Navigating Senior Living Health Care is Easy at StoneRidge
StoneRidge senior living community, set on 32 acres of lush Connecticut countryside, gives every resident access to a Wellness Navigator who can connect them with the right staff, services, and amenities to help reach their health and wellness goals.
Whether coordinating appointments with the Registered Dietician for a nutritional consultation, connecting with a member of the fitness team to find out which activities are right, or helping coordinate scheduling and paperwork for doctor appointments or hospital stays, the Wellness Navigator is the go-to source for continuing to live a healthy and independent lifestyle.
Helping to Navigate Resident Health Care
Jeanne Primo is the Wellness Navigator at StoneRidge.
“I visit all of our new residents in their apartments and see what I can do to help them settle in and make it a smooth transition from their previous home. Some are from different areas, so I help them find new physicians, dentists, cardiologists but also try to engage them in activities here,” Jeanne said.
“For those who may be isolating themselves a bit, I work with our activities director, Michael, to see if he can suggest things to help pull the resident out and get them involved.”
Jeanne provides answers to residents’ medical questions or guides them to someone who can.
“We have all sorts of resources here — orthopedic doctors, home-health aides, and our S.A.I.L. program that provides someone to check in on them or their loved one for small amounts of time during the day.” Jeanne also checks on residents who are in the hospital or who recently returned to the community after a hospital stay.
Helping educate residents is also an important part of both preventative and overall wellness, so Jeanne recently started a dementia support group, and provides residents educational information on important health topics via the internal newsletter, The Buzz.
Getting to Know Residents and Their Needs
Having worked as a nurse for many years, Jeanne says the best part of her role at StoneRidge is getting to know people and making an impact in their lives.
“Before my current role, I was the Director of Nursing in a long-term care facility. In my current role, I’ve had the time to interact and get to know people, which I enjoy. I glean a lot of information about their past. We have so many intelligent, bright people here who have so much to offer the world.”
When Care Plans Change
“Sometimes you have to tread lightly. There can be resistance to getting help in the home, but the goal for most residents is to remain in their independent apartment as long as possible. So we tell them what services we can provide to make their lives a little easier.”
StoneRidge’s S.A.I.L. program helps residents with one-off items like making their bed or taking a shower. But there often comes the time when they need more than that, says Jeanne.
“For example, a caregiver might need help from time to time taking care of an ill spouse. We can give that caregiver a much-needed break… maybe twice a week to get out of the apartment and go run an errand or do something for themselves.”
Uniquely StoneRidge
Jeanne says the unique part of being the StoneRidge Wellness Navigator is able to spend the time with and talk to each resident.
“We had an eclipse party, and that was a lot of fun. We try to encourage socialization, and we also get to know each individual as a person. Their lives are fascinating. We have a gentleman who is a pathologist who still goes to work a couple of days a week. These are people who are still very involved in society,” she said.
“I think sometimes the perception is that senior living means ‘old-age retirement place,’ but StoneRidge is a very dynamic community with very spirited people. They sail, golf, ride bikes, go to dinner shows, volunteer at Mystic Seaport.”
Jeanne also applauds the collaborative efforts of the StoneRidge team who work together to create a positive environment.
“The big thing is developing a relationship with residents and building the trust factor that you’re here for them.”
To find out more about how StoneRidge senior living community can help guide you or a loved one through a healthy and vibrant senior life, get in touch with us at 860-333-8995.
