The spirit can be so resilient. At a recent Beauty Pageant (where the average age of the contestant was 86), I was reminded of a time past and the glitter of young girls, the spark of high heeled shoes, and the sassy competitiveness of my wife when I first met her. That elusive, difficult to define, but ever present spirit that defines the human condition does not wither when provided an environment that keeps it vibrant and, well youthful.There is a renewed focus on the spirit in forward looking Communities of Care, most commonly referred to as assisted living facilities, for our elders. Yes, the food still has to be good. The environment should be safe, clean, filled with light and objects of beauty. The Community should demonstrate a sense of caring, respect, love and compassion for those who built our schools, built our parks, raised us from childhood to parenthood; who won our wars and who ran our towns and cities. Through these and many other accomplishments they earned our respect and admiration and deserve our utmost care. But that is just the beginning.Fundamentally, none of that special and increased level of care would happen unless there was a deep and abiding understanding from the leadership to the line staff. Some have discovered, and many more are now also learning, that at the very heart of what providers do every day in these Communities of Care, there needs to be a consistent and fundamental appreciation of, and connectedness with, our shared humanity our shared spirit.I've told my children, when I'm old and bedridden, and I can no longer manage to coordinate the subtle muscles from mind to mouth, that would allow me to answer their every question, or join them in conversation, that they never assume I'm not fully there and listening to every word. The lotus of our humanity is our consciousness, and our consciousness is the lotus of our spirituality. That spirit remains young when surrounded by attention and respect.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Robin Avery, Gerontologist and CEO of the Retreat Communities. For further information he can be reached at 970-243-7224.

As we gracefully navigate through the various stages of life, certain aspects become more prominent, demanding our attention and care. One such crucial aspect is ensuring that our older adults receive the proper care and support they need to lead a fulfilling and healthy life. At The Retreat at Church Ranch, we understand the significance of providing comprehensive services to our residents, and one of the key pillars of our care is the focus on meal preparation.Understanding the Importance of Meal PreparationPromoting Health and Well-beingMeal preparation goes beyond the mere act of cooking; it encompasses the thoughtful planning and creation of nutritionally balanced meals tailored to the specific needs of older adults. Adequate nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining health and well-being, especially as we age. Our meal and nutrition program is designed to address the unique dietary requirements of our residents, ensuring they receive the essential nutrients vital for their overall health.Fostering IndependenceAt The Retreat at Church Ranch, we believe in promoting independence among our residents. Meal preparation is a fundamental aspect of daily living, and by offering assistance tailored to individual needs, we empower our residents to maintain their autonomy. Our dedicated staff provides support with tasks such as dining, dressing, and grooming, enabling residents to navigate daily life with confidence and dignity.Customized Dining ExperienceWe recognize that each individual has unique preferences and dietary restrictions. Our meal program caters to diverse tastes and dietary needs, offering a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From specialized diets to accommodating allergies, our chefs work diligently to provide a dining experience that is not only nutritious but also enjoyable for our residents.Additional Amenities for Enhanced ComfortBeyond meal preparation, The Retreat at Church Ranch offers a range of amenities to enhance the overall living experience for our residents. These include:Incontinence Supplies and ToiletriesUnderstanding the importance of personal care, we provide incontinence supplies and toiletries, ensuring that residents have access to the essentials for their comfort and well-being. Our commitment to resident satisfaction extends to facilitating the availability of these items with convenience.Beauty and Barber Shop ServicesIn our pursuit of comprehensive care, we offer on-site beauty and barber shop services. Residents can indulge in haircuts, perms, color treatments, and styling, all within the comfort of our community. Our goal is to provide a holistic living environment that caters to both the physical and emotional well-being of our residents.Onsite Outsourced CareTo further cater to the diverse needs of our residents, we collaborate with external healthcare professionals. This includes a mobile dentist who conducts appointments directly at our facility. By bringing essential healthcare services on-site, we prioritize the convenience and accessibility of healthcare for our residents.Pricing Structure and Resident-Centric ApproachAt The Retreat at Church Ranch, we are committed to transparency and ensuring our residents feel secure in their living arrangements. Our apartments, ranging from studios to two bedrooms, come with a base monthly rent. Unlike traditional add-on fees, our approach involves providing levels of care based on individual needs determined through a standardized assessment. This ensures that residents only pay for the care they require without the burden of unexpected charges.In conclusion, The Retreat at Church Ranch is more than just an assisted living community; we are dedicated to providing a holistic living experience for our residents. Our focus on meal preparation is a testament to our commitment to their health, well-being, and independence.To learn more about our services and how we prioritize the needs of our clients, please click here for detailed information. If you have any questions or would like to connect with us, feel free to call us at (303) 469-7178 or email us at info@theretreatatchurchranch.com. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss how The Retreat at Church Ranch can be the ideal home for you or your loved one.

