A special Valentine’s Tea last week made the folks at Monte Vista Village proud of where they live. It also made a big impression on the guests and friends of Monte Vista.
The event had everything a tea-lover could want, from chocolate-dipped strawberries to finger sandwiches with the crusts cut off to lemon curd and scones. Rose centerpieces and dainty teacups and plates festooned every table.
A special Valentine’s Tea last week made the folks at Monte Vista Village proud of where they live. It also made a big impression on the guests and friends of Monte Vista.
The event had everything a tea-lover could want, from chocolate-dipped strawberries to finger sandwiches with the crusts cut off to lemon curd and scones. Rose centerpieces and dainty teacups and plates festooned every table.
Tracy Walter, marketing director, said the tea is always a big party for everyone. “We had help from our residents and staff to put this together,” she said.
The Dowdy sisters came all decked-out. None of the sisters live at Monte Vista Village, but it has become a tradition for them to come to the Valentine Tea. We find the invitation to the tea in the Union-Tribune,” said Diana Dowdy.
Her sister Helen said that it was the third year in a row they have attended.
“It’s a great event, and I like it that we are able to dress up,” she said. “I like the cucumber sandwiches,” piped in Jacquie Dowdy, the eldest of the three sisters.
Nancy Cluba, also dressed to the nines in a pink and black feather boa, is a resident of Monte Vista. Adrian Guillen, a staff member at Monte Vista, poured hot water for her tea.
“Today is beautiful,” Cluba said. “They always do such a wonderful thing.”
The tea was just one way that the village community opens their doors to the larger community. Throughout the year, they also have financial planning seminars, Tai Chi demonstrations and heart-healthy programs.
“Many people have a perception that our community will look like an old folks home or a skilled nursing facility and they are pleasantly surprised when they see a lovely apartment style community, said Darryn Robinson, community outreach coordinator.
Spread out over nearly eight acres of landscaped gardens, Monte Vista features all single-story buildings and many flat walking paths within the landscaping. Currently, lots of exciting new renovations are being made in the apartments.
While most retirement communities offer a flat rate for residents based on their need for assisted living and memory care, Monte Vista offers an unbundled plan so that they can customize a package meting the specific service and budgetary needs of the resident.
“We do an individualized assessment and create a custom plan for each new resident –no other community does this,” Robinson said.
What makes the residents particularly happy at Monte Vista is a focus on the well-rounded person. “Our focus is on healthy lifestyles and socialization. All our residents have the option to participate, free of charge, in our signature Keep the Beat and Fit to be Strong programs,” said Robinson.
Robinson explained that Keep the Beat is a preventive heart-healthy program that includes healthy meal choices, education, exercise and dietary counseling. Fit to be Strong is a progressive strength-training program that increases a resident’s functional fitness—their ability to perform daily tasks independently.
Keep the Beat is a preventative heart-healthy program that includes healthy meal choices, education, exercise and dietary counseling. Fit to be Strong is a progressive strength-training program that increases a resident’s functional fitness—their ability to perform daily tasks independently.
“This is so important to maintaining and improving our residents’ well-being and quality of life that it is available for free to all of our residents, with doctor’s permission,” Robinson said.
The studios at Monte Vista Village start as low as $1,300 a month with customized options for residents. Transportation services, a life enrichment program and at least one meal daily for the residents are included in the basic package.
“Our rates are what attracts people here. That and that we have open space all around instead of all indoor hallways,” Robinson said.
Kristine Meling, who attended the tea with Cluba, her mother, said the staff works with her mother in assessing and fulfilling her needs.
“They are very nice and attentive,” said Meling.
Argia Bonapace, who was another visitor enjoying the tea, used to work at Monte Vista Village as the first RN hired in 1963 when it first opened.
“We had just 12 to 15 residents back then. They always have had the best quality of care here, with the patient coming first before all,” she said.
Opening events like the Valentine Tea to the public allows the larger community to explore all that Monte Vista has to offer, especially the residents, Robinson explained.
“We are most proud of our annual Christmas party for the military where we raise $10,000 every year to provide dinner, a visit from Santa and a gift card for more than 400 enlisted military and their families,” she said.
For more information about Monte Vista Village and to schedule a tour, call (619)-465-1331.
