The Arbor at Wesley Lea Hill recently received a “zero-deficiency rating” from the Washington State Department of Health. This rare, hard-won rating for memory care excellence complements Wesley’s social program to create an uplifting resident experience.
The importance of the rating
“I’ve attended conventions where nurses from other states have asked me how I manage Washington State’s rigorous survey system,” says Jeannine Lee, Arbor Nurse Manager. “If you get a good survey here in Washington, you are doing very well. Our zero-deficiency rating indicates we are in full compliance with all state and federal standards. Ultimately, it means we are giving great patient care.”
A deficiency-free survey is the highest honor a community can receive. It represents a perfect score in state health and safety inspections. The Arbor’s daily teamwork and commitment ensure your loved one is in a safe, supportive and enriching memory care environment.
Jeannine says one key to The Arbor’s success is that her high-quality staff treats residents like family. They take time to sit and visit, learn about every individual and understand what it takes for each person to feel happy.
Human connection
While administering medication and assisting with meals, dressing, mobility and other daily domestic needs are very important parts of care, Jeannine’s team doesn’t stop there. They have a robust social schedule designed to stimulate and engage residents.
“We create activities that encourage them to reminisce as well as memory games and exercise sessions. We also bring in musicians who play the accordion and the piano, which our residents appreciate so much. Our sing-along program is the newest opportunity to have fun with music.”
Recently, Brownstone resident Ruth Williams and Jeannine introduced a sing-along program for The Arbor residents.
“The sing-along program started by Ruth has been wonderful,” says Jeannine. “A couple of independent living residents lead the sessions of upbeat music, and Arbor residents join right in. You should see the smiles on their faces; they enjoy it so much.”
It’s personal
Ruth and her husband Bob moved to Wesley Lea Hill 14 years ago after Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Bob moved to The Arbor in 2024. He is one of several of the couple’s relatives who have lived there.
“I’m convinced that, without The Arbor, Bob wouldn’t be here today,” says Ruth. “What The Arbor staff does in a single day to take care of our loved ones is incredible. Bob is thriving here, and I couldn’t be happier.”
She came up with the sing-along idea after a conversation with Jeannine about the importance music can play for people with dementia.
“However, I don’t sing,” she says. “Then I realized I didn’t have to sing because other independent living residents are active singers in our chorus and elsewhere. We have about 10 song leaders, and we only began in late August. Bob, who can’t often find the right words anymore, sings all the songs, lyric by lyric. There is also a resident who is non-verbal but sings most of the songs with us.”
Making adjustments
Ruth says the half-hour singalongs are a work in progress. For example, they initially handed out songbooks, which proved cumbersome when finding the right page and reading along.
“We settled on what works the best for them and for us,” Ruth says. “We put all the names of simple songs in a jar, they pick the song, and we sing. It works better with the jar and a familiar song rather than having to read lyrics. The half hour goes so fast. They love it.”
Randomly selecting the songs also eliminates any prep for the song leader. All they’re asked to do is to lead the group. Ruth says she and the song leaders always talk about how to improve the sing-alongs.
“Recently, one of the ladies had a birthday on the singalong day,” she says. “We all sang happy birthday at the end of our session. We’re now compiling a list of every birthday so, if someone’s birthday is that week, we can sing to them.”
Ruth says more changes are in the works. She’s excited to fill the song jar with holiday carols on December 1, confident the singalong group will fill Wesley Lea Hill with good cheer – the perfect cherry on top of excellent memory care.
If you’d like to know about available apartments in The Arbor at any Wesley community, contact us today!