When it comes time for a senior to leave a longtime home and go somewhere with options for care and services, it can be difficult to find a place that feels like home. Anthology of Olathe seeks to provide a home-like community with its range of senior living options.
The primary facility in Olathe was previously a Holiday Inn and was renovated five years ago into its current set-up. In May of last year, Anthology Senior Living, a national company that owns other senior living communities in the Kansas City area, took ownership of the facility. They began offering assisted living, memory care and independent living at the Olathe location.
Amiee Seck, executive director, says the different levels of care they provide range from basic oversight in independent living all the way up to assisted living and memory care.
“You can age in place with us,” Amiee says. “We take a high level of care in assisted living. Even if you require some heavy care, we are able to provide that care in a home-like environment so you don’t feel like you are going into a nursing home.”
Amiee says the memory care area is a small environment, and as such residents are not overwhelmed with their surroundings. In addition, she says it has a low staff-to-resident ratio, and that allows the staff to focus on getting to know the residents and their families. In addition, they seek to meet the residents where they are at and offer unique programming that even allows the residents to relive some aspects of their lives.
The independent living facility is a free-standing building with one and two-bedroom options and meals offered a-la-cart. In addition, they offer an in-house salon, physician, and therapy.
“We have seniors in the community who are not quite ready for that assisted living, but they need some oversight and security knowing that if something were to happen, we would be there,” Aimee says.
Additionally, Anthology of Olathe is opening short-term rehab-to-home apartments to meet the needs of those transitioning between hospital and home. After hospitalizations or surgeries seniors are often not quite ready to go home even after using all their insurance-allotted time in the hospital. These apartments can help bridge that gap and provide additional time for healing and recovery.
Whatever living arrangement, residents say the connection with the people at Anthology of Olathe stands out.
“It’s that family atmosphere,” Amiee says. “They have all gotten to know each other and the staff so well.”
DeLila Offutt has lived in the independent living facility for nine months and feels at home in the community.
“I love the people,” DeLila says. “You make a connection with the staff and the other residents. I think everyone is very nice.”
She says she has a full schedule that includes Bingo, walks, scenic drives, shopping, happy hours, meals and more, with Anthology arranging all these activities. She also particularly enjoys it when they bring in outside entertainment, which often includes musicians.
“Their facilities are the latest, and they make you feel good when you walk in,” DeLila says.