The Village of St. Edward provides a haven for joyful aging
By Patricia Nugent
Choosing the right-fit memory care community for a loved one can be an unsettling undertaking. Alzheimer’s and dementia can progress rapidly—it’s important to be proactive and find a safe place where your loved one will feel at home.
At The Village of St. Edward, with locations in Fairlawn, Wadsworth and Green, the focus in memory care is not on loss, but rather providing a haven for joyful aging, where a person can thrive.
We interviewed stakeholders from every point in the decision-making process: administrators, caretakers, family members and residents at each VSE to find out how these facilities rise above the rest.
Providing Individualized Care
As sales and admissions director for The Village of St. Edward at Green, Madison Radke interacts with families looking for senior care, giving tours and answering questions.
“We give tours of memory care to show how care is individualized to the person,” she says. “We find out the things they enjoyed throughout their lives and incorporate them into the activities. The goal is to get them out of their apartments and enjoying a meaningful life. We aren’t taking away their decisions—we are just simplifying them.”
Memory care residents enjoy the same musical entertainment, cooking demonstrations, courtyard visits and trips for ice cream that all the residents do.
“Our activities are designed to stimulate cognitive recall. We talk about their childhoods, etc.,” she adds. “They also enjoy the massage therapist and music therapist we bring in.”
Multisensory Experiences
Kymberlie Newsome is a resident assistant in The Village of St. Edward at Wadsworth. She oversees the daily activities in memory care, from helping people with feeding to dressing and bathing.
“Our goal is to present residents with multisensory experiences,” she explains. “They enjoy games with balls to coordinate their hands, feet and minds, as well as a ring toss game with music. It’s heartwarming to help them find joy in their life. This time of year, we start going out for strolls more around the pond in the courtyard, which they enjoy.”
Kathy Kocher’s 96-year-old mother Marcy Booth has been a memory care resident at the Fairlawn location for about a year.
“She’s been at VSE for 21 years, moving to independent living, then assisted living before memory care,” says Kathy. “We’ve always appreciated how the staff makes this place feel like a big family. They are exceptionally kind and caring. Mom stays busy with planned activities, such as bingo, and the aides always make sure she gets out to the gardens in the warmer months. Family visits are encouraged. We just had a lovely Easter Dinner. She’s thriving.”
Elvy McGuinness was one of the first residents to move in the Wadsworth Village in 2020, starting in assisted living and later transitioning into memory care.
Taking walks around the campus, sightseeing and going to church are three of her favorite activities.
“The food is also good, and I enjoy sitting with everyone and watching movies,” says Elvy, who turns 90 this year. “I feel very safe, well cared-for and blessed.”
She enjoys visits from her 11 children.
“I wish my husband was still here to see how wonderful the family is and that everyone is so nice here. I have made so many friends and am happy. They take good care of me.”
The Village of St. Edward is a non-profit with three locations: Wadsworth, 880 Main Street, 234-217-8735; Green, 3813 Fortuna Drive, 234-294-0010; and Fairlawn, 3125 Smith Road, 330-668-2828. In memory care, each location offers 28 beautifully appointed apartments. Through the Benevolence Program, residents will never be asked to leave if they run out of funds. There are no long-term contracts. Pets under 20 pounds are welcome. For more information, or to take a virtual visit, go to VSECommunities.org.