LEWIS and CLARK GARDENS

Lewis and Clark Gardens sits in St. Charles, MO, providing long-term care under physician supervision with a focus on residents' wellbeing, aiming for their best physical, mental, and social health, and folks can see the place for themselves through a tour or a virtual tour if getting there's tough. The staff holds daily meetings to keep service up to good standards, and there's always someone available day or night to hear any care concerns or suggestions, so loved ones don't need to worry about getting in touch. Residents can choose private furnished rooms or shared apartments, with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, air conditioning, cable, Wi-Fi, phones, and all utilities included, and the place's set up for safety and easy movement, which families seem to appreciate, especially those with family needing memory care or non-ambulatory support. Meals happen in a restaurant-style dining room and are made by a professional chef with choices for those needing special diets like for diabetes, and there's a strong effort to honor what people want to eat and when, which helps those who enjoy some independence or just miss certain foods from home. People have their pick of amenities - pretty gardens, a fenced courtyard, an aviary with birds to watch, an ice cream parlor for a sweet treat, a professional barber and beauty shop, a small library, game and arts rooms, a fitness center, a massage and wellness room, and even a movie theater, while outside there are walking paths and space for group or quiet time. Lewis and Clark Gardens takes Medicare and Medicaid and offers a range of options, like independent living for active folks, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care for dementia, respite care, as well as support with daily activities from bathing and dressing to transfers and medication management, plus they've got a friendly staff around 24/7, and an on-call RN for health checks and ongoing monitoring. They do their best to build a warm and welcoming atmosphere that brings people together from backgrounds that are mostly white but also include African American, Asian, and Hispanic residents, with scheduled group activities, outings, and opportunities for both social time and private family meetings, which are helped along by programs in both the community and resident-run clubs or groups. There's a call system in every room, massages, snacks between meals, housekeeping, laundry, moving help, and transportation for errands or doctor visits; plus, the community is set up to welcome pets and help with home care for those who need non-medical support right at home. The location's near medical offices, St. Joseph's Hospital, Walgreens pharmacy, and the Walsh Martin SSM Health Outpatient Center, making it easier for doctor visits and picking up medicine. The place gets around 3.4 stars on reviews, and while it isn't fancy in every way, folks say the staff is helpful, joyful, and kind, and there's always someone to talk to if something comes up, and the small extras - like the gardens and birds - do seem to make a difference to daily life.