The Cove at Tavares Village

Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Independent Senior Living in Tavares, Fl

admin

The Marketing and Admissions Office of The Cove at Tavares Village

By

Happy Senior Couple in Park

Assisted Living and Memory Care Admissions

Marketing in Senior Living takes experience, dedication, and a love for our wonderful senior population to walk with families on what can be an emotional journey. The process of placing a loved one in a safe, caring environment can be unfamiliar and overwhelming. There are not many books written on the subject, and if there were, who has time to read when the urge strikes. Having a liaison to help decipher the State required forms, the Medicaid Long Term Care process, VA connections, and many others scenarios that may come up is vital.

Independent Living Admissions

Many seniors choose to scale down and simplify their lives while they are spry and fit. They often realize, by watching friends, that it may be wise to stop cleaning gutters and climbing the attic stairs at a certain age. Downsizing does not mean giving up places or things. It can simply mean letting go of unnecessary stress and clutter that weigh you down. Knowing your options can make the decision less daunting and possibly exciting. Begin online searches for communities nearby. Keeping familiarities such as doctors, pharmacies, and houses of worship can relieve some of the anxiety. Talk the move over with friends and family who support your decision and will help in the process. You may soon find yourself looking forward to the next chapter.

We have cataloged some of the great questions that come up during tours of our Villas at The Cove, but a familiar favorite is “what am I going to do if I don’t have to cut the grass? Or paint the trim? Or pressure wash the drive?” It is often the wife or the kids who will reply, “live longer? And healthier!” Swimming, exercise classes, Cooking in the Clubhouse, Euchre, Wii Bowling are just a few things you can add to your new “To Do” list at The Cove.

A good facility will take care of your loved ones. A great facility will do that AND be part of your family.

Marketing, Move-In Coordinator, Admissions, the position comes under many titles, but the mission is the same. Walking families through the process of placing loved ones with medical needs, establishing new social environments, downsizing from a large home, or starting a new Wii Bowling group, we’ve got your back. If, in the process, you make new friends, it’s a plus.

For questions about Admissions, Assisted Living, Memory Care, or Independent Senior Living, please contact us using the form on our Contact Us page, or give us a call at (352) 742-7111

We’re Here to Help Our Residents!

By

Caring for a Senior Holding Their Hand

How the Busines Office at The Cove Serves Our Independent and Assisted Living Residents

The business office here at The Cove is happy to serve our residents and family members with their transition to our assisted living and independent living community. We take pride in making sure our residents are very well cared for in all aspects of the spectrum to the best of our ability. We are one big family here at The Cove.

We are located in Tavares, Florida, and our Business Office of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

The business office manager supports company operations by maintaining office systems. Also, maintains office services by organizing office operations and procedures, preparing payroll, controlling correspondence, maintaining filing systems, and reviewing supply requisitions. In addition, the business office manager frequently communicates with residents and family members regarding residents’ accounts as needed. Furthermore, the business office manager ensures all vendors are paid efficiently and accurately through accounts payable.

In the Assisted Living Facility, we allow residents to open a resident trust account to withdraw money as they need it for extra expenditures. The resident trust account limit is 500.00. Furthermore, we provide the resident and family member with a quarterly account statement reflecting recent account history on the trust account. We thank our residents and family members for giving us the opportunity to care for their loved ones.

If you have questions about insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Assisted / Independent Living information for Florida, or need a review of a financial situation, please contact us today and we will be there to help!

Welcome Link Therapy Team!

By

Link Therapy Services Team Introduction at The Cove

We would like to welcome Link Home Therapy to The Cove! Last week, we held a meet and greet with their team who will be providing Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy services, and more in our community! 

About the Link Therapy Team

Hello from the Link Therapy Team!  We are so excited to be joining the Cove Community and providing skilled rehab such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy with a doctor’s order in your home or at our new clinic located at the Fitness Center.  We accept Medicare and other Insurances.  We will also be offering free community health, wellness, and exercise classes! We are getting the finishing touches done at our clinic, so stay tuned for contact information such as clinic phone numbers and business hours.  Also, please check the community July calendar for upcoming class schedules and look for Health and Wellness tips in upcoming newsletters.

Link Therapy Team: 

Elaine Hosford, PT

Vessie Hudak, PTA

Gerard Palmer, OT

Jennifer Trail, COTA

For more information on Link Therapy, please contact us today!

