The Chandler Estate

The Chandler Estate sat in the Historic Monte Vista neighborhood of San Antonio, and for nearly forty years, folks could find a quiet place among its Victorian buildings and walking paths shaded by old trees, and some folks sure did like sitting on the wrap-around porch or settling into deep wood-paneled rooms, and you'd often see neighbors talking in front of stained-glass windows while staff came and went, serving around 180 residents at a time, including those in need of skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, or memory care for Alzheimer's. At its heart was the Legacy House built back in 1887, still showing off hand-carved woodwork by Mrs. Chandler herself, and besides that, residents had choices between roomy studio or two-bedroom apartments spread across three main buildings-the French Residence, the Howard Residence, and the Legacy House-with apartments coming with full kitchens, granite countertops, cable, and internet. Some pets were allowed and there was guest parking, so visits from family or friends weren't too troublesome. Folks enjoyed home-cooked meals planned by chefs in a well-lit dining room, and no shortage of activities with an in-house musical group, a recreation room, scheduled outings, arts and crafts spaces, walking paths, game nights, and a barber and beauty shop for haircuts right on site, while those that needed help with daily tasks got it without a fuss-bathing, medications, and such-with extra support for memory care to keep people safe if they wandered or got confused. Staff often stayed for the long haul, but with rising maintenance costs and an aging building, Morningside Ministries, the faith-based nonprofit that ran the place, had to make budget decisions, especially since Medicaid was only paying $145 a day and actual costs topped $200 for each resident. Some staff got to keep their jobs at other facilities like The Manor, The Meadows, and Menger Springs, and fifty out of about 130 staff continued on elsewhere, while policies helped transfer residents to other homes when closure became certain, the final day being February 28. Community programs like lectures, religious services, and counseling offered some comfort, while support covered things like disability screening, therapy, vocational help, and grief support. Seniors just looking for a hassle-free life could find independent living choices with all the upkeep taken care of, and rooms offered privacy but quick social contact through scheduled gatherings and shared meals. Transportation services rolled out for shopping or doctor visits, and with parking and paths, residents or visitors could come and go pretty easily. Now, even though no new residents can move in, stories live on in that old Victorian house with its high ceilings, farmhouse porch, and memories stretching over the estate's long years serving the community, and for those who once lived or worked there, it's probably not something they'll forget for a while.