher job is to make sure, when
people commit to moving toBrighton Court, that they are
are going to not have anythingsurprise them, and that's great,
(15:56):
including helping with findingmovers.
We have a relationship withmoving companies, because the
last thing you want to do iscall your family and have them
move a bunch of heavy furniture.
You got enough going on.
Once they get here, though,priscilla and really all the
managers will stop and introducethemselves.
Obviously, we have welcomeinformation, so a lot of times
(16:21):
people are read out.
They don't want to read anymore, but we do have that
information there for people.
But we want to touch base withthem often and to really just
say, hi, check in, what can wedo to help, how are things going
?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Open-ended questions, and then let them tell us
what's going on, and then themore they talk, the more we know
how to help one of the toughestthings that we're seeing with
people is selling the housebecause they need those funds to
(16:56):
make the move and getting outof the way to sell the house
because they need those funds tomake the move and getting out
of the way to sell the house.
It's like a catch-22.
Do you have any suggestionsalong those lines?
Do people?
Speaker 3 (17:09):
I see all types of transitions.
I do see easier transitionswith people making the move
before selling or sometimes evenlisting them.
They can, if they have themeans available, they move in.
(17:31):
They can move the furniture andreally those they know they
need items TV, bed, bigfurniture get comfortable in the
home and then they can comeback and grab those other things
that they think they reallywant.
Typically those are the easiestprocessed transitions for
people.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
I've noticed yeah, I agree.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I was going to ask you the same what do you guys
see?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
If people can do that , but sometimes the money is not
there to make approximately.
Can you give an idea of what itwould cost to get in to make
the initial investment in livingin Brighton Court Is there?
Are there Court?
Are there deposits?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
We do take deposits.
We actually have a waiting listof about 40 people right now,
Although we have availability aswell.
I know that sounds strange, butpeople know they're going to
move here.
They've made some kind offinancial commitment which is,
honestly, it's only $350, 100%refundable deposit, but that
(18:45):
gets them on a waiting list andwe actually have some benefits
on that waiting list.
Not only do they come todepositors' dinners and they can
join our gym and use some ofour amenities that we have, but
get some in line for maybe aspecific type of apartment.
They want a two bedroom with apatio facing the courtyard, so
(19:08):
then we can get them in line forthat ideal apartment.
Or they have a specifictimeline that just hasn't come
up.
They have a specific timelinethat just hasn't come up.
They know they want to movehere but they haven't downsized
enough yet.
And then we take depositsdirectly on specific apartments.
That gives people a first rightof refusal on that apartment if
somebody else comes in behind.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Wow, very cool.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Is there a buy-in Casey?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
There's not a buy-in.
We are a month-to-month rent.
So if anybody moved in and ifthey just decided it wasn't for
them, you know, we would hopethey would give us a good chance
.
I mean, it's a 30-day notice.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
That's nice.
That's very nice.
You mentioned some of theamenities.
You have a gym, I hear.
What other sorts of things haveyou got there?
Speaker 3 (20:03):
I think that our activity list is I run a drum
class.
There's all sorts of activitiesthat we do here food-related
things, inside and outside thecommunity.
We do hiking into differentparks.
We're always going to theMariners game next week, which
is going to be fun, so there's alot of activities such as that
(20:24):
Inside the apartment.
Obviously, housekeeping weprovide once a week.
They come in and they do yourlinens and wash your sheets and
your bed, and transportation isa big one.
We actually have two.
Your bed and transportation isa big one.
We actually have two.
We have a full bus that haswheelchair accessibility and
then a town car as well, oh wow,for those people that just
(20:45):
decide they don't want to driveor they need a little help there
, we actually have an eight mileair radius around our community
.
We'll take them to anappointment with the grocery
store and then pick them up.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Now do those sorts of services.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
They probably run over and above the monthly rent,
or do you no those?
Speaker 1 (21:06):
are all complimentary .
