Aging Well: A Senior Citizen’s Resource Guide

The golden years are meant to be filled with meaningful shared experiences with family and friends, but in the chaotic times that we currently find ourselves, it takes a fair amount of extra effort to make sure the mind stays sharp and the body keeps active. That’s why we have compiled a helpful roadmap to local resources for senior citizens in and around Peachtree Corners, ranging from thriving residential communities to senior centers and at-home care.

This guide mentions many services typically offered, but for the most up-to-date information, please contact the businesses directly.

Residential Facilities

Village Park Peachtree Corners

Make your home just around the corner. Village Park Peachtree Corners provides all of the comforts and services of premier senior living within minutes of The Forum and other local shopping, dining and entertainment favorites. Choose between many living styles, from independent or assisted living to memory care — or in one of the luxury bungalows and cottages.

“Cottages and bungalows offer the same designer finishes, 10-foot ceilings, patios, natural stone countertops, full kitchens, gas fireplaces and washers and dryers; however, bungalows are stand-alone homes that include garages, while cottages are garden-style homes with designated parking spaces and closer proximity to the main building,” explained Kari Samuelson, COO of Galerie Living (Village Park Senior Livings’ Parent Company).

Cottages residents receive two meals a day and weekly housekeeping, included in their fees, while bungalows have customizable dining and housekeeping options. All residents have access to the amenities, including a heated pool, fitness center, full-service salon, courtyards, library, theater, club rooms, coffee bar and full-service restaurant.

More than simply focusing on the comfort and happiness of the residents, Village Park has made it a top priority to keep residents healthy during these tumultuous times.

“Village Park is grateful to be one of Georgia’s first senior living communities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with over 95% of residents vaccinated for COVID-19 in December 2020,” Samuelson said. “We are continuing to follow the safety guidelines provided by the CDC and are looking forward to the new possibilities the vaccine brings to our communities.”

For more about Village Park Peachtree Corners, visit villageparkpeachtreecorners.com or call 770-416-0502.

The Mansions at Sandy Springs

For a comfortable place to call home in Peachtree Corners, The Mansions of Sandy Springs is an excellent option. In addition to the standard features that one would find in most reputable establishments, Mansions has a few standout luxuries, such as a washer and dryer in every unit, as well as a balcony or patio for all units. Pet lovers who can’t bear to part with Fido appreciate that small pets are allowed for a nominal one-time fee. But as nice as the personal utilities are, the communal benefits are equally so.

The dedicated activities director makes sure to keep residents entertained, currently bringing in entertainers and performers once a week on Fridays, along with planning in-house activities and off-site outings. (Of course, outside trips are put on hold until it is safe to resume them.)

Some highlights of the Friday Follies include guitarists, pianists and soloists. Mansions also often hosts special speakers, some of whom are residents or from local organizations. One notable resident has given several talks on behalf of the Sons of the American Revolution, for example.

Besides providing entertainment, Mansions has gone the extra mile — or hallway — to continue connecting with their seniors, holding exercise classes in the hallway for safe social distance and delivering daily surprise goodies to raise spirits during times of isolation. Fortunately, residents are now able to move around more freely than they were in months prior, but it’s nice to see how the community has banded together.

When asked about how to stay healthy and happy during these times, Director Debbie Brennan had this advice: “Stay mentally healthy, stay social. If you can go outside and take a walk, that’s a great thing.”

Brennan is especially excited about the new walking trail that recently opened in Crooked Creek Park, which Mansions sometimes takes residents to walk along if they are physically able.

For more about life at the Mansions of Sandy Springs, visit mansionsseniorliving.com, then select the Sandy Springs community for contact information.

Vineyard Johns Creek

This brand-new assisted living and memory care facility is slated to open July 2021, pending occupancy approval. Currently, interested persons can schedule a private tour. Sales Director Jennifer Farine expanded on pioneering approaches that they plan to implement at Vineyard Johns Creek.

For instance, the dining room will be open for residents from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day for their meals, instead of only at designated eating times, allowing for more independence and freedom of choice. In-room concierge style dining service is also offered, as well as an open community kitchen. Other amenities include a RENEW Salon and Spa, movie theatre, library, gym and more.

In light of recent health concerns, a telehealth room will be in place to allow for safe medical consultation, in addition to traditional medical care monitoring. Farine even mentioned the use of Amazon Echo smart speakers in resident rooms for entertainment as well as communicating with staff. Talk about utilizing technology to create a brighter tomorrow for our seniors today!

For more about Vineyard Johns Creek, go to vineyardjohnscreek.com or call 470-329-7688.

Parc at Duluth

Over the past 18 years, Parc at Duluth has provided an attentive independent and assisted living community, with 135 apartments for independent residents and 35 assisted living units.

