Lake James Lodge

Lake James Lodge sits at 63 Lakeview Dr N RR 6 Box 850 in Marion, NC, right in the mountains and close to the Marion Moose Family Center #1705, and you'll find it's a place where people 55 and older can get assisted living, independent living, hospice care, memory care, nursing home services, and continuing care all in one spot, so you don't have to move if your needs change over time. They do what a lot of folks need, with staff available 24 hours a day and awake, offering help with daily tasks, meals, hygiene, and even standby assistance for getting in and out of bed or wheelchairs, and if you need respite care or hospice support, they've got it. You don't have to worry about housekeeping, laundry (even dry cleaning), or moving in, either, because they cover those, and families can count on support, too. Meals are included and prepared by a professional chef, and there's a big community dining room with restaurant-style service, so even if you have allergies or diabetes, you can ask for a special diet. There's plenty to do, with activity rooms, outdoor programs, movie nights in a real little theater, music, a library, arts room, and fitness area, and they've even got scheduled daily activities and community events you can join or just relax in the game room, spa/wellness room, or barber/salon. Rooms come furnished with private bathrooms, cable TV, kitchenettes, phones, and Wi-Fi, plus air conditioning to help keep things comfortable, and if you smoke, you can do it in your private indoor area, which isn't very common in every place. Seniors can take advantage of transportation and parking services, whether it's to get to appointments or go on an outing, and there's a responsive call system for emergencies. For medical needs, residents get 12-16 hours of nursing care, help with medications, and blood sugar checks; though if you're diabetic, you'll need to manage your own insulin shots, and anyone who's incontinent has to be able to manage it themselves with some support. They even organize devotional services offsite if faith is important to you. Monthly bulletins, news updates, and a blog help everyone keep up with community happenings, and if you're interested in joining, there's a membership process with an application fee and annual dues, plus exclusive activities for members and their guests. The whole place is run by a family and feels homelike, with folks who pay attention to each resident instead of just treating everyone the same, and there's a structured schedule of events to keep life interesting and social.