Health and Wellness Thrive at Grand Living

The Many Hats of a Health and Wellness Director

Our Directors of Health and Wellness serve as the guardians of this commitment, ensuring that each resident receives unparalleled care tailored to their individual needs and preferences. They are compassionate advocates and the unwavering pillars of support in our residents’ journey towards optimal wellness.In the bustling rhythm of our daily operations, our Directors wear many hats – from community relations to risk management, from resident advocacy to staffing management. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, yet through it all, their dedication remains steadfast, their passion unwavering. From Darlene Jones, Director of Health and Wellness at Grand Living at Tuscan Lakes, “As a multifaceted Health and Wellness Director and Nurse, I embrace each dynamic day with compassion and adaptability, addressing new problems and opportunities for growth. At the forefront of my role is fostering inclusive community relations, ensuring every resident has the highest quality of care, and each staff member feels valued and heard.”

Enhancing Well-Being through Vibrant Community Engagement and Exceptional Culinary Experiences

But what truly sets Grand Living apart is not just the breadth of services we offer, but the depth of care with which we provide them. Our residents participate in a myriad of fitness activities, from cardio and core exercises to tai chi and rock steady boxing, ensuring that physical activity is not just a chore but a source of joy and camaraderie.Our culinary experiences are nothing short of exceptional, with each community’s executive chef catering to a multitude of dietary needs and preferences. Whether it’s a special holiday menu or a daily feast, every meal is crafted with love and attention to nourish both body and soul.

As the Director of Health and Wellness at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch, Stephanie Storek elaborates, “Our community offers a diverse range of programs to ensure residents remain active and healthy, with in-house nurse practitioners and visiting specialists providing prompt, comprehensive care. Additionally, we bring essential medical services directly to residents, ensuring comfort and efficiency. Our chef ensures fresh, delicious, and nutritious meals even with our LUMINATIONS® Memory Care residents, giving multiple options of food to choose from.”

Catering to Emotional and Psychological Needs

However, wellness at Grand Living goes beyond just the physical – it encompasses the emotional and psychological as well. From grief support groups to Alzheimer’s support, we provide a nurturing environment where residents and their families can find solace and understanding in times of need.And when it comes to essential services, we bring them directly to our residents, ensuring that specialized care is always within reach. Whether it’s podiatry, cardiology, or audiology, our residents can rest easy knowing that their health needs are taken care of with the utmost convenience and care. Director of Health and Wellness Julie May from Grand Living at Tamaya explains, “We provide unparalleled care tailored to our residents’ needs, including access to massage therapy and various medical specialists such as dermatologists, psychiatrists, mobile ER, and lab clinics. Additionally, our onsite Balanced Therapy and Wellness programs offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy services in collaboration with healthcare providers. We also assist residents with telehealth appointments while offering nursing support for vital signs and first aid.

Beyond The Tasks: The Heart of the Matter

Perhaps the true essence of wellness at Grand Living lies in the profound impact we have on the lives of our residents. Every day, our Directors and staff have the privilege of making a difference in senior care – of providing comfort, support, and compassion when it’s needed most. They find immense satisfaction in:

Grand Living at Citrus Hills’ Director of Fitness, Katrina Kolasa adds, “The best part of my job is working with residents. I feel rewarded knowing I stand by their side to help promote their independence and provide them with support where needed so they can continue to live and do what they like to do.”

A Special and Rewarding Journey

In the end, wellness at Grand Living isn’t just a destination – it’s a journey, a journey that we embrace together with our residents and their loved ones, every step of the way. Angela Peterson, Director of Health, and Wellness at Grand Living at Tower Place states, “ Focusing on the resident experience means that I need to have constant communication with family members to ensure everyone is on the same page.  I work hard to be the best version of myself for staff and residents. I take time out of my day to remind myself why I chose to be a Nurse and Director, and that is to continue to make a positive difference in our residents’ lives.

During sensitive discussions with families and their loved ones, our Health and Wellness team approaches each moment with empathy and understanding.  As Assistant Director of Health and Wellness at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch Jazmine Albritton says, “An important part of our responsibility is when a resident transitions to a higher level of care. It’s a privilege to have a hand in such a pivotal moment in their lives. It’s equally rewarding to see them thrive and in the best of circumstances graduate into a lower level of care or back to Independent Living.”