Mary couldn’t remember if she took her morning pill with breakfast. It wasn’t the first time she had forgotten it. The Arbors resident had just finished physical therapy downstairs at VHS Rehab and realized when she returned she had forgotten to lock her door.
Mary speaks with the concierge about the VHS assisted living community, The Huntington. It’s time for routine help. She wants to remain in Newport News, where she grew up, and knows she has priority status given Virginia Health Services’ continuum of care promise.
She makes arrangements, and her daughter drives up from South Carolina to help her move. They are able to stay in the Bed & Breakfast room and take advantage of meal service during the transition.
Mary befriends the nursing staff, who come in to help her out of bed and into fresh clothes for the day before she takes her medicine. They assist her to the dining room for breakfast, where she sits with a friend. She takes a short walk along the trail at Mariners’ Museum Park before lunch. After an afternoon nap, Mary and her friend get manicures before dinner.
The nursing team helps bathe her before bed, and administer her last round of pills for the day.
Mary looks forward to the next day’s lunch and movie matinee outing, arranged by the activity team. She calls her daughter and then watches TV from bed before turning in.
The sleep comes easier for them both, knowing Mary is safe and being well attended to at The Huntington.