Finding assisted living options in Denver can be simple, with many of them providing a really good service. That said, you have to make sure you are working with people that are listening carefully to your needs and requirements and not just trying to fill an empty room. You have to make sure that the assisted living community you will choose can deliver on their promises of excellent care for your family member.Weve observed that most people are open to finding and settling for the first and easiest option out there. However, they should make sure that the option makes sense and provides for all their personal needs and expectations. While the process should not be too tedious, you have to keep the requirements of the family members who are going to be joining the community. You must also ensure that they are comfortable with the move and open to the improvements in their life that are taking place.We saw many clients signing bad contracts where they committed to six months to a year, and they later wanted to make changes because something did not meet their requirements. Here are some of the pointers that we noticed, and we are documenting them, so others do not make the same mistakes.1. Focusing too much on aestheticsPeople sometimes will choose an assisted living community based on how fancy the common areas are. While the common areas are an important part of the process, you have to make sure that the care is personalized and meets a high standard. You should make sure that the overall quality of care, meals, activities, etc., is beyond par, or regrets will set in. The last thing an elderly person needs is regrets!2. Not taking time to tour multiple facilitiesFamilies should personally visit at least three assisted living communities and ask key questions about the care their elderly family member will receive. You should use the information gathered from the others when you are having a conversation which would give you a better understanding of the processes that they all follow. Most importantly, check in with your feelings. Youll know when you are talking to someone truly interested in meeting the needs of your family member and who is just doing a job.3. Failing to consider your family members complete needsFamilies searching for a place for their parent(s) to live need to have a clear expectation based on the exact physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their family member(s) and ask questions about how those needs will be met. Additionally, they should consider their health requirements to make sure that they are in competent hands. The best places will ask a lot of questions, listen carefully, and complete a thorough assessment. Then, they will share with you what they have heard and how they will deliver what is necessary for a satisfactory experience.4. Not understanding and assisting in this delicate transitionAfter a parent moves into an assisted living community, there is a period of adjustment where the family may need to provide additional emotional support while their parent adapts. Ideally, the place that they are moving to should not be too far away from their home. It should be convenient for their family to visit regularly, especially in the early going. The first couple of days or sometimes months can be challenging, and you want to make sure that they have the emotional support of all involved to satisfactorily make the transition.5. Forgetting to pay enough attention to healthcare servicesFamily members are often faced with a period of changing and often complex health conditions, often a declining health condition, where it is important to listen to the professionals. They should be open to listening to doctors or other medical staff and following any prescription or diet needs being prescribed. A good, assisted living community will have a resource pool they have worked with for a long time and that is trusted to deliver sound medical and clinical services.6. Failure to be a good partner With a parent in decline, families are often faced with stressful situations that can be filled with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. It is important to remain calm, recognizing and accepting all the medical, emotional, and spiritual support that is available. Having chosen the right place, you can actively participate in what is a sacred duty and be happy with your decision, in peace instead of pain and anxiety.If you are looking for an assisted living facility, connect with us at The Retreat at Church Ranch. Our staff provides continuous protective oversight while also assisting with medication administration, bathing, personal care, and dressing. We have been working with the elderly for a long time now and have understood the processes that it takes to get them to feel better about everything. If you want a better understanding of the services that we provide, please click here. If you are looking to get in touch with us or think we can assist in any way, please click here.

