Stay at home? Move to an independent senior community or take Mom and Dad to an assisted living facility? These questions along with many other concerns and emotions start swirling in our heads, keeping us awake and worried all night.
Our parents who have given us so much of themselves all our lives, now depend on us to help them make the right choice. Where do we start? Which community is better? What should we look for? Cost, safety, ambiance, service, staff, size, location - these are some of the questions we must address.
But how?
Meet Dr. Farideh Bagne, Founder, President and CEO of Magnolia by the Lakes Independent and Assisted Living Senior Resort - a luxury senior community that is actually a magnificent lake-side resort created specifically for seniors 55 and older. Magnolia by the Lakes offers "Continuum of Care" in a unique "winterless" setting with beautiful views of the majestic Cass and the serene Sylvan Lakes.
Prior to establishing Magnolia by the Lakes, Dr. Bagne owned and operated the largest conglomerate of privately owned cancer centers in the United States. During her outstanding career, Dr. Bagne, with her specialty in Radiological Sciences, was a professor, and researcher at Dartmouth Medical School, Duke University, the Medical College of Ohio and Wayne State Medical School.
Dr. Bagne's love, respect and affinity for seniors was her driving force to establish a senior community that would provide the most comfortable and friendly yet cost-effective resort for seniors in the autumn of their lives.
After speaking with Dr. Bagne, I was incredibly impressed by this dynamic and visionary woman who has a strong sense of business mixed with a heart of gold. In Magnolia, she has created an oasis for seniors while keeping the cost comparable to industry standard.
Her deep desire to create a senior community where residents can live all four seasons and not feel the need to escape to Florida in the cold weather, led her to create the winterless community of Magnolia by the Lakes with studios, 1 & 2-bedroom townhouses and 3-bedroom penthouses. Most townhomes have balconies and lake views. The 1,500 square foot penthouse offers seniors an extraordinary continuum of life in sheer opulence.
The townhomes are situated in Magnolia South Independent Resort where active residents can enjoy life while receiving assistance if needed. They still maintain their full independence but can choose from an optional concierge package that offers a variety of meals, housekeeping and activities. The center of the activities is the Village Square, an indoor fountained garden with an open theatre and café-style seating. The many amenities of the Village Square include: a French bakery, an ice cream shop, a universal chapel a beauty salon/barber shop, a fitness center, an indoor pool and beautiful guest suites where friends and family can stay while visiting from out of town.
Magnolia also offers a stunning courtyard, a mini golf course and boat rides on Cass Lake where residents enjoy lovely views and stunning sunsets. What sets Magnolia by the Lakes aside from any other senior community is the fact that the multiple buildings are connected by the Harbor Walk, a striking indoor climate-controlled walk-way filled with an abundance of live plants and decorated with Italian marble statues and seating areas, all overlooking the blue waters of Cass Lake.
Magnolia North Assisted Living is designed for seniors requiring additional personal care. Magnolia North consists of studio apartments. All meals are provided and all amenities including the theatre, the activity room, the personal care services and the dining room are on one floor. Residents do not have to use steps or elevators on this side which makes getting around easier. The with 24-hour care station provides private duty services under the direction of a nurse supervisor. The private duty care is provided by Mt. Everest Caring. Mt. Everest offers services including hospice assistance, laundry, personal hygiene, medication reminders and morning and evening grooming.
What makes this Senior community truly special is the fact that Magnolia is age in place. Residents may start out on the independent side of the community and due to illness or aging can choose to move to Magnolia North, having the same familiar staff providing services. Sometimes a spouse may decide to move into Magnolia North while the other half of the couple continues to stay in Magnolia South Independent Living. They have peace of mind knowing their loved one is nearby with easy access while receiving full-time care and they can walk over at any time to visit or share meals.
Another feature that wonderfully stands out at Magnolia by the Lakes is the cohesive nature of the community, which stems right from the top. Dr. Bagne's love for the residents, the beautiful accommodations, the diverse cultures, the magnificent lakes and the amazing amenities, along with the incredible care and concern from the staff and caregivers, make this senior community not only stand out, but one of the best.
"We strive to make Magnolia the best in every aspect from our dedicated, professional and caring staff to details such as live plants, cleanliness and ambiance. We seek to bring every resident peace of mind, joy, love and laughter." Explained Dr. Bagne.
And that is the very best answer to all those vexing questions that come with this major life decision.