Shepherd Premier Senior Living

Shepherd Premier Senior Living has several locations including one in Dixon at 503 Countryside Lane and in Sterling at 2201 E Le Fevre Rd, where the homes are nestled in quiet neighborhoods and surrounded by gardens or scenic spots along the Rock River, so folks see nice views and even get to visit nearby parks when they want a little fresh air, and you'll find that each facility sticks with a smaller, boutique style which means the homes feel cozy and welcoming and there's a better staff-to-resident ratio, usually just 12 to 30 beds, so staff can be more available and residents can get help quicker. Residents can choose from different floor plans for private or semi-private rooms, and there's modern common areas for relaxing or chatting with neighbors, ADA accessible bathrooms for safety, and pet-friendly policies if a resident has a companion animal. Memory care is set up with secure wings so people with Alzheimer's or dementia stay safe, with staff keeping doors monitored and 24/7 video surveillance all around to help prevent wandering, and for anyone needing more medical attention, there's skilled nursing and rehab services with nurses or aides on hand every day. Folks living here can count on help with things like bathing, getting dressed, taking their medicine, and housekeeping, which gets done once a week, and for laundry, there's fresh linens and clean clothes. Meals are made on-site each day by chefs and planned by nutrition staff to suit older adults' needs, served three times a day family style, and guests can share a meal if families drop by. There are activities for everyone, with art classes, music therapy, outings, and a full-time activity director who organizes programs for assisted living and specialized memory care residents, so there's always something to do and folks aren't bored. There's Wi-Fi, cable TV, high-speed internet, and transportation both for outings and regular appointments. The memory care areas are set up for safety and to make sure everyone feels comfortable, and rooms are designed so people with memory issues don't feel confused. Shepherd Premier Senior Living has always been family owned and operated since 2014, and the people working there, especially nurse aides in the memory care wing, get nice reviews for being attentive and compassionate, since they know each person well and can help with what they need. Residents can get respite care if families need a break, and there's even short-term stays when primary caregivers have to be away. The homes, including the location formerly called Avonlea Cottage, stay up to date with licensing and reviews twice a year, and the care team does a personalized assessment for each new resident to see what level of care fits best. There's an enclosed courtyard for safe outdoor time, a beauty salon so residents can look nice, and everything is set up to keep life as comfortable and pleasant as possible-no frills, just honest care, a friendly staff, and a real focus on keeping folks' dignity and independence while making sure help is always nearby.