If you've been keeping an eye on the construction project in our backyard, you've seen that the exterior--with the exception of gutters and balconies--is complete. Now that the majority of the exterior envelope as well as the roof assembly, mechanicals, electrical and plumbing rough--in is finished, work on the interior is proceeding right on schedule, including drywall taping and sanding, ceramic tiling and painting.

As you may recall, the building is divided into six vertical sections containing four floors of various-sized units. The first vertical section, at the east end of the building, will be complete in approximately 60 days. Moving east to west, the remaining five vertical sections will be carefully choreographed so work will proceed efficiently floor-by-floor within the subsequent vertical stacks. When blocks of units are completed, a rigorous punch-list process will ensure that the new residences meet the highest standards expected at The Garlands. Meanwhile, since they do not align with the units on the floors below, separate dedicated work crews will be assigned to the 16 penthouse suites. The penthouses have numerous atypical construction conditions related to the sloped roof trusses that create the opportunity for aesthetically striking ceiling conditions within many of the units.

Labels: active retirement communities, Alzheimer's Care, Chicago estate planning, Midwest retirement home, Phase II

I can do it!! Yes I can. You see I'm a lefty and this letter will not be perfect because using my right paw isn't the easiest thing to do. But we haven't been in touch for quite a while; thus this attempt.

Why haven't I been more diligent? Well, it's a long story and despite my need to yap out every detail, I'll cut to the chase. I HAD SURGERY. Yup, big time, at least I thought so.

Perhaps some of you saw my bright red bandage that wound around and around my left leg. Their supply of gauze, tape and stretch stuff must have been in mucho supply because it was only the end of my left paw that needed to be protected. Why oh why couldn't they see I'm a big boy and can take care of myself.

Well, back to the surgery. I was poked, prodded, shaved, put to sleep, cut and stitched. I finally woke up in a tiny horrible cage, and I'm not used to a cement floor. Have I got your sympathy? I certainly hope so because don't we all need a dose of TLC at times?

Despite being incapacitated for two weeks, it all turned out for the best, but I drove my family nuts during my recuperation. I couldn't go out for a walk, play with my toys, and jump on the furniture... (don't tell) and have yummy treats. Besides, I had to wear an upside down lampshade at night to keep me from tearing that annoying bandage off. I looked stupid.

But I did get even with my caregivers because they had to stay close to home for fear I would get into trouble, which I've been known to do. Because the doctor's orders had to be carefully followed, I was under their watch 24/7. What a bummer!!

Try as I did, the bandage just didn't come off. But the stitches did; two weeks later. According to the vet, my paw will be back to normal in no time. Until then, more sympathy please.

Love,
P.D.

Labels: active retirement community, Alzheimer's Care, chicago retirement community, pd the dog, senior living facility

Prairieview at The Garlands skilled nursing program is one of three in the state and 41 in the country to receive a five-star rating and, subsequently, recognition from US News and World Report as one of "America's Best Nursing Homes" in 2009.

To help consumers find the best choice from among the nation's more than 15,000 nursing homes, US News and World Report ranks nursing homes on a quarterly basis and places the best on its Honor Roll. Prairieview at The Garlands skilled nursing program merited Honor Roll status for 2nd quarter 2009, which means Prairieview achieved a perfect five-star rating from the federal government's Center for Medicare Services (CMS) in each of its three yardsticks: health inspections, nurse staffing and quality measures of individual care.

"To be ranked in the top 41 of 15,000 skilled nursing programs in the nation is a remarkable accomplishment and a true testimony to the quality and value The Garlands offers our residents in the event they should ever need short-term rehabilitative or long-term care," said Thomas S. Herb, President and Chief Executive Officer of Barrington Venture Holding Company LLC, local owners and operators of The Garlands.

Prairieview at The Garlands offers around-the-clock assisted living and skilled nursing services within the context of the Garlands of Barrington, a premier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located at 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington, IL. Due to state licensing agreements, access to the highly rated skilled nursing program at Prairieview is limited to members who currently live within The Garlands CCRC as independent living or assisted living members. As such, the peace of mind that comes with having access to such top-notch care should it ever be need is an added benefit that is offered exclusively to Garlands members and one to consider when looking into The Garlands lifestyle for yourself or a loved one.

US News and World Report's "America's Best Nursing Home Honor Roll" and the CMS Five-Star quality rating system help consumers, their families and caregivers easily compare nursing homes. The ranking system is important because skilled nursing programs vary in the quality of care and services they provide to their residents. Reviewing health inspection results, staffing data, and quality measure data are three important ways to measure nursing home quality. This information gives consumers a "snap shot" of the care individual nursing homes give.

For more information about US News's Honor Roll visit usnews.com or for information about the CMS ratings visit medicare.gov and select "nursing home compare." For information about The Garlands, please call 847-304-1996 and continue browsing this site.

