Esther's Place

Esther's Place sits on two and a half acres at 5550 Sinclair Road in Columbus, Ohio, set back among mature trees and other homes, and you'll find that it actually looks like a remodeled ranch house rather than one of those large facilities, so for people who want a real home feel, that's what this is-a small care home with five private rooms, each with private baths, and an age range of about 50-80. They help seniors who can't live alone but don't need full nursing home care, and they give assisted living and memory care, even board and care, plus there's respite care if someone needs a break looking after a loved one for a short while. Their main service is assisted living-helping with daily activities, managing medicine, making meals, laundry, and housekeeping-while memory care residents have special programs and secure spaces, and if someone has Alzheimer's or dementia, they get 24-hour attention and activities that help memory. The staff prepares meals and encourages residents to join in, and residents can bring along pets too, since animals are allowed, which is something not every place will do. It's a non-profit, and the price is all-inclusive, so families don't get hit with a lot of extra charges, and the no smoking rule inside keeps things cleaner, with smoking only outside.

They've got a nurse and doctor on call, skilled nursing available around the clock, even rehabilitation and wound care, so there's medical help on hand for those who need it, plus therapists, podiatrists, dentists, hospice, and home health workers visiting as needed, and the staff is trained and there 24/7, though there's no live-in staff, just about six on the day shift. There's a wheelchair accessible shower, wide doors, and easy access for anyone with mobility needs, and resident parking's available. Every bedroom has cable TV and a phone hookup, and the whole house has gas heat and central air, so it stays comfortable year-round, and there's indoor and outdoor common areas for activities, meals, and relaxing, including devotional activities and both onsite and offsite trips. Transportation for appointments is complimentary, and there's a bus stop nearby for those who like to get out. People can join in group activities or get help joining from the staff, so there's a real sense of community, and the property's big enough for short walks outdoors, surrounded by big, old trees. There's no RSS accepted, and they're not with the OACFA, but they focus on a simple, friendly, independent lifestyle where people get as much or as little help as they really need, and the atmosphere's calm, with a mix of indoor and outdoor chances for socializing or being on your own. Esther's Place partners with a community mental health center two miles away and a peer support center for those with mental illness, and the overall feel's like a safe, cared-for family home, not an institutional place, with all the important services a person aging needs.