Local Personalities and Everyday Kindness Makes Traditions at Deerfield Feel Like Home

When Flo celebrated her 101^st birthday with us, more than 100 friends, family members, residents and caregivers joined in. There was food from Chef John and his staff, decorations from Angie the Activities Director and her staff, dancing, and Lucy sang ‘Happy Birthday’ with the voice of an angel. Lucy happens to be blind, but that doesn’t stop her from sharing her talent and making others smile. Flo’s children, JoAnn and Rick, wrote afterward to tell us “The atmosphere at Traditions of Deerfield is like nothing we have seen at other senior living communities. The residents all deeply care for one another and formed true friendships. The staff, including the nurses, aides, kitchen staff, office personnel, receptionists, housekeeping staff and activities folks all demonstrate genuine caring for all the residents. We are so pleased our Mom is getting such great care. It was heartwarming to see so many of her new Traditions friends in attendance helping her celebrate.” We’ve hosted Santa, local cheerleaders, children and grandchildren with omelet and waffle stations, game night, musical entertainment, dinner and dancing. And as for Flo, she loves her German Heritage club and attends activities to inquire about how everyone else is doing. Traditions of Deerfield is a home we are invited to share with our residents each day, and our people bring our best when we come. People like Mary, our Dining Room Supervisor who welcomes everyone for wonderful meals and treats, including families who happen to be touring our community. Then there’s Ruby, a caregiver who has been with us since opening, who has what can only be considered an in-house fan club (‘We love Ruby and she really knows what she’s doing!’). Debbie is often the first person people meet at Deerfield, and she welcomes and represents with a kind and caring heart,  before, during and after our residents move in. Don’t forget Darrell—and no one could—he’s our beloved maintenance man who keeps everyone laughing. You’d never know Darrell drives over an hour to work each day, because the important thing is he’s here and he’s the helping hand and friendly smile we have all come to count on. Darrell has been with us since the day we opened. And Angela, our housekeeper, whom everyone loves. She knows how important her job is in making everyone feel cozy and at home. Our surroundings have the power to change the way we feel, and she makes sure to treat our spaces and belongings with respect and loving care. We happen to be in a great location, close to shopping, restaurants and Bethesda North Hospital. We have people who’ve come from Mason, Loveland, Lebanon, Morrow and Montgomery, and we’ve still managed to keep our small town feel. But it’s the important over necessary things that make our community feel like home to our residents, families and care team. The small kindness of sitting with someone who is lonely, taking note of personal preferences, even a family who gifted everyone a blanket at Christmas when they had lost their loved one. It’s attending an in-community Catholic or Protestant service from Saint Margaret of York, together with a friend. Or joining others for our devotional group, led by fellow resident, Susan. We act as each other’s memory and support each other with mind-healthy meals and activities as part of our Varietas Memory Care program. We share hugs, concern, laughs and encouragement because it comes naturally. “This is not like coming to work each day, we are coming to see our friends,” adds Andrea, our Executive Director. We want you to know you are welcome at Traditions of Deerfield anytime and we hope you’ll join us for a meal, activity or tour. Please call us at (513) 583-5170 or visit www.TraditionsofDeerfield.com to find out more or to find the answers you’re looking for. We would love to meet you.

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