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The tell tale signs of Summer are upon us. Temperatures are rising, days are getting longer and those summer getaways are closer then ever. Whether you are heading to The Cape or spending your weekends in Maine, summer in New England can’t be beat. Learn more about the benefits of a Summer Retreat Stay at Northbridge!

Has something like this happened to you? It’s Friday afternoon, you’ve closed your laptop, packed the car, stocked up on food and drinks, and are hitting the road to sit in some (a lot) of traffic when you remember you have to pick up mom because you’re worried about her being alone all weekend. You know mom doesn’t love going to the beach anymore, because it’s tough for her to walk in the sand, so she’ll spend most of her time back at the house.

While sitting on the beach you have that thought of, ‘what is mom doing’ in the back of your mind, but you try to do your best to relax and enjoy your day on the beach, you did pay $30+ dollars for parking.

What if mom didn’t have to go with you for the weekend, just to spend time sitting alone back at the house? What if she could be enjoying a Summer Retreat stay at one of our communities?

It may be time to consider a Summer Retreat Stay at a Northbridge community near you!

I’m going to mention a few hypothetical situations, you let us know if any of them seem familiar or are on your list of Summer stressors:

1. Mom doesn’t have AC in her house/apartment so on those really hot days she comes to stay with you.
2. When it’s too hot outside Dad doesn’t like to leave his air conditioned home so he’ll stay at home by himself.
3. When the temperatures get too hot, Mom doesn’t like using the stove because it heats the house, so she eats microwavable meals.

If any of these sound familiar to you, you might be in need of a Summer Retreat Stay with us.

Summer in New England is something to look forward to all year round – but has the season lost some of it’s charm for a loved one in your life? We talk about winter being an isolating time but what we don’t always think about is that extreme heat in the summer can keep seniors inside and isolated as well.  Be sure to check out our blog on the difference between loneliness and isolation to learn more. We find so much purpose in feeling part of a larger community and understanding that we are able to participate in the betterment of that community. A summer retreat stay with us provides purposeful engagement opportunities that allow residents to feel part of a community. They don’t even have to leave the building to enjoy the connections within the community.

So why should you consider a Summer Retreat Stay? Easy, we pay for the air conditioning bill!

Need something more to convince you? Ok, here are a few other benefits of a Summer Retreat Stay at our community:

• 3 Eat Fresh, Eat Local meals every day prepared by our chefs.
• Engaging programs focused on our 4 Pillars of Engagement: To Move, To Feel, To Connect and To Learn. Click here to view a sample calendar from our community, Stroudwater Lodge.
• A fully furnished and decorated private apartment.
• A dedicated care team available 24/7.
• And so much more – we encourage you to speak to one of our advisors to learn about why a Summer Retreat Stay could benefit you and your family.

Here are FAQ’s about a Summer Retreat Stay answered by members of our team:

1. Why should I consider a Summer Retreat Stay for my loved one?

Summer days are long and hot. Residents enjoying a Summer Retreat Stay are able to participate in our programs and enjoy  the services and amenities our communities have to offer. From engaging programs like Barre Balance Class and Artist in Residence to social events like live music and happy hour – there are so many opportunities to meet new friends. Our Housekeeping team comes in to clean once a week and there is a maintenance team available for any needs that arise. The biggest benefit for you as a family member is there is no need to worry about the weather or any vacations you may have, our communities are air conditioned ensuring residents feel comfortable even during those dog days of summer. Our community teams will work with you to make this an easy experience that allows you to avoid the hassles of summer heat and vacation plans while also allowing your mom or dad to experience life at one of our communities.

2. My loved one has memory issues – are they eligible for a Summer Retreat Stay?

At Northbridge we have an amazing memory care program called Avita. We are able to offer Summer Retreat Stays in our Avita neighborhoods for those who would benefit from memory care. To get a better sense of where your Mom or Dad would thrive at our community, we will have a nurse come out and assess them to figure out if they would be a better fit for our Assisted Living or Avita Memory Care neighborhood.

3. Will my loved one have access to the same care services as residents in the community?

Yes, your loved one will have the same access to care as our residents. As with all of our residents, your loved one will receive an emergency call pendant for use should they have an urgent need for care. Our care associates are available 24/7.

4. How do I find out what type of care my loved one might need?

When our nurse comes to do an assessment they will also begin to develop a care plan.  This care plan will outline any assistance that they think the retreat stay resident will be need.

5. If care needs change during the retreat stay, what happens?

If there is any change to the care plan while your loved one is enjoying a retreat stay with us, our nursing team will asses the care needs and modify the care plan as changes occur.

6. Will I hear from the care team at the community during the retreat stay?

Yes, you will have regular communication with the care team at the community.

7. How often can I expect to hear from and visit the community?

You are welcome to visit your loved one anytime you would like while they are staying with us. We encourage families to visit for classes, events and meals in our dining room.

8. What should my loved one pack for a Retreat Stay?

We suggest packing clothes for a week and bringing any favorite pictures, blankets or pillows to make the apartment feel just like home!

9. How long is a retreat stay and can I extend it?

We offer retreat stays from 30 to 60 days. We find that after 60 days retreat stay residents are usually excited to transition into full time residents and a permanent part of our community.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a Summer Retreat Stay at our communities, we encourage you to reach out to the helpful advisors at our communities.

We’re here to answer any of your questions. Please contact us if we can provide further information or if you would like to schedule a personalized tour. Download our complimentary Family Decision Toolkit.