Danielle Parkins, Executive Director of Aljoya Thornton Place in Seattle, joins Suzanne to talk about what's included when new residents move into Era Living. Everything they'd need is included: amenities such as weekly housekeeping, facilities help, 24-hour staff for safety and security, activities from fitness to spirit to intellectually stimulating, dining, internet, cable, a social worker is available onsite, a beautiful pool, and more, including something unique, a partnership with the U of Washington that brings in lecturers, study participants, and a pharmacist that reviews medications with residents. When you get everything you could need and want, when we think what we spend with housing and utilities, what they offer is a bargain, especially with a higher quality of life.

Ancillary services include parking, valet service, pet care that'll walk your pets and clean up kitty litter. Unique to them, a nurse practitioner comes to the building twice a week, and residents can see her without going outside the community for care. For people moving in from out of state, that's convenient.

Danielle says, "The feelings and the community are most important. It's the residents that live here, that you're making friends with, in forming relationships. It's the staff that care and want to do their best for you and by our residents every day. That's the most important part. We say it's the Aljoya family. And we all celebrate when somebody has a great thing that happens, and we all mourn when there's something bad, or a loss in the community."

Danielle adds, "If you were looking for a retirement community to move into, and you want to get a feel for what the community can provide you, and the people, I'd say go and have a couple of meals. Ask to sit with some residents that already live there. Attend a couple events. I'm hoping everyone does as extensive activities as we do. You get a calendar, pick a couple of things and go and see what the feel is like of these activities that are happening. And talk to the the staff. If you see somebody, ask them what's it like to be here? Do you enjoy working here? I think that could give you a good feel for what the community is like, and what you can expect."

There's more about Era Living at Answers for Elders and at eraliving.com. Aljoya Thornton Place is located at 450 NE 100th St. in Seattle, WA.

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