For residents with an interest in superb cuisine, this is the place to be, offering a full-service white tablecloth dining experience. Other notable features include weekly housekeeping and linen cleaning and 24/7 concierge service. A licensed personal trainer leads exercise classes, and a personal training experience is included in residential costs. Seniors can relax by the pool with a fun beach read or join in water aerobics.

Resident participation numbers in scheduled activities have been limited due to health concerns and to allow for social distancing. Visitors are currently allowed for independent residents, with prior reservation to avoid too many outside people in the building at one time.

Additional support from the local community has been a welcome source of comfort as well. Towards the beginning of shutdown, the National Guard came in several times to assist in a deep clean of common areas. Schools in the area also want to make sure that residents know that the community cares.

“Notre Dame Academy has been a great support, providing residents with cards and entertainment in our courtyard,” said Suzanne Nicol, Director of Sales and Marketing. “It has been a really great relationship here in the community.”

In warm months, the staff held outdoor events as much as possible, and as the weather cooled, they got creative finding space to allow for safe enrichment, such as hallway bingo and other unique modifications. (Restrictions have since relaxed to allow for more traditional interactions.)

In May 2020 during Mother’s Day Weekend, Parc at Duluth held a Drive Through Car Parade with over 100 families smiling and cheering as they drove around the perimeter of the complex.

“The biggest thing for seniors right now is to find a way for some type of safe social interaction, which is one of the most important things for our residents, being socially engaged instead of stagnant,” Nicol said.

For more information on Parc at Duluth, visit parcatduluth.com or call 770-622-6880.

At Home Care

A Hand to Hold

With its main office located at 3459 Holcomb Bridge Road in Peachtree Corners, A Hand to Hold is a leading provider of professional, reputable at-home care with dedicated A Hand to Hold Care managers.

The caregivers are experts in geriatric care with specialties in nursing, mental health and social work. The company carefully selects employees who are fully insured, drug tested and come with worker’s compensation coverage.

For more information, visit ahandtohold.com or call 770-992-5820.

Home Care Matters

Searching for compassionate live in and hourly caregivers? Over the years, Home Care Matters has won several awards from trusted organizations for their quality service, including SeniorAdvisor.com, Caring.com and Best of Home Care. Home Care Matters is family owned and operated, licensed, bonded and fully insured.

They offer a range of services for varied needs, from companionship and personal care to individualized independent living plans based on medical needs. 24-hour on call service is available for their clientele. To learn more, visit homematters.com or call 678-828-2195.

Senior Centers

First Senior Center

First Senior Center is located in Norcross, and just so happens to be the first senior daycare in Georgia that is Vietnamese owned and operated. It boasts a diverse community of senior citizens from all walks of life, with staff catering to seniors who speak numerous different languages. Their clients consist mainly of Southeast Asians from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Korean, Thailand, Burma and China, according to Founder Von Tran.

“First Senior Center supports the health, nutritional, social and daily living needs of older adults, so they can continue to live safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible,” Tran said.

The center takes a personalized approach to keep the people it serves healthy and happy. “Our Adult Day Health program is unique in that we employ individual-directed programming that provides our members with activities tailored to their specific needs and interests,” Tran said. “Our Day Program is filled with activities and occasional outings, moderate exercise and programs throughout every day.”

As of January 1, the center resumed its normal activities while adapting to current needs, including offering telehealth through Zoom. Nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks are provided with dietary restrictions noted and planned for.

The center also made sure that clients had delicious meals throughout the shutdown, delivering 34,000 lunches and over 94,000 pounds of groceries over the last nine months in fresh and storable food, according to Tran. Partnerships with non-profits like Atlanta Community Food Bank helped bridge the food security gap. Going the extra mile for our elderly is always in style.

To see if you or a loved one could benefit from First Senior Center, visit firstseniorcenter.com or call 470- 289-2222. Additionally, the center is seeking community support to meet senior needs, so please reach out with potential assistance ideas.

Norcross Senior Center

The Norcross Senior Center is one of many services offered to Gwinnett County seniors age 60 and over by Gwinnett County Senior Services. For the safety of their clients, all operations and programs have been suspended at the center, and other Gwinnett County centers, with hopes of reopening once it is safe to do so.

During normal operating times, seniors receive services and participate in activities that support their independence, enhance their dignity and quality of life, meet their diverse needs and interests, reflect their experience and skills, and encourage community involvement and socialization.

Services may include transportation to and from the center, breakfast and lunch, and individual counseling. Activities may include educational and fitness classes, arts and crafts, recreational interests, volunteering, day trips, basic haircutting and more. Some activities and day trips may require minimal fees.

Seniors must apply to become a participant at the center. For more information, including how to apply and application requirements, visit the Senior Services page at gwinnettcounty.com.