Another 100% Deficiency-Free Survey! – 6 Years And Counting

By

Another 100% Deficiency-Free State Survey by the Florida Agency of Healthcare Administration 2017 - 2021. Proven Excellence in Care

A Tavares Senior Living Facility scored among the top in the state with a “Deficiency Free” rating on their Third State Survey in a row.

The Cove at Tavares Village Senior Living has recently announced that they have scored their third consecutive 100% error-free rating on their State Biennial Survey conducted by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The Cove has provided Senior Living Care in Lake County for over 20 years and includes Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care options.

The State Biennial Survey conducted by AHCA thoroughly examines factors such as staffing, facility & housing conditions, health & safety, and quality of life for the residents. The surveyors arrive unannounced and spend a few days at the facility observing care, interviewing residents and their families, and making sure the facility complies with the rigorous standards set by the AHCA. According to Debbie Kenny, Marketing Director of The Cove, “Earning a 100% rating on the survey does not come lightly or easily. We are diligent in our efforts to comply with the standards set by AHCA and make sure checks and balances are conducted regularly.”

Earning a 100% rating on the survey does not come lightly or easily.

The staff at The Cove at Tavares Village were elated to receive their 3rd biennium State Survey. There was no doubt in the mind of Sheril Mitcham, a 23-year employee in the nursing department at The Cove. When asked about her feelings on their sixth consecutive year as a 100% Deficiency-Free facility, she says, “It was excellent news!” She feels that her entire team was a vital part of the successful survey results this year. “We are a family,” Sheril says. “And that is what I love about The Cove.”

We are a family, and that is what I love about The Cove!

The Cove attributes its success by giving each resident individualized care, focusing on physical, emotional, and social needs. Individualized care plans are communicated frequently to our residents and their friends and families. Ensuring peace of mind is essential. One thing that makes The Cove unique is that Independent, Assisted, and Memory Care Living environments are all included in one facility. Many seniors come to The Cove as independent living residents knowing they have options for higher care should their needs change.

When speaking with Jane Smedly, a 2 ½ year resident of The Cove, we discussed our most recent and 3rd Deficiency-Free Survey, and Jane was over the moon. Asking her how it feels to be in a facility with such a good track record, she said, “It means everything to me. I know I am being cared for, especially during COVID. I didn’t necessarily enjoy the lockdowns, but I know they followed the rules and got us through it as safely as possible. I would recommend The Cove to anyone who asks. If I weren’t satisfied, I would not be here. The staff couldn’t be nicer. I know I am in the right place.”

I know I am in the right place.

In addition to finding no deficiencies on the overall survey, the AHCA also found no deficiencies in a third consecutive COVID-19 Infection Control Survey completed over the past 12 months. The Cove has been hard at work implementing rigorous cleaning protocols and innovations such as hospital-grade UV-C lighting to kill 99.99% of pathogens, including human coronavirus.

The Staff at The Cove

Tommy Pridemore, Maintenance Director; Michael Besinger, Nursing; Paula George, Dietary; Jose Rojas, Nursing; Stacie Rojas, Nursing; Mirzza Rivera, Dietary; Leila Wagner, Dietary; Lisa Kimbrel, Dietary; Amy Lesner, Activities Director; Tracey Phillips, Nursing; Barbara Campbell, Administrative Assistant; Jessica Milligan, Business Manager; Susan McCurry, Activities coordinator; Sierra Langley, Nursing; Alyce Hartsock, Nursing; Debbie Kenny, Marketing Director; Shawn Schulze, Executive Director; Rick Calkins, Dietary Supervisor

About The Cove at Tavares Village

The Cove is a senior living facility offering Independent Senior Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, focusing on providing a comfortable, safe, and engaging experience for their residents. The Cove has been a part of the Tavares Community for over 20 years providing excellent service to seniors from across the country.

To learn more about our facility, schedule an appointment for a walkthrough and see The Cove for yourself!

Facility Care at The Cove

By

Facility Grounds Upkeep at the Cove at Tavares Village

Facility Care and Maintenance at The Cove

Our beautiful senior care facility is one of the many points of pride in Tavares, FL! Maintenance in The Cove has the highest priority for safety for residents, guests, and employees. As members of our family, we want to provide a welcoming and clean environment for our residents! This year, we have installed some new and exciting equipment to help our resident’s safety and the battle against COVID-19, including hospital-grade UV-C disinfection in our air conditioning. 