So if they wanted to take ahike with the group and there's
no entry fee into the areayou're hiking, there's no extra
cost.
But if they went to theMariners game, there would be
some extra cost.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
You got me.
Yes, there's a little extracost there.
Yeah, and we went to the casino.
We've gone to see MichelleWinery and there's a little
extra cost in some eventsoutside.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Okay, yeah.
All right, some events outside?
Okay, yeah, all right.
So how about customizing carewhen this person, this new
resident, arrives?
How do you set up thatcustomization, that so this
person is getting their needsmet.
That might be very differentfor somebody else who arrived
(21:54):
the day before.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
I think this is done ahead of a move-in Very
important.
We don't want there to be anysurprises.
We have a full-time RN and herjob is to.
Sometimes she'll even go topeople's homes and have an
assessment.
So we really with an assessmentit's really a sit-down
(22:17):
conversation to come up with aplan to help that future
resident really be successfulliving here.
What kind of care, what kind ofcosts are associated with that
at a time?
Now I think it's reallyimportant too, because things
change.
When people were maybe they'dlike to change something on
(22:38):
their care plan after they movein that they didn't think about.
We're always adjusting that.
Nothing's set in stone.
Somebody moves in.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
What about?
Speaker 2 (22:49):
memory care.
How is do you deal with memorycare?
Speaker 3 (22:53):
We're not a memory care community.
We have relationships withother memory care communities
around us.
So if that ever, if memory doesbecome a next step, we have
resources for people and we canshow them a few local options to
(23:14):
help people.
But I think memory is touchybecause our rule is really are
people safe behind a closed doorby themselves?
Are they at wander risk?
Are they safe living here?
And that's the first question.
And forgetting small thingsdoesn't mean that anybody needs
memory care and a lot of timesyou will never need memory care.
(23:38):
We suggest, if this is a typeof community because you will
sense a little bit of adifference walking into
different communities on levelof care but if this feels more
like home, live here for as manyyears as you can and if that
care ever rises, we have options.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
How about Medicaid?
Are you a facility that cantake Medicare Medicaid
recipients?
Speaker 3 (24:08):
We're actually just a private pay community.
I know that's a challenge for alot of people.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Yeah, okay for a lot of people.
Yeah, okay, any advice forpeople who are thinking about
this transition.
They're in their home andthey're saying maybe it's time
to go.
What do you suggest?
Speaker 3 (24:30):
If they're thinking about it.
Really, it's important toreally take that time and think
about why I'm thinking about it.
Because if you haven't been outand visited communities,
getting out and visiting a fewdifferent communities and
getting a good sense of wherethat next step would be for you,
because if a crisis does happen, you now know at least where
(24:53):
you would like to go or not goIn some cases.
Just having a plan in place isreally important and that's why
I mentioned the wait list.
We do have people that have putdeposits down.
They're just not ready.
Don't not to drive any fear outthere, but just try not to wait
until something happens.
It's not an emergency andindependent living is a lot of
(25:16):
fun here and a lot of timespeople move in a little later
than they had thought and thenthey tell me all the time I wish
I would moved here 10 years ago.
So it's something that we don'tobviously tell people when they
walk through the door, but weencourage people to really just
explore what's out there andknow what the next steps are
going to look like and have aplan.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Do you encourage people to have their families
become involved in thistransition with them, or what do
you see?
Do you see families helping?
Yeah, okay 100%, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
As many family members who once come by.
We'll buy them lunch.
Let's get them involved in thecommunity let's um so what?
Speaker 2 (26:05):
give us some example of some of the community, other
community events besides the.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
The cocktail um oh sure, we just had our summer
fest so we had live music out inthe parking lot and a big car
show.
Oh fun, yeah, Big barbecue.
I know a lot of communitieshave similar events.
We have our Luau later thismonth casino night coming up.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Or do you have a casino?
Speaker 3 (26:34):
we have a casino brought here.
I mentioned the winery visit.
We actually had so many peoplesign up for that winery is we,
we couldn't get people there.