Moving to an assisted living facility can feel intimidating, overwhelming, and just plain hard. It can mean going through decades of household items, saying goodbye to a family home, and the end of a chapter. It is also the beginning of an awesome new journey with new opportunities and new adventures waiting each day. Assisted living is a type of housing designed for people who need various levels of medical and personal care. Living spaces can be individual rooms, apartments, or shared quarters. The facilities generally provide a home-like setting and are physically designed to promote the residents independence.As experts in the field, we at The Retreat at Church Ranch have written down information that will help you pick the right assisted living facility for your loved ones.Assisted living communities are regulated by the Department of Health and Environment and are surveyed for quality and compliance with industry regulations regularly. These surveys can be found online on the departments website. We are committed to full transparency and are happy to share our quality management reports and data.We ensure that we let you know about the full extent of our services and the quality we deliver. We are proud of our attention to maintaining and improving the health and happiness of our residents. Health and happiness lay at the heart of our mission and purpose. These two factors, health, and happiness are the most important factors when determining quality.Our clients, whom we refer to as residents of The Retreat at Church Ranch, have full access to the resident committees that have a voice in the services we provide, such as dining, activities, personal care, transportation, etc. We strongly encourage full participation in these committees. If a resident is unhappy, that concern should come to management immediately. We are proud of our responsiveness to all concerns. There is no question that shouldnt be asked about any service quality issues. Involvement by family is also very important to us. We invite and strongly encourage families to stay involved and visit their family members as often as possible to personally experience whether the quality of care is being delivered in the highest way possible.We are also proud of our activity offerings that address the full human potential in ways that address the physical, intellectual and spiritual needs of every individual in our care. When thinking of activities, resident involvement and enjoyment are very important. Residents can know they are receiving quality activities in their personal involvement. Moreover, residents are all invited to participate in the Resident Council, where they can express their feelings and make suggestions as to the type and schedule of activities.As the best retirement, assisted living, and care home in Westminster, we ensure that we exceed expectations and always put you first. Our staff provides continuous protective oversight as well as assists with medication administration, bathing, personal care, and dressing. Housekeeping and laundry are provided weekly. Three delicious meals are included, along with snacks throughout the day. Cable and internet are provided in all rooms. Transportation to scheduled activities is also included. In the absence of family, we can also provide extra support that includes pharmacy and physician coordination.To learn more about the services we offer at The Retreat at Church Ranch, please click here. To read what our clients are saying about us, please click here. If you have any questions about how we can help you, get in touch with us by clicking here.

In the realm of aging gracefully, the decision to transition to assisted living is often met with a mix of emotions and considerations. Families and individuals alike grapple with the challenges that come with finding a supportive environment that not only meets their care needs but also promotes overall well-being. One crucial aspect of this decision is the availability of a consistent nutritional program, ensuring that residents receive the essential nutrients required for a healthy and fulfilling life.Understanding the Essence of Assisted LivingAssisted living communities, such as The Retreat at Church Ranch, offer a range of services aimed at providing a supportive and enriching environment for their residents. Among the array of services provided are assistance with medication administration, bathing and dressing, personal care, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation services. However, one standout feature that significantly contributes to the well-being of residents is the focus on a comprehensive meal and nutrition program.Unlocking the Benefits of a Nutritional ProgramHolistic Approach to WellnessIn the landscape of assisted living, a holistic approach to wellness is paramount. The integration of a nutritional program goes beyond mere sustenance; it becomes a cornerstone of overall health. The Retreat at Church Ranch understands the importance of tailoring meal plans to meet individual dietary needs, ensuring that residents receive not only nourishing meals but also ones that cater to their specific health requirements.Personalized Nutrition for Individual NeedsAssisted living communities recognize that each resident has unique nutritional needs. In our Elder Care Home, located across Westminster, Arvada, Broomfield, Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Thornton, Denver, Louisville, and the surrounding areas, residents benefit from personalized nutrition plans. These plans are crafted based on assessments that consider dietary restrictions, preferences, and any health conditions, ensuring a bespoke approach to nutrition.Reducing the Stress of Daily Meal PlanningAs individuals age, the daily tasks associated with meal planning and preparation can become challenging. The Retreat at Church Ranch eases this burden by providing three meals a day, along with snacks and a fruit tray available at all times. This not only ensures that residents receive the necessary nutrition but also frees them from the stress of daily meal preparations, allowing for more time to engage in meaningful activities.Transparent Pricing with No Surprise ChargesOne common concern when considering assisted living is the fear of hidden costs. The Retreat at Church Ranch addresses this by offering transparent pricing with no surprise charges. The base monthly rent includes access to a variety of services, including the nutritional program. Any additional services required are determined through a standardized assessment, eliminating the worry of unexpected fees.Aging in Place with DignityWe are committed to allowing residents to age in place with dignity. The availability of various apartment sizes and floor plans, from studios to two-bedroom units, accommodates different preferences. By offering levels of care instead of add-on fees, residents can seamlessly transition to higher levels of care as needed, ensuring a continuum of support.In conclusion, The Retreat at Church Ranch stands as a beacon of holistic care, emphasizing the significance of a consistent nutritional program in the assisted living journey. Our commitment to personalized nutrition, transparent pricing, and allowing residents to age in place sets us apart in the landscape of senior living.To learn more about our services and how we prioritize nutrition in assisted living, please click here. If you have questions or would like to discuss your specific needs, feel free to call us at (303) 469-7178 or email us at info@theretreatatchurchranch.com. As we continue to champion the well-being of our residents, we invite you to explore the possibilities that await at The Retreat at Church Ranch, where assisted living is not just a service but a commitment to nurturing a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle.