In maintenance, some tasks are:

  • Monitors and maintains Building Inspection Schedule that includes preventative maintenance program and all required system inspections.
  • Ensure all aspects of the facility are in a good state of repair, which means keeping up with our grounds and upkeep of the inside of our facility, including our groundskeeping, taking care of our floors, painting walls, and fixing things in disrepair. 
  • On-call 24 hours a day for emergency maintenance.
  • Ensure the highest quality of customer service is available for the residents.
  • Orders maintenance supplies and monitors inventory.

“I have found this company to be the most personally involved and caring with each and every resident and family. I look forward to being a member of this team for many years!”
Tommy Pridemore, Maintenance Manager

To view our beautiful facility, contact us today to set up an appointment! Looking for a career in maintenance at The Cove at Tavares Village? Visit our Careers page!

 

 

Rehabilitation Therapy at The Cove

By

Physical Therapist working senior patient

The Cove at Tavares Village, our primary focus is to provide a quality senior living experience for our Tavares, FL Assisted Living and Memory Care Community. Occasionally, our residents will have a need arise for therapy services. While we do not have a dedicated rehabilitation department, we offer rehab through many Home Health Agencies that the resident or family chooses. Home Health Agencies will come into the resident’s home here at The Cove.

Rehabilitation at The Cove offers the following services through Home Health Agencies:

  • Skilled Nursing Services: Our Skilled Nursing Services include wound management, diabetic teaching, medication information and teaching, and more.
  • Physical Therapy Services: Physical therapists evaluate and record a patient’s progress. Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They are often an essential part of preventative care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.
  • Occupational Therapy Services: Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
  • Speech-Language Therapy Services: Speech-language pathologists work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Our standard practice is to monitor each of our residents daily for any changes or needs. If we identify any rehabilitation needs on our daily checks, we will report to the resident’s doctor so they can write orders. The family is notified and will choose the Home Health Agency, the referral is sent to the agency, and rehabilitation start of care is carried out typically within 24 hours.

If you have questions about rehabilitation, options for Home Heath, or would like to speak to someone directly about your needs or the needs of a loved one, please contact us today for more information!

New UV-C Disinfection Technology

By

Powered by RZero Hospital Grade Disinfection and photo of rzero arc unit

In the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Assisted Living / Memory Care facilities across the country have been hard at work implementing innovative new ways to help keep their residents safer from infectious diseases. As part of bolstering their cleaning procedures and upgrading their facility to promote safety, The Cove at Tavares Village in Tavares, FL, has purchased a new Hospital Grade UV disinfection system from R-Zero.

UV-C is a special wavelength of ultraviolet light that destroys or inactivates bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold without harsh chemicals. UV-C disinfection has been used in waste processing facilities and air conditioner units for decades and has become the gold standard to disinfect hospitals in recent years. R-Zero is a biosafety company working to make the same UV-C disinfection technology used by hospitals, accessible to smaller healthcare units such as Skilled Nursing Facilities. The R-Zero Arc is a mobile hospital-grade UV unit that can be easily moved around the facility to kill airborne and surface pathogens. Arc is proven to destroy 99.99% of pathogens (including those that cause Human Coronavirus) in just 7 minutes.

The Cove at Tavares Village is proud to begin implementing this new advanced infection prevention measure in 2021 as part of many innovations to promote their long-term care residents’ health and safety.

For more information on R-Zero and their UV-C technology, please visit rzero.com.

Senior Living Activities

By

Senior Living Activities at The Cove

“Is there BINGO today?” 

“Can we go outside and enjoy some music?”

“When is it going to be Spa Time so I can get my nails done again and feel pretty?!”

These are some of the questions we get on a daily, if not hourly, basis.

When we talk about our facility activities, we mean having meaningful interactions with a resident(s) either one on one or in a group of up to ten. Residents are encouraged to participate in activities that promote and provide a better quality of life, such as spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional, educational, physical programs, and interests to that specific group or individual. We design our programs to keep the brain active and find one’s sense of purpose.

