The Village of St. Edward is where residents enjoy safety and peace of mind while engaging in familiar, fun, and faith-based activities
By Patricia Nugent
Residents and their families at The Village of St. Edward give favorable reviews to the protocols put in place by the conscientious staff to provide safety and peace of mind during these uncertain times.
“Our mission is to engage our residents at every level along their journey,” says Annette Walters, corporate director of marketing. “We’ve been fortunate to welcome new residents during the pandemic by offering virtual tours to give them a nice introduction.”
Opened last year, locations in Green and Wadsworth offer rustic, home-like accommodations for independent and assisted living, as well as memory care.
The Fairlawn campus includes independent living, supported and assisted living, a rehabilitation and nursing center for round-the-clock care and memory care units.
Keeping Things Safe and Secure
When the virus hit, the crafty and creative staff came up with a full slate of group activities to follow the safety protocols.
They changed group exercise and bingo to hallway exercise and bingo, with the residents remaining in their doorways, but still feeling like part of the action.
They also made sure residents’ spiritual needs were addressed by streaming mass with Father Novak and Sister Barbara.
Meet Barb, Pam, Tom and Joanne
Barb Mesek moved to the Fairlawn Village in 2016, saying the faith-based independent living appealed to her. Although it was difficult to leave her home, she had suffered several falls and neither she, nor her children, felt she was safe there anymore.
“I toured many places, but none of them were as upbeat as St. Edward,” she says. “You always hear laughter, whether from residents or staff.”
She’s made lots of friends, Catholics and non-Catholics, who are genuine and kind. “Everyone has a story to tell,” says the feisty 91-year-old. “We play card games and bingo. And the staff always goes the extra mile to make things special.”
Last October, Tom and Joanne Trueblood were the second residents to move into independent living at the Green Campus.
The active 87- and 91-year-olds said they were looking to move out of their condominium to do less yard work, home upkeep and cooking.
“In other words, we wanted a lifestyle we felt we deserved,” says Tom. “And the decision was a good one. The staff here is magnificent. It’s professional and well-run. We don’t have to worry about a thing.”
Daily exercise for him ranges from walks around the grounds to weight training, yoga and stretching. Joanne enjoys the crafts and being part of the women’s club. And the couple likes to get out for trips to see the fall leaves, with a bus ride that’s engineered for safe social distancing.
When looking for memory care for her husband Dick three years ago, Pam Conley chose the comfort care unit at Fairlawn because it felt “bright, clean, inviting and homey.”
“I thought it was nice that he had his own room and bathroom and could go on walks in the courtyard,” she says. “He is sociable and active in the groups such as men’s rosary.”
She explains he suffers from encephalopathy and had been hospitalized.
“I knew he’d be safer with 24/7 care,” she says. “The staff has gone above and beyond in such endearing ways. They allow me to bring our dogs to visits, which he loves. And they also threw a little party for our 20th Anniversary in the party room.”
The faith-based, not-for-profit Village of St. Edward has three locations: Fairlawn, at 3125 Smith Road, 330-668-2828; Green, 3813 Fortuna Drive, 234-294-0010; and Wadsworth, 880 Main Street, 234-217-8735. Pets under 20 pounds are allowed. There are no long-term contracts and residents will not be asked to leave if they run out of funds. For more information, or to take a virtual visit, go to VSECommunities.org.