Emerald Heights sits behind Redmond High School on Education Hill in Redmond, Washington, and has been serving older adults since 1992, so they've got over 30 years of experience looking after seniors who want to stay independent but still need a bit of support from time to time, and with over 550 residents on its 38-acre campus, you see all types of people coming and going, some out for a walk on the one-mile trail through the trees, some sitting in the landscaped courtyard with its waterfalls and fire pit, maybe enjoying a meal from the dining room or just talking with friends in one of the common areas. You'll find residents as young as 55, and they live in everything from studio apartments to one- and two-bedroom places, even some cottages, with semi-private rooms also available for those who want to share. The campus gives a lot of choices, and they're always working on upgrades, like the retrofitting project on the main building or activities in the fitness center, and folks use the gym, the therapy rooms, even the pool when they feel like it. There's skilled nursing care, memory care, and assisted living, so if you need more help down the line-and many do as they age-you can mostly stay on the same campus and keep a routine. People get help with blood sugar checks if they have diabetes, though you'll need to handle insulin shots yourself, and staff can give extra assistance with things like moving from the bed to a wheelchair or advice for anyone dealing with incontinence so long as residents can manage themselves. The medical staff can be called when you need them, and someone is available around the clock in case of emergency, plus there's access to therapists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and internal medicine doctors if the need arises.
You see lots of activity at Emerald Heights, from group games to classes and social events on the packed calendar, and the programs include things meant to keep you moving or to stir up friendships, or just keep your mind sharp. Homemade meals are prepared every day, which saves residents the effort of cooking, and most everything is aimed at helping people age in place, so you don't have to move if needs change; that applies to independent living, assisted living, memory care, and even skilled nursing or rehab care. Special activities like devotional services offsite, a garden railroad, and a mile-long hiking path are there if you're the type who likes to get outdoors or enjoy hobbies, and the community pays attention to all seven aspects of wellness, including emotional and social needs, spiritual life, learning, the environment, physical health, and even some work or volunteer opportunities for those interested. Emerald Heights runs as a non-profit, so their focus is steady support, offering not just a place to live but a life plan community with unlimited on-site long-term care, and with Medicaid accepted for assisted living without a private pay commitment, plus private pay, social security, veterans benefits, and their own fee structure, there are quite a few ways folks can arrange to stay. The community managed to grow too, with their Heron's Key site that opened in Gig Harbor back in 2017.
You'll find indoor common spaces to gather, a resident portal for folks comfortable with computers, an interactive campus map with a floor plan fit calculator for anyone thinking about moving in, and even relocation services to help newcomers transition more smoothly. Residents can expect amenities like scheduled meals, on-site and offsite activities, therapy rooms in both smaller and bigger gym spaces, outpatient fitness facilities, and beautiful neighborhood settings. Emerald Heights puts an emphasis on creating stable communities for seniors where you get a sense of security and the chance to keep busy, meet new people, and age with some confidence, with everything meant to support your physical, social, and emotional health as you go about daily life.