A few weeks after we did theexternal event, we brought the
winery to us and we had 80people sign up and for wine
tasting here in our bistro anddid a little food with it and it
(26:59):
was fun.
There's so many activities likethat.
We had a giant tea party.
Oh fun Not all of us, I didn'tdress up A lot of fancy hats and
tea and time to talk and mingle.
It was a good event.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Sounds like fun.
I want to come and play.
And now is this just, do youhave additional Fairwind
Brighton Courts?
Speaker 3 (27:29):
anywhere else or only in Linwood?
We do.
Yeah, the family has expandedthroughout Washington and Oregon
and a little beyond.
But yeah, what's nice actuallyis the family for Fair Orange,
brighton Court built this fromthe ground up 35 years ago and
it was their flagship community,so this is actually the first
community that they ever owned.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Mentioned us that if somebody was in an apartment and
then their needs changed saythey were independent living and
then now they need assistedliving are they going to have to
move to another section of thebuilding?
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Boy.
That's a yes and a no.
I know that's complicated.
We do have 182 apartments here.
We do have a section of thecommunity that was an addition
and about 42 apartments, butthose 42 apartments, but those
42 apartments never got forassisted.
So those 42 apartments areindependent.
(28:24):
Oh, those 42.
Yes, but if a level of care isever, if ever it comes to we, we
would transition to an assistedliving apartment.
The rest of the community,though, can have independent and
assisted living in everyapartment, as needed.
(28:45):
140 apartments can actually.
Just you can live independently, but if you ever need care,
floating license is there.
Giant library up on the secondfloor, salon, foot care service,
massage there's a lot ofamenities here that I haven't
touched.
We have a great residentcouncil here, voted on by
(29:06):
residents, and they actually runa store downstairs on our
garden floor.
They sell soaps and a lot ofthings that maybe that you'd
want to just run and pick upquickly at the grocery store or
actually in our store here atthe community and the resident
council rooms.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
I was impressed when I visited you there, casey.
People were smiling, staff wasfriendly and outgoing.
You had someone attending thegym.
Was that a full-time position?
Speaker 3 (29:44):
Yeah we have a full-time employee.
That employee her name's Carrie.
She's amazing.
She not only does personaltraining there, but she's been
in the Edmonds Linwood communityfor years and a lot of people
took yoga classes or anothertype of class with her outside
(30:05):
our community and they move hereand they're just so excited
that they already have aconnection.
Yeah, she's great.
She helps people getcomfortable with the equipment
in our gym and that she actuallydoes private one-on-one
physical personal training.
There is a little bit of extracost but it's way down.
(30:25):
It's $10 a session for a halfan hour of one-on-one help there
.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
I just thought having somebody in there all the time
to help people understand theequipment, get in and out of the
equipment was a pretty big deal.
Understand the equipment, getin and out of the equipment was
a pretty big deal most of theplaces I have visited.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
There's a room that very few people use because it's
not attended by any staffmembers we have alexa in there
so people can go in there andturn on the music that they want
.
My office is right next door soit's fun listening to what gets
turned on.
The other day somebody turnedbagpipe music on Really.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
Oh, my goodness.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
It's fun for a little while.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
What's the oldest resident that you have there
right now?
Speaker 3 (31:13):
Oh, we have three in the 100 Club.
Wow, and I don't know.
I shouldn't say any names, butyeah, we have three over 100.
I think one is 101.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Wow, getting close to 102.
Youngest, the youngest.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
Oh, probably 62.
Wow.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
So that's quite a variation in community.
That's a good thing.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
We've had residents live here for 20 plus years,
which is great.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Okay, casey, you're in the industry.
What are you seeing?
That's in the residential careindustry?
What kind of trends arehappening or what do you see
happening in the future offacilities like yours?
Speaker 3 (32:00):
I think there's going to be a little bit of a needs
crisis on us.
