By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Orval Martin, 95, was given the honor last week of cutting the ribbon at his new home – the Willows of Bowling Green.
As the first resident of the senior living facility, Martin said he couldn’t be happier.
“It’s phenomenal,” he said of the Willows at 525 S. Dunbridge Road. “I call it the Taj Mahal of Ohio.”
“I’m glad I waited for this place to open,” said Martin, of Temperance, Michigan, whose son lives in Bowling Green. “The people here do so much for me. The food is outstanding. Everything is first class.”
The Willows is operated by Trilogy Health Services, which has 130 sites in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“We’re so excited to put roots down here and serve this community,” Trilogy Chief Operating Officer Todd Mehaffey said at the open house packed with local people curious about the new facility.
The Willows is a place where residents can “call Bowling Green their home,” Mehaffey said. Throughout the facility there are nods to local character – with areas named Black Swamp Boulevard, Bobcat Alley, and Pull Town Parkway.
Mayor Mike Aspacher recalled standing out in a cold wintery field on Dunbridge Road to break ground for the Willows. After all of the setbacks caused by COVID, he welcomed the facility and paid his respects to people who provide services for seniors.
“This is a really big day,” Aspacher said.
Wood County Hospital President Stan Korducki noted the continuity of care that the Willows will offer local seniors.
“Bowling Green is growing, and we’re growing older, too,” he said.
It’s that continuum of care that makes the Willows different from many facilities, said Billie Jean Gerding, executive director of the facility.
“We offer the full continuum, from independent living to long-term care,” Gerding said. “Our folks can age in place. It truly becomes their home.”
That senior living continuum includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled services, and post-acute rehab.
Tours were given after the ribbon cutting, with people filling up at the sundae bar, charcuterie area and dessert station as they walked the different wings of the facility.
Staff pointed out all the safety features of the rooms, and the full kitchens and laundry facilities in the independent apartments.
“Life enrichment” programs were described, providing for socialization, activities, exercise, “mindful moments,” Friday happy hours, and a travel club. And staff explained how the memory care program provides routine and stability for residents.
Promotional material from parent company Trilogy stated, “Your happiness is our guarantee. That’s why if a customer isn’t satisfied with our services, we’ll provide funds to help them make a move to one of our competitors.” It also boasted about the food, saying, “our chef-prepared meals are served restaurant-style on china and fine linens, incorporating everything from delicious local flavors to resident favorite recipes.”
The Willows has the following accommodations: 25 independent living apartments, 23 assisted living suites, 18 memory care rooms, and 50 health center rooms.
The independent living features studio and one-bedroom apartments, along with a bistro, exercise room, lounge, and large veranda. Residents have a concierge who assists with daily activity schedules and appointments.
In its assisted living section, the Willows offers suites with kitchenettes, and enough space to hold favorite items from home. Residents can also spend time outdoors in the campus’ gated courtyard, participate in activities with their friends, or book a private dining room to host their family members for special occasions.
In the campus’ Legacy Lane Memory Care neighborhood, caregivers are trained in the “Best Friends” approach to dementia care. Staff members take the time to learn each resident’s life story and use that story to inform every aspect of their care. To learn more about what this entails, visit www.trilogybff.com .
Recovery and rehabilitation are the focus in the skilled nursing units, where residents will find therapists focused on improvements, and staff dedicated to their comfort and health.
Following are some features of each step of accommodations:
Independent living apartments
- 5 studios, plus 20 one-bedroom apartments and one-bedroom deluxe apartments. Residents can bring their furniture from home.
- Immediate access to amenities like the multi-purpose room, fitness center and bistro
- Cable, wi-fi, utilities, three meals daily, interior/exterior maintenance, twice monthly housekeeping, regularly scheduled activities and outings are included
- Emergency response system with resident pendants and call lights within the apartment
- Washer and dryer in each unit
- Starting at $2,599 a month
Assisted living suites
- Call cords in shower stall, near commode and in living space
- Suites come fully furnished, but families can also bring their own furniture
- Laundry/housekeeping included
- Private dining room available
- Putting green
- Activity center
- Assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing and grooming, medication management, and mobility help as needed
- Starting at $5,669 a month
Legacy Lane suites:
- Safe and secure memory care unit
- Specially selected and trained staff
- Laundry/housekeeping included
- Personalized care based on resident’s specific needs and abilities
- Daily Rhythms: daily programs and activities to ensure healthy energy patterns
- Family-style meal service
- Secured outdoor courtyard
- Monthly Alzheimer’s/dementia support groups for family members
- Must call for prices
Health center suites:
- 24-hour skilled nursing care
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Ortho, cardiac and stroke recovery
- Private bath featuring with Euro-style shower
- Variety of sitting areas for visiting with family/friends
- Courtyards with seating outdoors
- Must call for prices
