Perfection in Assisted Living

Excellence is expected.  Every day.  All day.  Perhaps that is why The Willows has received a “Violation-Free” status with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the fourth year in a row.

“It’s really about our associates,” says Judy Petersen, director of The Willows, Friendship Village’s Assisted Living neighborhood.  “All of us have a passion for the elderly.  Their wisdom, honesty, sharing, resilience and perseverance are amazing.  They really know what is important in life.”  She added, “Everyone who works here knows what is expected of them.  In addition to the needs of each resident, our associates know and understand state regulations, Friendship Village’s mission and our quality expectations.”

Only 7% of Illinois assisted living communities have perfect state surveys.  Evaluations are made based on unscheduled health inspections, staffing ratios, quality measures and overall quality. Under state regulations, a “violation-free” status places Friendship Village among a select group of communities that are surveyed every two years by the Illinois Department of Public Health, rather than annually.

The Willows is housed in the upper two floors of the Birch Pavilion. It includes 100 assisted living apartments, including 25 in the secure “Reflections at The Willows’ neighborhood, which provides memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The Willows’ common areas are scheduled for a complete renovation during early 2010.

Striking a balance of a family atmosphere with exceptional care is rare.  Judy attributes specialized programs such as Spa Days, “Ravinia” nights, lots of music and ongoing spiritual counseling from a full-time chaplain with this unique balance. Each month, residents create a “Circle of Friends” where staff and residents connect personally.  This optional gathering usually attracts 20 to 30 people each month.

Rejoicing in each resident’s success contributes to the positive energy, too.  Willows resident Phyllis is creating a tidal wave of interest in water aerobics.  This great, great-grandmother who has always been wheelchair-bound, began synchronized swimming in college.  Now, several of her neighbors join her for swimming in Friendship Village’s 60-foot Aquatic Center.

“I tell my associates to take care of themselves so they can take care of the residents, but really we refuel by being around the residents,”  confides Petersen.  “It gives us energy, drives our ambition for excellence and ignites our passion for the work we do.”

Friendship Village has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to quality, becoming the first Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Illinois to earn accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Today, it is among the 12 percent of CCRCs nationally that have earned accreditation.

Friendship Village was the first Chicagoland CCRC to offer assisted living, launching the new option for residents in 1988. Currently, The Willows is among a handful of assisted living communities offering a lifecare contract to new residents, with lifetime access to healthcare services.