Senior Living

Each year in May, we recognize Older Americans Month. This year, the theme is “Communities of Strength” – an especially poignant focus when living through a pandemic and looking to better days ahead.

But no matter what the time period or situation, there are always so many things to consider when the critical decision of moving a loved one to assisted living comes to the forefront.  Families often have to take a hard look at what their relative truly needs to be comfortable versus what they might want that person to have to make themselves feel better about the change.

If you’re starting the process of a life transition with your loved one, it takes courage and a thorough conversation about what’s best for them in a new living space.

• Allow some personal belongings. Downsizing is an important factor when moving to assisted living. A favorite kitchen table or lounge chair may no longer fit in a new space, so it is left behind. What is important to pack for your relative are photographs of family and friends, photo albums, favorite books, a piece of artwork or a familiar blanket and pillows. Transitioning to new housing for your loved one shouldn’t mean giving up all the comforts of their former home.
• Not everything should be new. Moving someone into an assisted living facility is a huge adjustment. So much is different for them – the people, the food, the routines. Many times, families look to our spaces that include kitchens as a must-have, especially if their loved one enjoyed cooking. If the resident is taking all meals in the dining area and needs significant support when eating, then the kitchen isn’t a necessity. Experts remind us that change should be kept to a minimum. The best approach is to limit the new things that our residents need to learn and adjust to, and they may not even use or need because of the complete amenities offered.
• Expect change. It will happen. Your loved one will tell you that they don’t like where they now live. They may even ask to go home. Remember, this is a normal process when dealing with major changes. Keep in mind that to them, home is both a place and a feeling. Ask them to talk to you about what they miss. It may not change anything, but allowing them to express how they feel is incredibly important.
• Be patient. Three to six months is the average time experts say that it takes for someone to adjust to assisted living. Stick with the reasons for your loved one’s move – improved safety, health, security, and comfort. This will help get through the tough times in those early days and weeks.

No matter what stage of the assisted living process, you can turn to Castle Senior Living for guidance. Talk to us about concerns that you have as we support your loved one through the transition and toward a happy lifestyle. We are proud to provide a comfortable, loving home environment that encourages independence, stability and happiness, and includes a variety of amenities, programs and clinical support for our residents. That’s how we build a community of strength.

Read more here or contact us with any questions.

Castle Senior Living is excited to host a job fair for anyone interested in joining our team. If you think you may be a good fit, please attend! And if you know of anyone who may be a good fit, please encourage them to attend.

We will be holding on the spot in-person interviews. However, if you feel more comfortable or wish to have a virtual interview, we can arrange for that too. For those coming in person, we will have paper applications available day of or you can get a jumpstart and apply online. If you are wanting a virtual interview, please apply online and communicate that you prefer a virtual interview.

We encourage you to visit our Careers page to learn more about our culture, values and benefits of a career at Castle Senior Living.

Date & Time
Thursday, May 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location
10427 W. Lincoln Ave Suite 1400
West Allis, WI 53227.

Current Openings

• CNAs (certified nursing assistants)
• CBRF Caregivers
• LPNs (licensed practical nurses)
• Culinary Positions – cooks, aides, etc.
• Medical Assistants
• Lead Caregivers
• House Managers
• Maintenance Tech

A full listing of open positions can be found here.

To find out more information or if you have any questions please email our recruiter – Meghan Sullivan.

We recently sat down for a chat with Brian Bercher, the Culinary Manager at The Grand Hills Castle, and soon discovered that he can hold a conversation on pretty much anything – whether it’s creating from-scratch meals for residents, homemade food for rescue dogs or playing in an Irish band.

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Brian Bercher is not afraid to admit it up front.

“I don’t cook at home. DoorDash is my private waiter,” he quips.

But in his lifelong role in fine dining as a sous-chef, executive chef, private chef and caterer, Brian is well-trained on cooking from scratch. Since January of this year, he’s been happy to bring his creativity to the daily menu at The Grand Hills Castle.

“I understand the regional meat-potatoes-gravy aspect here,” says Brian. “I want to make as much of our meals as homemade as possible. I’m a firm believer of supporting our community businesses, outsourcing local meat and produce. In fact, next week Monday, we’re preparing roast beef from a local supplier and I will season it myself.”

Brian, who began washing dishes in an authentic Japanese steakhouse when he was 17, has always been interested in food. He earned his culinary degree in between his living and working in restaurants, private kitchens and assisted living communities across the U.S. In addition to his position with The Grand Hills Castle, Brian runs a private chef business.

“Families hire me to cook their weekly meals, so that helps me stay in touch with family cooking and what they want to eat, as opposed to considering a five-star restaurant menu and creating a salmon souffle,” he adds. “In that way, I can reflect what the local wants and needs are much better to the Castle Senior Living community.”

In addition to his talents in the kitchen, Brian is a stage musician and plays bass guitar in the group, Ireland-the-band, which tours much of the East Coast on weekends. He’s involved in Greyhound Rescue and runs a retirement home with two dogs currently in residence. Homemade meals are also on their menu.

“I make my own dog food, usually about forty pounds of food a week. The meals are made with chicken liver, brown rice, sweet potato and carrots. There’s a meat, a grain, and a vegetable. The dogs get a well-balanced meal.”

Brian enjoys the freedom to create what the residents at The Grand Hills Castle want to eat. His goal is to develop a menu that is nutritionally sound and satisfying to the residents and their families.