Assisted Living Activities

Assisted Living Residents activities keep the resident involved in the daytime with various programs such as Bingo, Table Bowling, Devotionals, Root Beer Floats, Incredible Trivia, and Dominos. Entertainment comes, and everyone gets to go out and sing along with their friends on the front patio!  

Memory Care Activities

Memory Care Activities are full of items that the resident would touch and feel, then discuss with the group. Residents enjoy playing games and having discussions. Playing bingo is one of the daily items they have requested to have as their group gets together to look for the number, socialize and win prizes! Their favorite activities are entertainment and dancing! We play different music at various times during the day. The residents really enjoy their meals with dinner music.

When music and entertainment happens for them, they go into dancing mode! When the staff puts on music, we will have a dance for the residents; it makes all of memory care such a happy place!   

Independent Living Activities

Independent Living Residents (IL) can come and go as they please and choose to participate in clubhouse activities, such as in a Wii bowling league organized by a group of residents. We also offer a schedule of exercise classes, cooking classes, shopping trips, and entertainment for these residents. 

Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Activities can change day to day sometimes with the COVID-19 pandemic. While safety is our #1 priority, we must also see each of our residents daily to help prevent social isolation. If the individual is in isolation, activities are brought in for them to do, such as puzzles, coloring, crafts, cards to send out or cards brought in from others, word search, books to read, and other items they may like. Contact is important. Nothing is too small for our staff, so we will stop by to read our residents a card out loud, or sometimes, their favorite poem. Smiles, laughter, hand motions, make it fun!  

All programs make an impact as well as the staff.

The most significant impact we can make is getting residents involved in the daily activities. It isn’t always about the number of activities going on but that the activities are positive and giving back a feeling of ownership to the residents receiving benefit from the program.  

If you would like to learn more about The Cove’s activities or schedule an appointment to learn more about our facility, please contact us today! We also occasionally post photos from recent activities and news about upcoming ones on our Facebook Page, so give us a like and follow us!

*Photos and activities described are used are for demonstration purposes only and may not represent our facilities compliance with CDC guidelines. For more information about our regulations during the COVID-19 Pandemic please contact our administrator, or visit our COVID-19 page.  

100% Deficiency Free Again!

By

A Tavares Senior Living Facility scored among the top in the state with a “Deficiency Free” rating on their second State Survey in a row.

Local Senior Living Facility Scores Second Consecutive Deficiency-Free Rating

100% Deficiency Free Again! Survey Rating by the State of Florida Agency for Healthcare AdministrationThe Cove at Tavares Village Senior Living has recently announced that they have scored their second consecutive 100% error free rating on their State Biennial Survey conducted by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The Cove has provided Senior Living Care in Lake County for over 20 years and includes options for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.

The State Biennial Survey conducted by AHCA thoroughly examines factors such as staffing, facility & housing conditions, health & safety, and quality of life for the residents. According to Debbie Kenny, Marketing Director of The Cove, “Earning a 100% rating on the survey does not come lightly or easily. We are diligent in our efforts to comply with the standards set by AHCA and make sure checks and balances are conducted regularly.”

“The team was really excited to hear about our awesome results. However, they were not surprised at the outcome. They know that when you go above and beyond every day the results show. We have staff that has been with The Cove for 20 plus years and they still shine every day. We couldn’t do it without them.” – Shawn Schulze, Executive Director

The Cove strives to give individualized care to each of their residents. Focusing on physical, emotional and social needs, a plan is put into place to ensure the quality of life for, not just residents, but families and friends who entrust them with their loved ones. Ensuring peace of mind is important. The facility is very unique in that they have Independent, Assisted and Memory Care Living environments in one facility. Many seniors come to The Cove as independent living residents knowing they have options for higher care should their needs change.

Always striving to improve, The Cove has focused on enhancing communication with their residents, families, and staff. While this is not a new philosophy for The Cove, the team credits their ability to be present and available as a core value. “Families and guests who visit always comment on our warm and friendly environment. We are very fortunate to have the perfect space for socialization and interaction between our residents and staff. The social and living areas, offices and residential spaces are well laid out and on one floor for easy access.” – Debbie Kenny, Marketing Director.

