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For active seniors, as well as those requiring special care, The Weils in Chagrin Falls offers a full array of amenities such as concierge and spa services and chef-prepared meals—along with all the comforts of home.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 07/22/2009
Some assisted living facilities have that traditional “nursing home” atmosphere which only reinforces a senior’s desire to stay at home as long as possible. But The Weils, an active senior living community, is just like home—only better, says Ella Barney, administrator of the bright and spacious facility, nestled on 46 pristine acres off Chillicothe Road, in Chagrin Falls.

Now, the seven-year-old senior community, owned and operated by the not-for-profit Montefiore Housing Corporation, is expanding to add 21 rehab and skilled nursing beds, and eight beds dedicated to the care of assisted living residents with memory impairment.

The new Rehab Pavilion will be showcased at a free community-wide open house on Sunday, August 2, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

“With the new skilled nursing and memory care wing, our assisted living residents can continue to stay with us if they ever need rehab or if they need advanced care for memory loss,” Ella explains. “We’re now able to offer a full continuum of care.”

The comparison with home begins in The Weils’ large and well-appointed suites—some as large as 1,400 square feet—which feature one or two bedrooms. The suites are available in 12 different configurations and include full-service kitchens, spacious closets, one or two bathrooms with safety assist equipment, call systems for 24-hour assistance, a washer and dryer and other conveniences.

Residents have their choice of chef-prepared meals offered three times a day in the formal dining room and freshly baked desserts.

Room service is available as well. A typical dinner might be Italian wedding soup, grilled salmon, roasted chicken, cous cous, steamed broccoli and carrots, a baked potato and dessert.

Happy hour in the café and “meet the new resident” receptions are just a couple of the many ways for residents to socialize with their neighbors. A recent tour of the community found a group of residents enjoying an afternoon card game in the café.

The amenities offered at The Weils essentially create a luxury vacation—every day of the year. Services include complimentary transportation to just about anywhere they want to go, concierge service, a full service beauty and barber salon, Reiki treatments—even a playroom for visiting grandchildren.

“Once a month we have restaurant night, where we bring in dinner from a local establishment,” Ella adds.

Through the monthly Residents Association meeting, residents offer opinions and suggestions about how their community should be run.

“The Weils is very resident-centered and they are highly encouraged to tell us what they want to do,” Ella says.

“It is their home. They don’t hold back. But it makes us strive even more to make them happy. Many of our residents are retired professionals who have always expected the best and it’s our job to make sure those expectations are met.”

Before joining The Weils in January, Ella spent five years touring senior care centers across the country as a quality assurance analyst.

“My job exposed me to nursing facilities across the country,” she reveals. “When you become focused on quality monitoring, you are very particular about who you work for. I felt very positive about coming to The Weils. What stands out most is the very caring atmosphere, not only between the residents, but also between residents and staff. It’s a great place to be.”

Along with the numerous amenities at The Weils, residents are always busy with a full schedule of great activities.

“We have a very diverse schedule of daily activities and life enrichment programs,” Ella says. “Every day holds new surprises for our residents.”

Inside, movies are shown nightly in the spacious community room, and speakers come in regularly to lecture on topics of interest to residents.

“We have a very intellectual group of residents which promotes a stimulating environment for those who live in our community,” Ella says.

The Weils has a nurse available on-site 24-hours a day.

“This goes beyond the requirement for assisted living, however, it is something we take pride in because it heightens the level of care our residents receive,” Ella explains.We’re not required to do that, but we want our residents and their families to be assured that there is always care available. We are now recruiting physicians to see our residents on-site so they won’t have to leave the facility for an office visit.”

The Weils offers a range of wellness programs, like exercise classes, a walking club, a fitness room, a hydrotub, and a complete spa program that caters to the body, mind and spirit. The Weils prides itself in promoting healthy living and wellness through fitness, regular screenings, proper nutrition and wellness classes.

Ella reveals the average age of a Weils resident is 87 with a range from 62 to 104 years old.

The cost to live at The Weils depends on the level of service the resident requires. In addition to monthly rent, additional services, such as medication monitoring, can be added.

“There are no community entry fees which are a requirement at some assisted living facilities,” Ella notes. “It’s just like renting an apartment. If you want to move out, just give a 30-day notice.”

But who would want to leave?

With the new expansion, there may be no reason to.

From assisted living and rehabilitation therapy to dementia care—all on one campus—The Weils now offers a full continuum of care for short and long-term residents.

“Our skilled nursing facility will provide physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as nursing services,” Ella explains. “Respite care is available in the assisted living facility, and provides caregivers an opportunity to focus on other responsibilities and personal needs.” After a short-term post-hospital stay, many residents transition to living at The Weils.

The special open house will offer a first look at the newly constructed, state-of-the-art rehab pavilion and memory-care facility. It will feature free blood pressure checks, bone density scans and other screenings, along with hand, shoulder and neck massages, Tai Chi and Yoga demonstrations, Reiki treatments, reflexology, musical entertainment, refreshments, prizes and raffles.

The Weils Senior Living Community is located at 16695 Chillicothe Road, just north of E. Washington Street, in Chagrin Falls. You can find out more by calling 440-543-4221, or by visiting theweils.org.

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