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Lincolnshire care facility treats the mind, body
Darlene Ayer during a square dancing class at The Ponds of Wealshire assisted living center Monday. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 20, 2012 2:24PM
LINCOLNSHIRE — When The Wealshire opened its doors in Lincolnshire in 1995, it was the first freestanding Alzheimer’s care facility in Illinois.
“When the owner (Arnie Goldberg) created The Wealshire, he wanted to make a community with the very socialized approach to care we provide,” Wealshire CEO Jennifer Babinger said. “And also remember that we care for not just the physical, but the mind and spirit as well.”
Today, The Wealshire and The Ponds, its assisted-living neighboring property, provide around-the-clock, skilled-nursing care for a variety of patients, ranging from dementia to patients needing a few weeks of rehabilitation from an injury, explained Lenna Scott, the facility’s director of marketing and admissions. Scott also writes the weekly senior network column for Pioneer Press.
“We believe very strongly in providing patient-centered care, which means the individual need comes first over the need of the community,” Scott added. “So whether you are here for rehab or assisted living, or for long-term skilled-nursing support, we try and create an environment that centers around what your needs are.”
To provide that quality of care, Scott said The Wealshire and The Ponds has a full staff of nurses, certified nursing assistants, and physical, occupational and speech therapists.
“We are very honored to be complimented by visiting physicians from (several Chicago area) hospitals,” Scott said. “We can service all the different areas our community touches.”
Daily entertainment and activities are an important part of The Wealshire’s patient care, Scott added. To meet those needs, Scott said the care centers have a highly-skilled activities staff to meet a wide range of patient needs.
“Art is something that a variety of abilities can create,” Scott said. “Whether you are someone who is highly functional and can do a very detailed pencil and ink drawing, or someone who may be a little more challenged, but can still create a mosaic with crumpled paper.”
Scott said The Wealshire and The Ponds residents also are treated to live entertainment, including singers and strummers.
“Our activities program is designed around the fact that whether you’re here for rehab or you’re here for a long-term care, utilizing activities helps to improve the quality of life,” Scott said.
With the holiday season approaching, Scott pointed out that The Wealshire also offers respite care. Scott explained that the service is designed to help alleviate stress during the holidays, when families might be struggling balancing the care for a loved one.
“They can have someone come and stay with us for two or three days while they prepare for the holiday, get everything right, and then have the loved one be there for the celebration, but without the stress of the day-to-day care giving during the holiday season,” Scott said.
Scott said The Wealshire and The Ponds are medically-based facilities and accept Medicare and almost every form of private insurance.