The Cove would like to credit their owners for giving them the flexibility to go above and beyond without limitations. “We are encouraged to think outside the box and to create an environment that feels like a home not only to our residents and families but also to our staff.  When you love where you work, it is reflected in your performance.” They would also like to recognize the awesome work of the dietary, nursing, housekeeping, activities and maintenance staff each and every day.

“When you love where you work, it is reflected in your performance.”

In 2019, The Cove looks forward to opening their brand new beautiful Independent Living Villas. They have had a huge demand for their peaceful, maintenance free community and the villas are NOW AVAILABLE. And always striving to be among the best Senior Living Facilities in the state and continuing their core family values by building relationships with residents and their loved ones.

About The Cove at Tavares Village

The Cove is a senior living facility offering Independent Senior Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care with a focus on providing a comfortable, safe and engaging experience for their residents. The Cove has been a part of the Tavares Community for over 20 years providing excellent service to seniors from across the country.

To learn more about our facility, schedule an appointment for a walkthrough and see The Cove for yourself! 

How to pick an assisted living facility

By

Assisted Living at The Cove at Tavares Village in Tavares, FLHow to pick an assisted living facility

Picking the right assisted living facility for a loved one can feel like a daunting task. What kind of things should I look for? Will my loved one be happy there? Will they be safe? Choosing the right facility simply boils down to:

  1. Examining the facility
  2. Examining the resident and their needs

The Assisted Living Facility

The first step to choosing the right facility is to determine how far and how often you and your family will be traveling to visit your loved one. The success of the transition will be smoother with frequent visits from kind faces so it is important to be realistic. The drive should be as easy on day 100 as it is on day one.

The next step is to choose a facility best suited to fit the needs of the loved one. Today there are more tools than ever to guide your decision. This can often be overwhelming so ask friends and family for recommendations. You may be surprised at how many friends have experienced the journey and are willing to share. Local caregiver meetings are a great source of knowledge and experience.  If your loved one is out of state, try and find a location that a close family member can visit from time to time, as well as a nearby lodging for you and family when traveling.

Next, you will want to contact the Assisted Living Facility and schedule a tour. Make sure to look at the cleanliness of the facility, meals, and activities offered. Ask the tour guide for a brochure, pricing list, copy of activities and dining calendar to help you make an informed decision when comparing to other facilities. Have lunch if possible. The quality of the food is extremely important.

Lastly, find out the qualifications and hours of the nursing and medical staff. This is also the point to examine the licensing qualifications for the facility. Do they have visiting physicians? If so how often? Are specialists available such as dermatologists, podiatrists or dentists? Do they allow Physical and Occupational Therapy to come into the facility? Do they offer transportation to physician visits and outings? Do they have staff available to answer questions or are they hidden away in offices? Once you make the choice of a facility you want to make sure questions and concerns can be addressed in a timely fashion.

The Assisted Living Resident

After visiting several facilities, it is then best to examine the needs of the new resident. Helpguide.org suggests first examining the financial, physical, spiritual and social needs of the resident. Now that you have acquired specific information concerning the facilities you can begin to prioritize what aspects matter most to the resident. Lastly, examine the current level of independence of the resident and what options the facility has to offer for the future such as memory and dementia care, ECC Licensing, etc.

There are plenty of resources on the internet for choosing a facility. Take a few moments to examine the articles linked below and you will be able to make a confident decision on finding the right assisted living facility for your loved one.

Resources:

More information on facility cleanliness, activities, friendliness, meals, security and safety:

http://www.aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/top-10-tips-for-visiting-communities

How to find a facility and what items to ask for (prices, brochures, activities guides).

http://www.aarp.org/relationships/caregiving-resource-center/info-09-2010/ho_assisted_living_weighing_the_options.html

Physical and medical needs, social needs, financial needs

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia-aging/senior-housing.htm

Article concerning picking the right location, evaluating services & levels of care, staff, maintenance, and housekeeping.

https://www.assistedlivingfacilities.org/resources/choosing-an-assisted-living-facility/

Tour- cleanliness, quality of food, posted activities, amenities, pleasant neighborhood, pet therapy,

https://www.caring.com/articles/assisted-living-facilities-choosing-the-right-one

An article providing more consideration on special needs such as memory and dementia care.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/choosing-a-residential-facility-for-a-loved-one-with-dementia-104570.htm

For more information about the Cove’s Assisted Living Facility, schedule a tour with us today!