Vibrant senior living happens at Vista Springs Ravinia

By Patricia Nugent

In the past four months since opening, Vista Springs Ravinia has made quite a splash in the Independence community and beyond.

Tucked back on 15 wooded acres, the resort-like, five-diamond amenities range from a gorgeous spa and massage studio to a theater, fitness center, bistro and state-of-the-art exhibition kitchen, plus 24/7 concierge service in an ultra-elegant setting.

“As a family-owned and operated business, when you understand that we are here because our owner, Lou Andriotti, was unhappy with the options available when it came time for his mother to enter a senior care facility for dementia—and decided he wasn’t alone and wanted to provide a different holistic approach—everything makes sense,” says Sheila James, who is senior managing partner.

The traditional concept of senior living is truly reimagined.

Walking in the formal lobby, people notice the concert player piano, sleek marble floors, stacked stone walls, plush furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a manicured garden courtyard.

“We are a hybrid of luxurious living and vibrant catered independent, assisted living and memory care so our members can engage in life to the fullest,” says Sheila.

The next-generation model has already proven to fill a need. Vista Springs Ravinia is the 12th within the company to open, with others located in Northeast Ohio and Michigan.

“If someone enjoys the finer things in life, they’d appreciate what we offer,” says Sheila. “And at this stage in your life, why compromise? We view each community member as a person with unique aptitudes, interests and abilities, and our goal is to help people attain their optimum health and happiness no matter where they are in life.”

Salon and Spa————and Luxurious Living
Members can catch a workout in the fitness center, or luxuriate with a massage in the Impress Salon, Spa and Massage Studio, with a soothing salt sculpture along the wall of its main treatment suite. And meals are taken seriously, with vibrant chef-prepared food that’s made from scratch and designed to appeal to members’ palates.

In addition to a jam-packed monthly schedule of classes and events, the field trip schedule features a range of interests. On any given day, they are hopping on the bus and heading someplace fascinating, such as plays downtown, tours of area wineries or historic reenactments.

Posh Spaces with Loads of Amenities
Super spacious studios, and one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites showcase posh interiors. There are 94 total suites, including 24 in the Rediscovery Neighborhood. Each offers a breathtaking view of the lush, wooded grounds or courtyard as well as lots of storage space and en-suite laundry facilities.

“Laid out in two circular sections connected by a beautiful courtyard, our Rediscovery Neighborhood is made of up activity stations and suites that include motion sensors to detect falls and light strips to help maneuverability at night,” says Director of Business Development Beth Shotwell Bowman.

Getting Cozy in the Kitchen
Chef James Martin says he feels fortunate to perfect his craft in a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen, which includes induction ranges specially made for demo cooking along with a combination convection/conventional oven and all the latest gadgets, such as wand processors and mandolins.

There’s space for up to 24 people to gather around and catch all the action. Additionally, the adjacent theater room allows for about 24 more active participants.

“Community members love to be involved, and those who participate really enjoy the camaraderie and interaction,” says Chef James. “We also go ‘live’ in every suite as it is broadcast on every television on Channel 61, and in the theater at the same time.”

At a recent demo, folks rolled up their sleeves and helped Chef James prepare beef tenderloin sliders served on fresh homemade roasted tomato focaccia bread with horseradish sauce. Along with the Life Engagement team, they also whip up crowd favorites such as pumpkin butter, toasted cheese bites and homemade pizzas.

Only the freshest seasonal ingredients will do. This fall, scrumptious standouts have included baked acorn squash, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin pie, pumpkin butter and a mouthwatering lineup of hearty casseroles. Look for comfort dishes throughout the winter and lighter fare with fresh fruits in the spring.

“We try to always keep our menu alive, a menu that is adaptable to trends, with plenty of healthy options such as whole grains, all-natural salad offerings, and so on,” he says.

“The advanced cooking technology is also on display in the Rediscovery Neighborhood for memory care, where induction buffet lines generate heat through the marble counter, yet are cool to the touch and safe for community members,” he says. “Also in Rediscovery, we have a pilot kitchen with a pizza oven.”

Jam-Packed Social Calendar
Each day is a moveable feast for the members at Vista Springs Ravinia. In the month of October alone, they took their show on the road, exploring the Cleveland Fire House, Covered Bridges Tour, Cuyahoga Valley Train Ride, Luther’s Farm, Michael Angelo’s Winery and BA Sweeties.

Gearing up for the holidays presents more opportunities for festivities. The welcoming folks love it when the community can join them to light things up. Don’t miss the Holiday Extravaganza and Tree-Lighting on Monday, December 2, from 5-7 p.m. Local vendors will offer a bevy of holiday crafts, jewelry and goodies for early shopping. There will be cookie decorating and Santa will make a stop, too. The switch gets flipped to turn on the lights and officially beckon the season.

And come catch some impossibly adorable canines at the Pup Strut Holiday Dog Show, on Saturday, December 7, from 1-3 p.m. Old Saint Nick makes an appearance on Saturday, December 14, from 2-4 p.m.

Preventive Approach to Wellness
Following a holistic approach to health and wellness, LPN Nikki Wadsworth and her staff of PCPs, personal care partners, see to the everyday medical needs of the community members.

“Although dispensing medications and monitoring their conditions is an integral part of our job, so are preventive initiatives and just being very aware of each community member,” says Nikki. “For instance, if someone has skipped a meal, or doesn’t seem themselves on a particular day, we share that with each other and try to find out why.”

On a monthly basis, members are weighed, and their vital health numbers such as blood pressure are taken and recorded to make sure they are on track and thriving. Anything out of the ordinary is passed on to their doctor.

“Getting to know each person is an important part of my job, and I absolutely love it,” adds Nikki, who has been a nurse for 31 years. “Those who are cognitively impaired often present a challenge if they cannot communicate whether they are hungry or thirsty or in pain, so we try to monitor them even more closely.”

Doctors make their rounds on-site, and folks who might need physical therapy can do that here as well

Vista Springs Ravinia is located at 6046 Brecksville Road, just north of Rockside Road, in Independence. Visit for lunch or dinner and a tour. Respite care is always available and small dogs are welcome. For more information, call 440-308-6599 or visit VistaSpringsLiving.com. The Parma community, Greenbriar Village, is located at 8668 Day Drive.