Whispering Willow Assisted Living and Memory Wing sits out on the edge of Fredericksburg, Iowa, surrounded by open fields and quiet country views, and the place really feels peaceful with its big-sky scenery and the sounds of birds most days if you're out on the porch or walking trail. The facility has two main sections-there are sixteen apartments in assisted living for folks needing some help with bathing, dressing, or just getting around, and then the Memory Wing, which is a separate, secure part of the building, has ten apartments for people living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, with alarms and a fenced courtyard for safety. Each room has cable or satellite TV, air conditioning, private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and plenty of light, and some are set up as studios or one-bedrooms while others are semi-private.
People who live here can bring a small dog or cat, though the staff helps keep an eye out when needed, and guests can come for meals or even stay overnight with permission. Meals are cooked in a full-size kitchen, and everyone sits down three times a day in the dining room if they wish-they can also choose room service or special meals if someone needs a kosher diet or diabetic friendly food, and there are snacks on hand, too. There are nurses and aides in the building 24 hours a day, and caregivers check on folks, deliver medicine, help with toileting or reminders, and do a fair job keeping up with laundry, cleaning, and the daily routines. Residents in the Memory Wing wear bracelets that set off an alarm if someone gets too close to an exit, and the staff know how to help with confusion, wandering, or difficult behaviors, even for people who get upset sometimes.
For things to do, there are always games, story time, or some activity in the rec room, plus they've got a library, TV lounges, arts and crafts, and space for music since some folks enjoy getting together to make music on the piano or organ. There's a fitness room that goes along with the Live2BHealthy program, which helps keep people moving and working on their balance, and there are outdoor patios and a safe, enclosed garden in the Memory Wing where the plants are nice and the space is quiet for walks or visiting. Staff also put on devotionals and educational talks for anyone interested, and the community's got transportation at cost for trips to the store or doctor visits. The grounds are secured and allow for safe outdoor time, and people who smoke need to do so outside.
Most of the apartments have ground-floor access, wheelchair accessible showers, and personal refrigerators, and the building offers fast WiFi, heat, air, electricity, and cable-so nobody's short on comforts. Residents pay an entry fee and monthly rent, with options for private pay, social security, or veterans' benefits. There's parking for both guests and residents, and everyone has access to offered services like a beauty salon with a barber, housekeeping, linen service, and scheduled visits from physical, occupational, and speech therapists or podiatrists.
The staff are well-trained in assisting people at different care levels, including help for diabetics and people with mobility problems, and most residents fall in the light or medium care range. Hospice and respite care are also provided, so someone can stay a few days or weeks if a caregiver needs a break, and the nurses work with outside doctors when needed. Whispering Willow accepts adults aged 18 and up, though most people are older. The place is licensed by the state, has on-site security systems, and supports anyone who wants to keep as much independence as possible while still having support nearby. People here have space for privacy, friendly neighbors when they want company, and pretty good staff for a rural Iowa setting, which helps make life a little easier each day.
