Aldersgate sits in Meridian for folks aged 62 and older who want a caring, Christian-based home with some of the best neighbors in town, and people often say the place feels like "the next best thing to home." The staff takes care of residents with a focus on Christian love and safety, which means help's always around if it's needed, whether it's bathing, grooming, or just making sure medication happens on time. The campus has independent living apartments, assisted living called the Dogwood neighborhood, and two- or three-bedroom cottages that let people live maintenance-free and still get support if they want it. There's also a special area called Aldersgate Personal Care, along with programs designed for memory care, such as help for folks living with dementia or Alzheimer's, and the units and staff are set up to reduce confusion and wandering, which brings peace of mind for families.
The facility's licensed for 58 residents and includes studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments all in a circle around a landscaped gazebo and walking garden, and almost everybody gets to see something green right out the window. The cottages are duplex-style, pet-friendly for cats and dogs if they meet some simple rules, have washers and dryers, and let couples or friends rent guest rooms for visitors. Meals get served daily, focusing on good taste and meeting special health needs like low salt for blood pressure or diabetes diets, and there's a nurse practitioner who stops by every week along with help from Vertis Therapy if someone needs more care or therapy. Residents use a basic cable package, Wi-Fi, and an emergency call system, and the facility has regular transportation to doctors, shopping, or church.
Activities happen every day, both on and off-site, and the calendar usually includes movie nights, regular exercise, art and music plans, animal therapy, social events, and reading or mentoring programs, sometimes done with local schools using FaceTime. Volunteers put in more than 1,500 hours last year, which says a lot about how welcoming the place is. Aldersgate works closely with local groups like the Rotary Club and is a member of EMBDC to keep those community connections strong, and the staff chaplain offers worship services and Bible study once a week for those who want it.
Memory care residents live in safe, specialized apartments with staff trained for their needs, and the community covers other needs such as incontinence care, diabetic care, and support for folks who need insulin shots or two people to help them move. Caregivers help with personal tasks like dressing and toileting, and the staff can provide home care visits for non-medical help and companionship in someone's own home if needed. There's help for adults with mental health needs, including counseling, adult day care, behavioral support, and even job help programs for folks needing transition.
Aldersgate serves one meal a day six days a week, with the option for more, and offers both routine and fee-based services like a beauty salon and extra therapy services. There's a reading room, a game area, jacuzzi, sauna, and outdoor patio spots to sit and chat with neighbors or family. The cottages and apartments offer a maintenance-free lifestyle, with on-call staff and regular groundskeeping. Income-based assistance helps make some apartments more affordable for folks on fixed incomes, and there's always something happening in the life-enrichment programs, with outings and special gatherings. Aldersgate has a friendly, faith-based approach, focusing on real comfort, health needs, and future plans for growth with a new chapel and even a greenhouse on the horizon. The community aims to give older adults a neighborly, safe, and comfortable retirement in Meridian, backed by Methodist Senior Services' mission of service.