“We are cooking for them in the same way that we cook for our families,” he says. “Our residents are like family, and we always want to do the best for them.”

How do you choose the correct senior living community?

Whether you are considering a future move to a life plan community or perhaps a relative or loved one is in need of care right away, it’s important to lay out a plan to choose the best senior living community for your wants, needs and budget.

Here are some first steps:

• Determine the community – There are many options available – from independent and assisted living on to long-term nursing communities and 24-hour skilled care. The choice depends on whether the person needs minimal help with medications and meals, or suffers from diseases like Alzheimer’s and other illnesses that require more critical care. Be sure to check out the chart below that can provide some insight on the different types of communities.
• Contemplate the right fit – When you look at the broad picture, consider which communities are licensed by the state. Perhaps you or your loved one will thrive in a small, more homelike setting or would prefer a larger senior living community. Money is also a factor, whether you can afford private pay or require financial assistance.
• Study the reputation – Once there are locations to consider, research websites and social media platforms. Consider the community’s testimonials and client reviews, and ask friends who’ve been in similar situations for referrals.

Tip: Look for the ways a community shows compassion to residents, supports their needs, and keeps them engaged in activities for a well-rounded senior living experience.

Once a list of needs and wants is completed, continue your preparation with the following:

• Develop a list of questions – These could involve the cleanliness of the community, the floor plan’s ease of use, safety measures (door locks, lighting, handrails), meal plans, social activities and more. Be sure to ask how the residence stands out from similar communities in your chosen location.
• Schedule a tour – In-person visits are available at some communities, though some are continuing with virtual tours during the pandemic. Contact the places you’re considering for the latest guidelines.

Bottom line, trust your instincts. If the community feels like the place you or a loved one would consider their new home, then you’re well on your way. Please contact us if you have additional questions or want more information about making the best choices for senior living. We’d love to help and our team is fantastic at supporting people as they go about making this difficult decision – whether the final choice is Castle Senior Living or not.

The Four Primary Senior Residence Options

	Community Based Residential Facility CBRF	Adult Family Home AFH (3-4 bed)	Residential Care Complex RCAC	Nursing Home
Residence Type	Serves a variety of needs, and may include dementia and other conditions of aging	Serves a variety of needs, and may include dementia and other conditions of aging	Independent living. Does NOT serve incompetent, Alzheimer’s, or dementia populations	Most require 24-hour care due to physical or mental conditions
Number of Residents	From 5-257 beds, usually 20+	Up to 4, usually a residential-style home	Independent living complex; at least 5 apartments	5 or more
RN on staff	Not required	Not required	Not required	Yes
Hours of nursing care	Up to 3 hrs/wk	Up to 7 hrs/wk	N/A	24 hours
General level of care	Provides room and board and assistance. Most often admit and provide services to: People of advanced age Dementia Developmental disabilities Mental health problems Physical disabilities Traumatic brain injury Terminally ill/Hospice	Care, treatment or services are above the level of room and board; should not require care above intermediate level of nursing care	Provide up to 28 hours of care/week: Supportive services Personal assistance Health services Emergency assistance Services must be part of tenant’s service agreement	Complete care, room and board
24-hour caregivers	Yes	Caregivers may live on-site	Emergency Assistance if needed	Yes
Minimum Age Requirement	18 years	18 years	Adult	Adult

We are pleased to welcome Bonnie Sommer, who joined the Castle Senior Living Family as a resident of Victorian Castle.

Bonnie says she’s “an open book” and can carry on a conversation with just about anyone. Here’s what we learned about her during a recent visit.

 

There were several big “firsts” for Bonnie Sommer in 2020. She turned 80-years-old in May and arrived at Victorian Castle around Christmas.

“It was such a fast move from where I was to here,” Bonnie recalls. “I was not happy at my other place, and my family and I were concerned that my former senior living community would close without warning. I was living day to day wondering if I’d have to move.

“My youngest son, Bob, did some research and found Victorian Castle. This place is wonderful. The people here are so friendly and helpful. My son wanted me to be close to him and it worked out. You turn a corner from his house and you’re here.”

Bonnie, who was born in Chicago and the oldest of three siblings, grew up in the Milwaukee area. She recalls her early life as an adventure with her father serving in the U.S. Army.

“In my time, mothers didn’t work. But, when my dad was away from home in the military, my mother took a job at a laundromat and raised us kids.

“We all had to look out for each other. You just have to keep working at it, even when things get hard.”

Bonnie attended Bay View High School, where she met Bill Sommer, who became her high school sweetheart. They later married and had three children, Bill, Sandy and Bob.

“Bill was in the U.S. Coast Guard and I was going to nursing school, but I was told that I had too much compassion to be a nurse so I had to find something else to do. I was disappointed at first, but we settled here. Bill was in the Coast Guard part-time and worked as a laborer at different factories. I worked at a drug store part-time and at various jobs in food service. I always enjoyed cooking.”

When we asked Bonnie what she loves most about Victorian Castle, she said, “The people. One of the residents here is a good friend. We hit it off so well that we watch football games together. I never watched football with my late husband, but my friend and I have the same kind of interests. If I had trouble with my TV, he would come and fix it for me.”

Bonnie appreciates the staff who stop by to talk with her. The people here take care of residents in good times and bad, she says, and you won’t go through any challenges alone.

“If I had a chance to move, I wouldn’t. I’m a queen and living in my castle now.”