Where The Heart Is by Cogir sits over at 410 S Norris St in Burlington, Washington, and it's been here since 2000, running under the Cogir Real Estate company and managed by a dedicated executive director, with a Health Services Director and Medical Director as part of the team. The two-story building looks and feels like a home, and you'll find 59 apartments spread across three assisted living neighborhoods, each with 15 apartments, plus one memory care neighborhood with 14 apartments, set up to provide comfort and reduce confusion for those with memory issues. The place serves up services for all the main types of senior care-independent living, assisted living, memory care, home care, adult day services, and even long-term skilled nursing and hospice care, so folks can age in place and get what they need even as their needs change. Nurses, LPNs, visiting therapists, and round-the-clock staff give support with everything from medication management, personal care, diabetes help, and physical therapy, to help with mobility and reminders about grooming and meals, accepting residents who might wander or need a little extra supervision.
There's a real focus on memory care here, using the Revere℠ approach with relationship-based methods and personalized care plans, plus secured buildings and bracelets for extra safety, and special programming like Melody & Masterpiece in the art studio and Pawsitive Health with animals in wellness activities, or Memories in Motion to keep residents engaged and happy. Even in memory care, residents get 24-hour supervision, reminders, therapy, and regular activities meant to reconnect them with their past or just bring joy during the day. Staff offer help with everything from medication, bathing, and toileting to more complex needs like behavioral issues or helping prevent falls with advanced video technology and remote clinical support. The staff are used to working with folks with physical aggression, elopement risk, or difficult behaviors, and the secure memory care neighborhood stops wandering with alarms and locked doors for safety.
The community aims to provide a home-like life with features like open and indoor common areas, a dedicated library, game and activity rooms, art studio, outdoor garden, walking paths, and three separate dining rooms for meals. The dining program offers three chef-prepared meals a day, plus restaurant-style or private dining, guest meals, special diets like low sodium, vegan, or gluten-free, and even international cuisine, with snacks and drinks available throughout the day. Residents enjoy programs and classes like stretching, yoga, happy hours, card games, art and music therapy, brain exercises, and Wii Bowling, as well as organized outings and excursions. The Forever Fit program brings fitness classes, and the community holds devotional services and religious options for those wanting spiritual support. There's a beautician onsite, a salon, podiatrist and dentist visits, property maintenance, transportation services, parking, and the place allows dogs and cats.
Inside, apartments range in size from studios at 310 sq. ft. to 1-bed/1-bath at 380 sq. ft., with full bathrooms, wheelchair-accessible showers, tubs, and private housekeeping. Floors are set in a way to support socializing, and the community encourages friendships with living rooms and lounges, happy hours, music, group art, and community events like wine tasting, trivia, and educational programs. Features like the Cottage are set aside for those in early stages of dementia to keep them engaged longer, with the main structure set up to keep everyone safe, supervised, and able to age in place. There's no smoking in the indoor spaces, male and female residents are accepted based on availability, and Medicaid occupancy is part of the services. The team adjusts care to light, medium, or heavy needs and even has standby assistance and mechanical lifts when needed. Full-time activity directors and fitness trainers organize everything and keep spirits up, while technology like bracelets and alarms make sure everyone stays safe. More information is available on their own facility website listed under the Cogir communities.