Labels: Alzheimer's Care, chicago senior living, garlands blogger, Midwest retirement home, US News

Skilled Nursing Program Earns 5-Star Rating

Prairieview at The Garlands skilled nursing program recently earned an overall five-star rating by the federal government's Center for Medicare Services (CMS). Prairieview at The Garlands offers around-the-clock assisted living and skilled nursing services within the context of the Garlands of Barrington's premier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located in Barrington, IL.

Prairieview's skilled nursing program is one of the only skilled nursing programs within a 25-mile radius to earn a five-star overall rating and consistently top marks for health inspections, staffing and quality.

"This is a remarkable accomplishment and a true testimony to the quality and
value The Garlands skilled nursing program offers our residents in the event
they should ever need short-term rehabilitative or long-term care services,"
says Thomas S. Herb, President of Barrington Venture Holding Company LLC,
owners and managers of The Garlands.

Due to state licensing agreements, access to the highly rated skilled nursing program at Prairieview is limited to members who currently live within The Garlands CCRC as independent living or assisted living members. As such, the peace of mind that comes with having access to such top-notch care should it ever be needed is an added benefit for Garlands members and one to consider when looking into The Garlands lifestyle for yourself or a loved one.

The CMS Five-Star quality rating system helps consumers, their families and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily. The ranking system is important because skilled nursing programs vary in the quality of care and services they provide to their residents. Reviewing health inspection results, staffing data, and quality measure data are three important ways to measure nursing home quality. This information gives consumers a "snap shot" of the care individual nursing homes give.

For more information about the CMS ratings visit www.medicare.gov and select "nursing home compare."

Labels: active retirement community, Alzheimer's Care, Chicago assisted living, From the Executive Director

In addition to our exciting Phase II construction, Prairieview's memory care program, which typically receives very little public attention, is also growing. What is most important to note about this program is that our members--particularly their caring families--are quite pleased with our specialized memory care services. In fact, The Carroll family, a lovely family of six kids from the northwest suburbs, recently shared their family's story with us as testimony to our program. As Frances, the eldest daughter says,

"Our mother taught all of her kids the fine art of caring. With the help of the people at Prairieview, we are honoring her legacy."

As you read through their family's experience with Alzheimer's Disease, their rationale for choosing Prairieview for assisted living needs and their experiences with the program, we think that, like us, you will be very pleased with the services we offer families who are on this very difficult journey.

Labels: active senior living, Alzheimer's Care, Chicago assisted living, chicago retirement community, chicago senior living, From the Executive Director, upscale retirement community

As many families of our residents know all too well, Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive brain disease that destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior that are severe enough to affect most every aspect of one's life and the lives of those who care for them. One in eight Americans age 65 or older (13%) has Alzheimer's disease.

In honor of our Prarieview residents who have this disease, and in tribute to their legacies, Prairieview is a proud sponsor of the Alzheimer's Association's 2008 Memory Walk.

We would like to invite you to join the Prairieview team--comprised of Prairieview staff, family members and concerned members of the community--to "take steps" to end Alzheimer's Disease on Saturday morning, October 4 at the Lake County Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk.

The Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's Disease research and support, is advancing progress in prevention, treatments and an eventual cure and provides support for all those affected by the disease. The Memory Walk is a noncompetitive walk, and a festive event for families, coworkers and friends of all ages.

The Memory Walk, a 5K (3.2 miles) walk, is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. The event will be held at Independence Grove, 16400 West Buckley Road in Libertyville. Optional transportation is available to and from The Garlands of Barrington on the day of the walk. Registration starts at 8 AM followed by an 8:45 AM opening ceremony and the walk itself.

To join Prairieview in taking steps to end Alzheimer's Disease, as either a walker or a sponsor, contact team captain Amy Nyberg at 847-852-3500. We would love for you to join us!

Labels: active retirement communities, Alzheimer's Care, chicago senior living, From the Executive Director, senior retirement communities, upscale retirement community

The most significant development lately has been the pouring of the first floor in the underground parking garage. Heated, underground parking is a benefit that members of The Garlands really enjoy--each residence comes complete with a designated parking place, just one of a million conveniences that make up The Garlands lifestyle, and what we feel is a part of upscale senior living. Meanwhile, site utilities for storm and sanitary lines, main electrical feed and being installed in the coming weeks.

Labels: Alzheimer's Care, chicago retirement community, Midwest retirement home, Phase II, upscale retirement community, upscale senior living

Kenneth E. Hurd, the renowned interior designer whose work includes the historic renovation of New York's Waldorf-Astoria and who created the interior design of the Garlands first phase will return for a Phase II Garlands engagement.

With Ken's leadership and vision, our goal is to create the same level of quality, finish and feel people have come to expect of The Garlands. We constantly receive compliments for the casual elegance of our interior design. As one of the preeminent active retirement communities in the country, we feel a responsibility to such high standards, and we're thrilled to have Ken back on board to help!

Labels: active retirement communities, active senior living, Alzheimer's Care, Chicago estate planning, chicago retirement community, Phase II