Veranda Senior Living, located at 551 S Holland Street in Wichita, Kansas, provided a variety of care options for seniors aged 55 and older, and while some folks may remember the building near Chaucer Estates, sadly, the community is now permanently closed, though it was known for both its assisted living services and its memory care for people with Alzheimer's or dementia, and they had staff around the clock-including nurses-to help with everything from medication reminders to help getting from a bed to a wheelchair, plus the place had homelike small suites with private bathrooms set up for safety, and when residents needed meals three times a day that worked for their diets, diabetic help, and help with daily tasks like bathing or dressing, Veranda offered support, and families could pick from studios, semi-private or one-bedroom units, though there was a community and buy-in fee, and even a second person fee if two people shared.
The indoor common spaces were used for organized activities, simple exercise, or just conversations among friends, and the library and computer lab gave people reasons to stay connected or find a new book, and weekly housekeeping and laundry service helped keep things tidy for everyone, while devotional activities took place both on and off site-since some folks wanted spiritual comfort or just a change of scenery, and when the weather was nice the courtyards, ponds, and walking paths let residents get outside with ease, or see visiting family in a peaceful spot, remembering always that the Veranda staff could speak Arabic and handle situations where someone was agitated, which reassured a lot of worried families. The location, handy to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and places to worship, allowed quick access to whatever was needed for health or comfort, and when a resident required insulin for diabetes, the staff were able to either help with injections or support people managing their own medicine.
People living at Veranda received social support-everything from games and crafts to group discussions, depending on what each person preferred or needed to stay alert and active, and folks could even bring their pets along for company, which made it feel more like home, seeing as they'd also included pet-friendly options and rooms designed for wheelchair or walker use, all connected by Wi-Fi throughout so staying in touch with family wasn't hard. Care was available for folks who just needed a little help to those requiring high levels of support, including non-ambulatory and incontinence care, and there was always someone on staff to call a doctor if anything happened suddenly, which gave peace of mind to residents and families alike. Veranda accepted private pay, social security, veteran's benefits, and private insurance, which helped more families plan for costs.
Though facilities like Veranda Senior Living don't stay open forever, many in Wichita and the surrounding neighborhoods remembered its efforts to build a comfortable and secure atmosphere, with social activities, nutritious meals, and special attention for memory care needs. Seven photos of the facility are still available on Mirador for those who want to look back at what the place offered, with its focus on clear community information and a commitment to answering questions during hard decisions about senior care.
