Recent events in both my personal life and in the life of friends have made me reflect on what it is about Kendal that makes me so thankful I live here. As I have thought about it I have concluded that one of the chief reasons is the feeling of security I have here. I've come to see that it is a security that comes not from one but from several facets of life at Kendal. A friend wrote today that he and his wife were faced with unexpected changes in the way charges were being made where they live. They are not sure that they can manage them and will have to move out. I thought to myself, "Thank goodness, I'm at Kendal where we are assured that we will be cared for until life ends." I also thought of the transparent manner which keeps us attuned to how Kendal manages financial affairs especially efforts to keep costs down.
Then I thought about a brief discussion with the family of someone in another apartment who just recently moved to assisted living. I had become aware that she has been struggling more and more with more and more aspects of life. I saw her walking endlessly in the hall no longer able to find meaningful ways to spend her time. I knew that once she made the move that someone there would make sure she got to meals on time regularly as well as help her with activities especially planned for those living in assisted living. From observing what had happened when another friend had made the same transition I knew she would be more secure in that setting. I also know that if the time comes that I need it, it will be there for me.
There are lots of other things that contribute to my feeling of security. If I need help opening one of those medication containers which are supposed to keep children out, but seem to me to be devised to keep seniors out as well, I can ask for help from anyone on the staff. I know that if I need help in a hurry I can pull the call button in my apartment and someone will respond to my call as they did the night my blood sugar dropped to a dangerous low of 50. If one of our drivers takes us to a medical appointment we will have a steady hand to assist us should we need help with a walker or a wheelchair. Someone makes rounds throughout the apartment building and the village at night checking on all sorts of safety issues such as lighting and locks. Our social worker warns us about scams that are particularly directed at oldsters. The list goes on and on - lots of big and little things here make me feel secure so that I can live without fear. That's a lot to be thankful for each day.
