The Senior Scene

Six senior living communities in Tacoma have come together to help people find the best community that will fit their wants, needs,location and budget.

“Together, we want to make sure you are well informed about the options in the Tacoma area,” said Christine Hall, director of marketing for Franke Tobey Jones Sr. and one of the organizers of the living communities tour.
On Aug. 12, the public can join group tours to get a “snapshot” of as many of the six communities as they desire. They can start at any of the six communities and either drive their own car to each community or take courtesy vans. The participating communities and the van pick up/drop off locations are:
• Franke Tobey Jones—Bistro Café, 5340 N. Bristol St.

• Point Defiance Village – Main entrance, 6414 N. Park Way.

• Weatherly Inn—Main entrance, 6016 N. Highlands Parkway.

• Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community, Innovation Home. 1301 N. Highlands Parkway.

• Narrows Glen, main entrance, 8201 6th Ave.

• Merrill Gardens—Main entrance, 7290 Rosemount Circle.

The public can call 253-756-7562 by Aug. 7 to reserve a place on the tour van and to schedule which community they would like to begin their tour. Whether you take a van or drive your own car, you must RSVP for the event.

Village Green Retirement Campus in Federal Way is in month to of its sixth annual Senior Summer Camp.

The schedule includes visits July 13-17 to beaches at Dash Point State Park, Belfair State Park and Owens Beach at Point Defiance Park. Trips to Westport and Northwest Trek also are planned.

Village Green officials said the summer camp is is an opportunity to be part of “stimulating” activities while learning about the community’s apartments, homes and assisted-living facility. Information is available at 253-838-3700 and villagegreenretirement.com.

For residents of nursing homes or assisted living centers who are suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, not knowing who’s who can be confusing and frightening. With the Imprint Plus name badge kits, badges are readily available for residents (with their name and the name of their living center if they wander off) and staff members, as well as visitors. Badges can be reused for new visitors by simply changing the badge insert.
The Mighty Badge (in kits of 10 and up) and YouWho (in kits of two to four badges starting at $29.99) name badge kits from Imprint Plus include the supplies and software needed to create and personalize badges with names, colors and logos. The magnetic badges are durable and won’t fall off or ruin clothing, according to an Imprint Plus spokeswoman. More information is available at www.imprintplus.com or www.themightybadge.com

Life Care Center of South Hill, focusing on inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, has opened in Puyallup.
Located a mile from MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, two-story facility offers 24-hour skilled nursing care, an in-house rehabilitation team, and a 4,800 square-foot rehabilitation gym. Amenities include private rooms, rehabilitation and therapy services, on-site physicians, hospital transportation, restaurant-style dining, and individualized activities.
Life Care announced in April that the new facility had started accepting patients for orthopedic care, cardiac rehabilitation, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.
Additional information is available at 253-841-6600.
Life Care Centers of America, along with sister company Century Park, operates or manages more than 260 skilled-nursing, rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s and senior living facilities in 28 states. There are 19 locations in Washington. They include Garden Terrace at Federal Way, Life Care Center of Federal Way and Hallmark Manor in Federal Way, Harbor Place at Cottesmore and Cottesmore of Life Care in Gig Harbor, Life Care Center of Port Orchard and Life Care Center of Puyallup.
Life Care Centers of America is based in Cleveland, Tenn.