Residents of Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care feel at home because of caring people who make genuine connections, celebrating life’s little moments every day

By Patricia Nugent

What makes a home a home?

Sure, the furnishings and décor matter; so does the cleanliness and coziness. But what really makes a home a home sweet home is the people.

When I asked Danielle Ridgeway, director of marketing and sales for Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care what separates this community from others, she responded immediately: “It’s the people!”

She says the staff is like family and treats everyone who lives here like family.

“To give you an example, we moved a new resident in on Saturday,” she says. “And the next day the daughter came to thank me for setting up a welcoming committee of other residents who reached out to her mom. She was surprised when I told her I had nothing to do with it. The people who live here are just that warm and inviting. It’s sort of like you’re instantly adopted into the family.”

She says the five principles of well-being that make up the core values at Brooklyn Pointe are to learn, to connect, to be active, to give, and to be spiritual.

A Place to Thrive
“There’s no reason you cannot thrive and live a beautiful, vibrant life while in senior care,” says Danielle. “We make genuine connections with our residents and together celebrate life’s little moments every day. Each resident has a support plan of enrichment and care services that’s unique to them.”

In addition to trips and excursions, as well as a jam-packed activity schedule and exercise classes, Danielle says they are always on the lookout to customize the living experience.

“For instance, we have residents with green thumbs who love to garden,” she says. “So within the greenhouse here, we check in with their gardens (currently lots of succulents that are gorgeous and cheerful).”

Danielle says Brooklyn Pointe is a good fit for people looking to age in place.

“Our memory care neighborhood offers holistic care, and we work with on site physical therapists and occupational therapists, as well as with hospice organizations, too,” she adds.

Amenities Abound
Just as the level of care is thoughtful and inspired, so too are the 80 spacious and beautifully appointed suites, ranging from studios to one and two bedroom. For safety, each room is equipped with an emergency call system and each resident wears an alert pendant. Danielle also says they do well-checks on residents.

Open and airy gathering spaces are dotted throughout the community. Garden views of the charming courtyard give glimpse to cozy seating.

The host of amenities includes:

• Beauty salon and barber shop
• Happy hours
• Library
• Greenhouse
• Chapel
• Art studio, theater, and wellness center
• Therapy gym
• Transportation to social activities, errands, and doctor appointments
• Housekeeping, linen services, laundry
• Special interest clubs, group classes and educational programs to keep seniors active and involved

But What About the Food?
Danielle says the first thing people ask about when they take a tour is how’s the food?

The short answer is: amazing.

“The day starts with continental breakfast and dishes by order,” she says. “For lunch and dinner, there are two specials each day, as well as a menu people can order from with classic favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, chef salad, and more.”

The fare is both delicious and healthy, with a nod to fresh ingredients. Everything is made here.

“Our chef has her finger on the pulse point of what our residents love to eat,” she says. “This is Cleveland, right? People crave dishes like perogies, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage. Everyone looks forward to mealtimes.”

“You Can Feel it in the Air”
Word of mouth is the second-best way to judge if a senior care community is a good fit for you. (The best way is to stop in for a tour and see for yourself.)

Here’s what a few family members and residents are saying.

Sandra W. says, “The people at Brooklyn Pointe really care about the people who live there. You can feel it in the air. The staff that moved my loved one’s furniture in said that they have grandparents that live in a different community and the employees there just don’t seem to care. As an example of how amazing the staff is, I was putting new risers under my loved one’s adjustable bed and I could not handle it alone. A member of the kitchen staff was on the floor picking up dishes, and he came in and helped me and two other staff members fix the bed. They are just genuinely nice people.”

And Crisy P. says “I have had the pleasure of meeting the staff and firsthand see what great length these wonderful people go to, to keep their residents healthy, happy and safe. I would recommend Brooklyn Pointe and the staff to anyone looking for a beautiful place for their loved ones.”

Things You Should Know

When is it time for assisted living?
As the holidays near, and families gather more than usual, if you have an aging parent, this is a good time to check in and consider if it’s time for assisted living.

I caught up with Danielle Ridgeway, director of marketing and sales for Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care, who has over 10 years’ experience in senior care, for some insight into red flags to watch for:

• Has your parent noticeably lost weight?
• Do you notice they may have stopped making their own meals or eating?
• Has their appearance or the cleanliness of their home slipped?
• Does it seem like there’s too many or too few of their medications because they may be forgetting to take them?
• Have they suffered a fall or two? Even minor ones could be an indicator that it’s time for assisted care.

Having “the talk”
Once you’ve determined assisted living might be a better fit for your parent still living in their home, it’s time to talk about it.

“We understand how challenging it can be to let your parents know that you’re worried about them,” says Danielle. “It’s important to understand that the things that are worrying you may not be the same things that are worrying them. You might be worried most about safety, and they might be worried about moving to a new place, meeting new people, leaving a home that has special memories for them.”

Danielle says the best first step is to come to Brooklyn Pointe for lunch.

“Once people visit here, their idea of what senior living will be like changes,” she says. “Their concerns go away. They may come here initially not wanting a tour, but once we share lunch, their attitude changes.”

Brooklyn Pointe Assisted Living & Memory Care is competitively priced for mid-income folks, and they offer different options to fit different budgets. It is located at 4800 Idlewood Drive, in Brooklyn. Small pets are allowed. The facility has recently been certified as 100% deficiency-free by the Ohio State Department of Health. Call 216-273-1946 or visit BrooklynPointeSeniorLiving.com for more information.