With plenty of friendships, activities, and delicious, nutritious meals, senior residents at this fun and affordable facility are living their best lives

By Patricia Nugent

What makes a home a home?

Sure, the furnishings and décor matter; so do the cleanliness and coziness. But what really makes a home a home sweet home is the people.

When I asked Danielle Ridgeway, Director of Sales and Marketing for Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care; what separates this community from others, she responded immediately: “It’s the people!”

She says the staff is like family and treats everyone who lives here like family.

“To give you an example, we moved a new resident in on Saturday,” she says. “And the next day the daughter came to thank me for setting up a welcoming committee of other residents who reached out to her mom. She was surprised when I told her I had nothing to do with it. The people who live here are just that warm and inviting. It’s sort of like you’re instantly adopted into the family.”

She says the five principals of well-being that make up the core values at Brooklyn Pointe are to learn, to connect, to be active, to give, and to be spiritual.

A Place to Thrive
“There’s no reason you cannot thrive and live a beautiful, vibrant life while in senior care,” says Danielle. “We make genuine connections with our residents and together celebrate life’s little moments every day. Each resident has a support plan of enrichment and care services that’s unique to them.”

In addition to trips and excursions, as well as a jam-packed activity schedule and exercise classes, Danielle says they are always on the lookout to customize the living experience.

“For instance, we have residents with green thumbs who love to garden,” she says. “So within the greenhouse here, we check in with their gardens” (currently lots of succulents that are gorgeous and cheerful).

Danielle says Brooklyn Pointe is a good fit for people looking to age in place.

“Our memory care neighborhood offers holistic care, and we work with physical therapists and occupational therapists with offices here, as well as with hospice organizations, too,” she adds.

Amenities Abound
Just as the level of care is thoughtful and inspired, so too are the 80 spacious and beautifully appointed suites, ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom. For safety, each room is equipped with an emergency call system and each resident wears an alert pendant. Danielle also says they do well-checks on residents.

Open and airy gathering spaces are dotted throughout the community. Garden views of the charming courtyard give glimpse to cozy seating.

The host of amenities includes:

• Beauty salon and barber shop
• Happy hours
• Library
• Greenhouse
• Chapel
• Art studio, theater, and wellness center
• Therapy gym
• Transportation to social activities, errands, and doctor appointments
• Housekeeping, linen services, laundry
• Special interest clubs, group classes and educational programs to keep seniors active and involved

But What About the Food?
Danielle says the first thing people ask about when they take a tour is how’s the food?

The short answer is: amazing.

“The day starts with continental breakfast and dishes by order,” she says. “For lunch and dinner, there are two specials each day, as well as a menu people can order from with classic favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, chef salad, and more.”

The fare is both delicious and healthy, with a nod to fresh ingredients. Everything is made here.

“Our chef has her finger on the pulse point of what our residents love to eat,” she says. “This is Cleveland, right? People crave dishes like perogies, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage. Everyone looks forward to mealtimes.”

“You Can Feel it in the Air”
Word of mouth is the second-best way to judge if a senior care community is a good fit for you. (The best way is to stop in for a tour and see for yourself.)

Here’s what a few family members and residents are saying.

Sandra W. says, “The people at Brooklyn Pointe really care about the people who live there. You can feel it in the air. The staff that moved my loved one’s furniture in said that they have grandparents that live in a different community and the employees there just don’t seem to care. As an example of how amazing the staff is, I was putting new risers under my loved one’s adjustable bed and I could not handle it alone. A member of the kitchen staff was on the floor picking up dishes, and he came in and helped me and two other staff members fix the bed. They are just genuinely nice people.”

And Crissy P. says, “I have had the pleasure of meeting the staff and firsthand see what great lengths these wonderful people go to, to keep their residents healthy, happy and safe. I would recommend Brooklyn Pointe and the staff to anyone looking for a beautiful place for their loved ones.”

What to Look for When Shopping for Senior Care
Choosing the best fit for senior living, whether for yourself or a loved one, can be a complicated and daunting stage in life.

I caught up with Danielle Ridgeway, director of marketing and communications for Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care, who has spent over 10 years in senior care. She offers some insight into what to look for when touring facilities.

“When I meet with prospective residents, the first thing I ask is what does mom or dad’s every day look like, what their routines are,” she says. “By the end of a tour, I will have given them a good idea of what their life would look like here.”

She recalls her own experience with her grandfather, who moved into senior care when he was 82.

“He had been living with my uncle at the time and said he didn’t like having his child tell him what to do all the time,” she says, laughing. “As soon as we moved him in, he loved it, never once asked to move back home. He had a sense of independence and really flourished socially.”

Here are a few of Danielle’s top tips for finding senior care:

• Do your online research before scheduling a tour. How are the ratings and reviews?
• After the research, you should have narrowed your search to three to five places. Sometimes a family will come here and tell me they’ve toured 30 or more facilities, which just makes the process overwhelming.
• If shopping for a parent, proximity to your home or work is critical. You wouldn’t want a place too far away that would make travel for visits cumbersome for you.
• Trust your senses, does a place smell bad or look dirty?
• Do the residents appear happy and well cared for?
• Find out if the staff works for the facility or is sent in from a temp agency.
• How’s the food? That’s an integral part of everyday life, enjoyment and optimal nutrition.
• Feel free to ask the person giving you a tour if they can give you a reference person to speak with who lives there.

When giving tours at Brooklyn Pointe, Danielle likes to invite people to stay for lunch.

“Once we share a meal and they meet other seniors here, their concept of what senior living will be like changes,” she says.

Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care is competitively priced for mid-income folks, and it offers different options to fit different budgets. It is located at 4800 Idlewood Drive, in Brooklyn. Small pets are allowed. The facility has recently been certified as 100% Deficiency-Free by the Ohio State Department of Health. Respite stays are available with a 30-day minimum. Call 216-273-1946 or visit BrooklynPointeSeniorLiving.com for more information.