Not your garden variety retirement community. Garden Plaza in Post Falls provides seniors dynamic living options

Five years ago, the phone ringing in the middle of the night would jolt Nancy Tate awake. It was her mother calling — again.

She was frightened and alone.

“I heard something,” said her mother. “I think someone is in the house. Can you come over please?”

Calls like that were all too common as Tate and her siblings dealt with the realities of their 91-year-old mother living alone in the family home. The late night calls took their toll, and family members realized it was time for them to make decisions about their mother’s living situation.

“We told her that we couldn’t keep coming over in the middle of the night and that we wanted her to live in a place where she felt safe and secure,” said Tate. “It was time for mom to make the transition to a retirement community.”

Lunch at Garden Plaza of Post Falls was the first stop on that new journey.

“She was very impressed with the facilities and the meal,” said Tate. “Within a month she had moved into an independent living apartment.”

Her mother formed warm friendships, enjoyed new activities and most importantly when night fell, she was no longer afraid.

Tate’s mother is one of many who’ve made the transition from living alone to living in a retirement community. Terek Beckman, Senior Executive Director at Garden Plaza, said over 200 seniors reside in the beautiful community just off Mullan Avenue in Post Falls.

“It’s its own community within our city,” said Beckman. “We offer a continuum of care here, starting with independent living and graduating to assisted living -- all the way to skilled nursing and rehabilitative services as residents needs evolve so does our capability to assist them.”

Garden Plaza’s elegant setting has the look and feel of a luxury resort. Amenities include a fitness and wellness center, an entertainment room, a bistro, and even a putting green for golfers.

Recently, the sounds of holiday music welcomed residents and guests walking through the main entrance. A cellist played “O Come All Ye Faithful” as a fire crackled in the fireplace.

Music is a mainstay at Garden Plaza. Weekly musical performances and dances are highly anticipated activities.

“I love the music,” said Becky Stein, who moved into a two-bedroom apartment with her husband, Hip, earlier this year. “My daughter was able to get up and sing in front of everyone.”

Stein said they also enjoys swimming, playing cards and dancing on Friday nights.

“There’s always something going on here,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun. Everyone is so nice and helpful. We love it.”

That’s a reaction Beckman hears frequently from residents who develop active social lives in their golden years.

“One gentleman was living in his house alone and I went to see him at the request of his children,” Beckman said. “His whole world had become his recliner and television. We were able to get him in and everything changed for him. He was able to take his life back. So many of our residents go from hoping to hear from their children once a week to being so busy the tables are turned and the children have to work around Mom and Dad’s calendar of events.”

Beckman recommends that family members who are trying to help relatives transition to a retirement community should start with a low-key approach and ask plenty of questions.

That’s exactly what Nancy Tate did.

“Grab lunch and take a tour,” she said. “Look at the faces of the residents. See if they’re smiling and happy. Then talk to the staff and management. Then look at the apartments and see how clean they are. My mother always kept a beautiful home and this was not a step down in any way.”

Penni Starren said her mother, Betty, was living in a condominium in Post Falls four years ago. Her mom, 88, struggled to go shopping and do basic chores like laundry.

“She was so lonely,” said Penni. “It was her idea to move to a retirement home. Now she’s on food committees and planning holiday parties.”

Isolation and declining health is what prompted Eugene Dolan to make the move this fall. The 88-year-old lived on 12 acres in Bayview. Dolan, who served as a fighter pilot in Korea and Vietnam, relished his independence. The decision to move into a retirement community was not easy.

“Those were dark days,” said Dolan. “It was the hardest thing I had to do. You feel like you’re giving up everything. However, I’ve been so happy at Garden Plaza. The facilities are great. The people are nice. The food is excellent. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

For more information call (208) 773-3701 or visit www.gardenplazapostfalls.com

By MARC STEWART

Staff Writer