As our loved ones age, it’s important to know what options we have to make sure they remain well taken care of while continuing to live a happy, fulfilling life. Many people have negative perceptions of assisted living facilities due to misinformation. That’s exactly why Avalon Springs Health Campus in Valparaiso is committed to sharing more about its programs and services so that community members can make educated decisions for their family members.
“Assisted living is not what a lot of people think that it is. Our residents are engaged in activities every day -- they go to the main dining room for their meals and get to talk with other residents and they still have a very fulfilling life when they come to us. That’s something that we want people to better understand,” said Avalon Springs Community Services Representative Heather Schlegelmilch.
Avalon Springs has been a part of the Valparaiso community since 2012. It’s managed by Trilogy Health Services, LLC which is based out of Louisville, Kentucky. The company has over 200 health campuses across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. It has started to grow in Wisconsin as well.
Avalon Springs’ mission is to be the best healthcare center in the Midwest, and it has definitely achieved that goal. The health campus has recently been awarded a five-star Medicare rating which is the highest rating a health campus can receive. There is only one other healthcare center in the Region that has earned this rating.
The biggest thing that makes Avalon Springs so unique is its full spectrum of care. For those who just need a bit of a helping hand each day, Avalon Springs’ assisted living neighborhood is a great option, while those who need a bit more intensive help can take advantage of Avalon Springs’ memory care services. For individuals who just need help for a short period of time after experiencing an injury or surgery, Avalon Springs offers short-term rehab focusing on occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Skilled nurses are also available 24 hours a day to provide the utmost quality care.
Avalon Springs is truly a one-stop shop for every senior’s needs.
“Our full continuum of care is key – that's what makes us special. We can have somebody come to us from the hospital for therapy, and once they complete therapy if they don't feel like going home is the best option for them we can transition them over to our assisted living or to our memory care, whichever service is the best fit for them. When people come in with us they are able to age in place whereas in other assisted living facilities that might not be an option,” said Schlegelmilch.
Avalon Springs is also known for its passionate staff, many of whom have been with Avalon Springs since it first opened its doors in Valparaiso.
“Everyone on our staff is so caring and compassionate. We strive to find that special person that will make our residents feel like family and that they're at home,” said Schlegelmilch.
At Avalon Springs, residents are kept happy and engaged through countless fun programs. One of the health campus’ most popular programs is its Live a Dream program. Through the program, the Avalon Springs team helps residents achieve a dream they’ve always had or do something they haven’t gotten to do in a long time.
The Avalon Springs team has done things as simple as taking a resident out for a spa day or helping a resident get on a plane for the first time in years while they’ve also done things as extravagant as taking a resident skydiving. In one heartwarming case, there was a resident who used to love singing gospel music. Avalon Springs took him to record his own CD of him singing some of his favorite gospel hymns so his family would have something to remember him by after he passed away.
Avalon also has all kinds of enrichment activities going on all day long throughout its campus. They do happy hours and monthly themed dinners. A resident favorite is Taste of the Town in which the residents get to choose a restaurant from town that they would like to have brought in for lunch. Avalon Springs also holds family nights several times throughout the year and invites the residents’ loved ones out for fun cookouts and dinners.
“Many of our residents liked to entertain family and friends when they lived back in their house, so they still like to be able to entertain family and friends. Offering these programs is a good way for them to still be able to engage in those relationships like they did when they were at home,” said Schlegelmilch.
On top of providing countless wonderful services, Avalon Springs is also committed to getting involved in the community and spreading awareness. It partners with the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce as well as the Duneland Chamber of Commerce. It holds events for the local senior centers to provide its members with information. Lastly, Avalon Springs is a sponsor of the Alzheimer Association’s Walk to End Alzheimers.
Ultimately, Avalon Springs can’t emphasize enough how much it cares about the families it serves. Between all of its different service options and levels of care, Avalon Springs is a great choice for people who are looking for a safe place for their loved ones to not just live, but to thrive.
“Helping our residents achieve their goals, whether that’s helping them get better so they can live at home independently or transitioning them to stay with us, is what we’re here for. It's all about helping that resident and their families,” said Schlegelmilch.
To learn more about Avalon Springs Health Campus’ wide array of services, unique programs, and one-of-a-kind team, visit trilogyhs.com/senior-living/in/valparaiso/avalon-springs/.