With an ever-growing and diverse range of assisted living communities, determining the right assisted care home for your loved one can be time-consuming. But what should you look for?In an ideal situation, you should think about things like staff friendliness, services, and the overall environment when making your pick. You need to also be prepared with the cost, care plan, and general questions to ask assisted living tour guides and staff to help facilitate the process.Fortunately, the process doesnt have to be intimidating or overwhelming. Here are five things to help you narrow down a suitable elder care or assisted living facility for your loved one.1. StabilityNothing is worse in the delivery of high-quality elder care than staff turnover. Staff and residents form a special bond and relationship. That relationship deepens and improves over time, with each getting to know the other better and better. For the caregiver, a thorough knowledge of the residents personality and character, health situation, social and personal needs, daily routines, and habits helps them to meet that residents needs on a daily basis and will tip them off if something is awry and needs special attention. For the resident, there is great comfort in knowing their caregivers personality, abilities, and what they can do to help them in any given situation. Trust form is a powerful antidote to loneliness, isolation, worry, and stress. Health and happiness are formed with stable relationships of trust.2. MaturityExperience is the best teacher. As owners and operators of The Retreat at Church Ranch, we have been caring for the elderly in our community for a quarter-century. This time spent has given us all the tools and knowledge we need to deliver high-quality care on a consistent and reliable basis. Ours is a mature model with dedicated and competent staff.3. EthicsA well-known definition of ethics is Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We practice this code of conduct at all levels of the organization. It is with this code that our Circle of Trust and Respect is formed and strengthened. Management trusts and respects each other, as does the staff. Residents experiencing this conduct join the Circle of Trust and Respect, and their family members do too. When the Circle is complete, the larger community knows it can trust that the delivery of high-quality care is guaranteed.4. StewardshipThe task of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property, is of paramount importance in our assisted living business. The health of our organization is made of whole cloth, with no frayed edges or areas left unattended. Being good stewards of The Retreat at Church Ranch involves Continuous Improvement in all areas. Nutritious meals, wonderful activities, a clean and well-maintained environment, exterior grounds that are well maintained and enjoyable, and care for each other and ourselves all constitute good stewardship.5. PartnershipService, not selfishness, is a key to strong partnerships. No one does all the work, nor is anyone seeking more recognition than the others. The collaborative effort comes from the efforts of each individual partner contributing to the whole. Being in the mind of service in helping others keeps the partnership humble and strong. A partnership cannot be successful when the behavior, manipulation, and poor attitude of one person negatively affect everyone else. We see this as a component of emotional maturity and insist on it for everyone in the organization.If you are looking for a Westminster Retirement, Assisted Living, and Care Home, reach out to us at The Retreat at Church Ranch. Our staff provides continuous protective oversight, along with medication administration, bathing, personal care, and dressing. We provide delicious meals and assist people with a wide range of services to make their stay the most comfortable and memorable.We have residents in our elder care home from across Westminster, Arvada, Broomfield, Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Thornton, Denver, Louisville, and the surrounding areas.To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here. 

Rudyard Kiplings The Ballad of East and West famously stated, Oh, East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet. East does meet West in old age, and specifically in Mindfulness. Mindfulness means non-judgmentally paying attention in the present moment.In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, mindfulness meditation is described as bringing the mind home. This notion of bringing the mind home has profound implications for finding your voice, giving form and direction to ones generativity, and discovering personal cogency and meaning in ones life story. By bringing the mind home, the heart opens, and a reconnection to the spirit occurs.Evidence of contemplating life and old age, and considering life stage development, is not exclusive to western academics. Consider this Chinese poem by Po Chu-i:On Being Sixty:Between thirty and forty, one is distracted by the Five Lusts.Between seventy and eighty, one is prey to 100 diseases.But from fifty to sixty-one is free from all ills; calm and stillthe heart enjoys rest.I have put behind me Love and Greed; I have done with Profit and Fame; I am still short of illness and decay and far from decrepit age.Strength of limb I still possess to seek the rivers and hills; still my heart has spirit enough to listen to flutes and strings.At leisure I open new wine and taste several cups; drunken, I recall old poems and sing a whole volume.From the Upajjhatthana Sutta, a Buddhist text circa 500 BC:I am sure to become old; I cannot avoid aging.I am sure to become ill; I cannot avoid illness.I am sure to die; I cannot avoid death.I must be separated and parted from all that is dear and beloved to me.            I am the owner of my actions, heir of my actions, actions are the womb (from which I have sprung), actions are my relations, actions are my protection. Whatever actions I do, good or bad, of these I shall become their heir.Carl Jung used the term provisional Life to describe an attitude toward life that is imaginary and in denial of ones true situation. This approach is not a mature coping mechanism. Mindfulness restores ones true situation and grounds us.Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Robin Avery. Robin is the owner of The Retreat at Church Ranch and can be reached at 303-847-2233 and emailed at retreatceorobin@gmail.com.

