Residents and staff at Whispering Pines in Warrenton Senior Living Community look forward to a brand new look and a brand new ride.
A lot has changed for Whispering Pines in Warrenton Senior Housing Community since Provision Living Senior Communities recently took over managing operations of the facility and even more updates will soon begin.
According to LaFonda Johnson, executive director at Whispering Pines in Warrenton, one of the biggest deficits that has been addressed since the changeover, is the need to have adequate transportation for residents. To fill that gap, a bus was recently purchased. In addition to the purchase of a bus, renovation of the 54 unit building will begin mid-April.
Transportation for residents
Residents of Whispering Pines are excited about the recent purchase of the bus, equipped for seniors with a range of mobility needs. A lift mechanism fitted on the bus affords seniors who use wheelchairs an easier time boarding and exiting the vehicle. Ease of mobility is important to seniors, especially those with mobility issues.
What having a sweet new ride means for residents at this local retirement home in Warrenton is this, they are able to enjoy local shopping trips more frequently and go to a variety of activities away from home they would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. In short, they get to live a more active life. It is important that seniors regularly participate in outside activities away from home, as they give seniors something to look forward to and encourage positive mental health.
“The bus is a big asset. Just to know if we want to take them somewhere, we can jump in the bus and take them, is huge,” said Johnson.
Now that transportation is no longer a problem, residents have enjoyed a number of outings, including a visit to the library for a St. Patrick’s Day event featuring Irish music and Irish coffee. They have gone on a few shopping trips to Wal-Mart and a plan for a trip to the movie theater is underway.
Before the recent purchase of the bus, Whispering Pines outsourced transportation for residents with the local public transportation system. The residents went shopping at Wal-Mart once per month.
“We have been without a bus for a while, so having the bus now is a big plus. The bus makes it easier to take the residents for activities outside of the building,” said Johnson. “Also we lost one of our gentleman Sunday and we were able to take some of the residents to the visitation. People can see the bus parked outside and see we are a family. It has made a huge difference,” she said.
Not only is the bus a welcomed means of transportation for the residents, offering them more opportunities for offsite activities, it also acts as a mobile billboard for the senior living community.
“We are looking forward to summertime so we can take them to do more things than we have ever done in the past. Not only is it good for them, it gets the bus out there for people in the community to see. They see we are active and out in the community doing fun things,” said Johnson.
Residents at Whispering Pines are really enjoying their new bus and feel confident asking for more shopping trips. Johnson is happy to accommodate.
“One of the residents came up to me and wanted to know if we can go to Wal-Mart twice per month. I said, ‘definitely.’ We have the bus and the driver so we have no problem going twice per month,” said Johnson.
Renovation Underway
The 13 year old building, which houses Whispering Pines Senior Living Community, will undergo renovation, soon, including new carpet and paint; new furniture in the foyer and dining room; and landscaping. An addition of automatic doors is also planned. The updated decor will breath new life into the community and and the addition of automatic doors will make it easer for the residents to enter and exit the building.
Renovation will begin approximately mid-April. Johnson hopes the work is completed by September.
“Renovations have not started yet, but everyone is getting anxious and ready for it, especially with the winter we have had. The parking lot will benefit, also,” said Johnson.
“We know it will be easier for the residents to get up off of the furniture. In the dining room, it will be easier too, because hopefully the chairs will slide across the carpet easier, so that helping residents scoot closer to the tables will be easier,” said Johnson.
Johnson believes all of the residents’ excitement will increase as construction begins. The ones who she feels will be most enthusiastic about the new facelift are the residents who have lived at Whispering Pines for many years. Several of them have lived at Whispering pines for three years and some have resided there for five years.
“As far as the residents, once they start seeing the improvement, they will be excited. It gives them something to look forward to. With people who have been here that period of time, they will definitely see a huge improvement,” said Johnson. “With all of that movement going on and activity going on, it will give them things to talk about and people to talk to. I understand a lot of the renovations will be done late in the evenings. But, we have a lot of people who come and gather in the evenings,” she added.
Additional improvements include a new big screen television to replace a big screen projection TV that is estimated to be 25 years old.
A sitting room complete with comfortable furniture and a fireplace will be added in the front area of the building.
“That will give them all a place to go sit and congregate. We have several of them who like to come up by the front desk and talk to me or whoever is up there in the evening time,” said Johnson.
Grand re-opening party planned
Johnson will host a grand re-opening party once construction and renovation is completed. The goal is for the renovation to be completed in time to have the grand re-opening celebration mid-September. The grand re-opening celebration will be open to the public and will feature musical entertainment, food and tours of the fresh, newly remodeled building. Johnson is working on booking a bluegrass and country music band who performs regularly in Branson, Missouri at Silver Dollar City Theme Park.
“They are a kid group that plays bluegrass and country music. They entertained here this past summer and they also perform at Silver Dollar City. A lady came by, one of their relatives, and said she wants to pay for them to come back here. Their great grandma is a resident,” said Johnson. “After I talk to the construction guy it will give me an idea of when I can make the call to them and try to get them booked for September,” she added.