For Bret and Christi Johnson, Garden View Manor began as a deeply personal response to what they experienced in caring for their loved ones. They envisioned a more intimate, home-like setting where seniors could receive individualized attention, meaningful engagement and the dignity of aging in place. That vision, shaped by years of research, training and persistence, ultimately became Garden View Manor, a residential assisted living home in Elkhorn designed to feel less like a facility and more like home.
“When my mom went through the big environments, it just sealed the deal,” Christi says. “A warm environment that feels like home is something seniors need.”
That experience sparked years of research into residential assisted living, a model already gaining traction in parts of the country. About 10 years ago, the Johnsons trained in Phoenix under Gene Guarino, a national leader versed in converting homes into elder care environments.
“We were one of the first classes going through this training,” Christi says, sharing that though Guarino has since passed, his impact on their lives provided them purpose. “He showed us there is a better way to do this and Garden View Manor is the product of his mentorship.”
Financing the vision proved challenging. Banks were unfamiliar with the residential assisted living model, and it took years of persistence, education and industry training to secure the resources needed to build Garden View Manor from the ground up. Today, the home stands in a quiet residential neighborhood in Elkhorn, designed to feel warm and personal rather than clinical.
Garden View Manor accommodates up to eight residents, each with their own bedroom, supported by a high caregiver-to-resident ratio of four residents to one caregiver. This level of staffing allows the team to truly know each resident’s habits, preferences and needs.
“The ability to give that much more care to people, it's huge,” Bret says.
The home serves a wide range of seniors, from those who are largely independent to those who require memory care or hospice levels of support. Residents can age in place through the end of life, with hospice brought in as needed.
“Our goal and our mission is that when a resident moves in, it’s the last move they have to make. They can be comfortable and happy in years that are otherwise challenging and full of change,” Bret says.
While Garden View Manor does not provide medical care directly, it works closely with local health professionals. A partnered APRN group conducts weekly health assessments, manages medications and remains on call for concerns. Physical and occupational therapists come on-site, minimizing the need for residents to leave the home. A home health agency responds, orders and performs tests in the home and sends labs directly without requiring clinic visits.
Alongside partnerships that provide efficient medical aid, the Johnsons share that administrative assistant Jennifer Soby has helped shape the culture of Garden View Manor, with residents and their families adoring the work she does and the care she provides.
“She just has such a big heart and does an excellent job making our families feel safe and welcomed,” Christi says.
Both Christi and Bret share that without the help of caretakers like Soby, day-to-day work would not be possible with the level of care that they provide.
“We know our residents so well because of that resident-to-caregiver ratio,” Christi says. “Because they get more personalized care, our caregivers can provide insight into behavior changes, whether it's something serious, something medical or even if it's just a change in mood or personality that can be fixed with more interaction or activities within the home.”
Daily life at Garden View Manor centers on comfort and familiarity. Meals are home-cooked and planned weekly around residents’ preferences, including favorite snacks. Activities are personalized to each resident’s interests and skills. The home brings in pet therapy, live performers and interactive programs to keep residents engaged and active.
The physical environment reinforces the feeling of home. The house includes eight bedrooms, five bathrooms and a deck with covered and uncovered areas. A generator provides added security during power outages, an uncommon feature among assisted living facilities.
Equally important is the family culture the Johnsons have built. They encourage residents’ families to get to know one another and host seasonal gatherings like Christmas parties with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Independence Day celebrations and Thanksgiving meals where residents can still feel like they are hosting their loved ones.
“We try to build an environment that feels like family,” Christi says. “We want our residents’ family members to get to know each other and create a community.”
For the Johnsons, Garden View Manor is not just a business. It is the kind of place they would choose for their own future.
“Down the road, when I get to that age, where do I want to go? What do I want my life to be like when I’m that age? This is just an alternative for people,” Bret says.
By blending personalized care, a warm setting and strong medical partnerships, Garden View Manor offers seniors and their families a compassionate option rooted in dignity, connection and peace of mind.
To learn more about life at Garden View Manor, visit gardenviewelkhorn.com or call Bret and Christi at (531) 999-2264.
“We try to build an environment that feels like family, where we can create a community amongst one another."