As your loved ones age with time, it gets harder for them to manage with activities of daily living. Most of the time, you might feel guilty about being unavailable to help them with their daily chores. Moreover, owing to your professional duties, it may not be possible to provide the right amount of attention when they need it. Although deciding they may need support beyond what you can provide is a difficult decision. But if youre struggling to get your parents and grandparents the care they need, assisted living facilities are the best option.At The Retreat at Church Ranch, we recognize the challenges of aging and are dedicated to providing a fulfilling lifestyle to our elderly residents by promoting independence. To offer the best care, we must get to know them well and discover their individual needs.In this blog, we will give you a glimpse into what exactly we do and how we serve our elderly residents. Keep reading to know more.Our support and services1. Health careIn order to become a member of The Retreat at Church Ranch, a thorough and professional assessment is conducted to determine the health care needs of a potential resident. The primary purpose of this assessment is to make sure that our facility is an appropriate place to live.2. CommunityThe Retreat at Church Ranch has as its motto, A Lovely Place for Lovely People. We managed to craft a highly functional community that makes for a great place to live by conducting the assessment in a way that covers all the bases. We try to admit folks into our community that we can serve well and who is a good fit for the community.We are a single floor, somewhat more intimate community than many of our competitors, and while some folks fit in better in larger communities, some dont. We have years of making good judgment calls in our assessment process.3. Integration with the larger health care service providersWhile assisted living communities provide activities of daily living such as maintaining a safe environment, communication, breathing (O2 services), eating and hydration, toileting, personal cleansing and dressing (laundry), monitoring vitals, mobility, working and playing, expressing spirituality, sleeping and dying, it is also true that these are delivered in a way that sustains trust and respect between all involved. This often means that if there are additional professional services that a resident would benefit from, such as strength conditioning, physical rehabilitation, psychological services, pain management (as well as other clinical services), or hospice services, for example, the assisted living community should provide a trusted and competent source for these additional services. Our assisted living facility is a mature and stable community under experienced and competent leadership. We have a well-integrated team of professionals our residents can rely on. Also, we offer a comprehensive and holistic array of healthcare services to meet every need of an individual.4. EnvironmentMany assisted living communities like to sell their fancy chandeliers and expensive furnishings when the quality of care truly matters. We, on the other hand, understand that the environment needs to be clean, functional, and attractive at our assisted living facility without being unnecessarily pretentious and expensive. Our newly remodeled interior is tastefully done without being pretentious. It is modeled after the Rocky Mountains in its color scheme and artwork. Were very proud of it!5. TeamIn the many years that ownership and management have worked in assisted living, they have always strived to deliver a highly functional community. Since we are in the health care business, our approach is that we should display a healthy organization. We have a competent team of professionals who demonstrate good judgment, are professional and are always pleasant. We refer to this as the Circle of Trust and respect. Management and staff, and residents trust and respect each other. This makes a community free from rancor, disputes, dysfunction, and uncomfortableness. What a lovely place to live!6. HomeThis is your home, and we want you to make it as comfortable, supportive, and enjoyable as possible. We are here to assist you, but often your family knows what makes you happiest, and were just here to support that effort.7. HealthWhether its great nutritious food, a welcoming and enjoyable social or activities program, or accessible and beautiful outdoors to walk around in and enjoy, our facility has what youre looking for to maximize your health and happiness.8. Resident rightsYou are an individual that deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and to make choices that best fit your lifestyle and suit your needs. As long as you are safe and conducting yourself for the benefit of everyone involved, your rights shall not be infringed upon.For more details on our assisted living facility and care, reach out to The Retreat at Church Ranch. We are a Westminster retirement and assisted living community that is uniquely designed to offer senior residents more access to personal care. We have high standards when it comes to quality and continuously look for ways to improve our services towards our elderly seniors. We have residents in our assisted living community from across Westminster, Arvada, Broomfield, Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Thornton, Denver, Louisville, and the surrounding areas.To learn more about our services, please click here, or get in touch with us by clicking here.