We're getting closer to theretirement age of baby boomers
and, the interesting thing weactually just talked about this
recently during COVID, a lot ofbuilding stopped of not just
(32:21):
retirement commutes buteverything, and yeah, and the
you know there's going to be acrisis.
We don't have enough, you know Iwe're not quite at 100 but
right now but we are going to befull and every community is
going to be full very soon.
So there's going to be a lot ofneed for in-home care, and it's
(32:42):
going to be an interesting time.
I'm excited, though, for thegenerational change of seeing
what communities offer withinthe community, because I think a
lot of activities are going tochange music and all sorts of
different things.
I'm excited, honestly.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Yeah, I was going to say, when us baby boomers start
coming, you'll be getting allthat good music.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
That's what I like, music-wise too.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Anything you want to add about the Fairwinds Brighton
Court in Linwood or aboutassisted living, independent
living, that you want to add,that we have missed in this.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
I just really appreciate this opportunity.
I can't say thank you enough.
We work very hard to be a partof the community and communal
activities where we give backand we think just the more
people learn about what wereally have to offer, I think
more people are going to beexcited to see it in person.
If it's something that you'reconsidering out there and you
(33:45):
stumbled upon this podcast, we'dlove to host you and just pick
up the phone and give us a call.
We'd love to buy you lunch ordinner.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
Is it possible to spend a night or two as a guest?
Speaker 3 (34:00):
We actually we did have that pre-COVID.
We had a guest apartment, andwe don't currently.
We do, though, have what'scalled a respite stay, and a
respite stay is the apartmentthat we keep open for people
that need care, maybe from arehab community, or they're
being released from the hospital, but they don't feel
(34:22):
comfortable going home rightaway, so they can move in here,
get TV, bed, everything set upjust like a hotel, but also have
that care and that foodprovided to them on a daily
price-based system.
Speaker 2 (34:38):
That is great.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
That makes sense.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Do you just have one, or how many of those do you
have?
Speaker 3 (34:43):
We have two.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
Very good.
Speaker 1 (34:48):
Do you have excursions to the Edmonds
Community Center on thewaterfront?
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Yeah, we were just down there and we did a big
lunch giveaway.
We go down there nearly everyday, okay.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Yes, that's a fantastic facility oh isn't it,
it's amazing yeah I got so muchgoing on.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
It's a lot of fun thank you so much, casey.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
Kate judy, you have anything else to add?
Speaker 2 (35:10):
I think that you've really covered all of it very
well thank you so much, casey,for taking the time out of your
busy day.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
I really appreciate it, thank you.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
Well, your grandmother and my mother.
She needs too much care, but Ireally had wished we had started
there in the first place whenshe needed a place that had
assisted living, because it'ssuch a superior place than
anything I have visited and Ithink she would have been much
(35:39):
happier there.
So I think that's just atestament to the long-term
stability and the atmospherethat the staff has created for
this community.
I was very impressed.
Best of luck to you, casey.
Somebody wanted.
Hey, that sounds great.
Who do they call or where dothey go on the web?
Speaker 3 (36:01):
So they can visit our website, brightoncourtcom.
They can give us a call.
Can we give a phone number?
Sure, 425-775-4440.
And thank you again for sayingthat, dennis.
We work very hard every day totry to create that culture in
(36:22):
our community.
But and you never know howreally people sense that when
they walk in the door, so I cansense it walking in the door.
Speaker 1 (36:30):
Oh yeah, not every place is like that, believe me I
agree I'm biased, I know you're, I love you and I want the best
for that, but really, truly,there is a big difference in
quality and just atmosphere in acommunity and you really need
(36:51):
to find the right one for you ifyou're looking to go to
independent living or assistedliving, to go to independent
living or assisted living.
Thank again, that's it fortoday's show.
I hope this has been valuable.
Thank you, casey Miller, ourfellow in Brighton Court,
leadwood.
Thank you, Judy, so much forbeing here.
We'll see you next time.
Bye-bye, bye-bye.
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