Dignity, Compassion and Quality Care

Episcopal Retirement Services’ (ERS) recently renovated and expanded. Marjorie P. Lee memory care homes offer residents spacious and luxurious living environments that are safe and secure. But it’s ERS’ hallmark guiding principles of dignity, compassion and quality care that won Lisa Damico’s heart when she was searching for a senior living community for her 92-year-old mother, Rosemary Lennertz.

Damico, an RN who formerly worked in case management, is well attuned to the care needs of seniors who, like her mother, started showing signs of cognitive decline several years ago. She had served as her mother’s 24/7 care partner for a couple of years, but when her mom suffered a major health setback in 2017, causing further physical and cognitive concerns, Damico decided more comprehensive care was needed.

“Marjorie P. Lee was my first choice,” says Damico, who says she closely researched Cincinnati’s vast array of senior care options. “My mom played bridge with a group of women there every week, and was there for short-term care a few times, so I knew the place well. It’s been an adjustment for her, but it’s been a positive experience overall.”

Damico points to Marjorie P. Lee’s suite of individualized therapies involving art, music, advanced cognitive and physical well-being exercises, the availability of 24-hour skilled care, high staff-to-patient ratio and ERS’ continuum of care/aging-in-place approach as important factors shaping her decision to choose the Marjorie P. Lee memory care community. Above all, she adds, it’s the people who work there, always treating residents with dignity and compassion.

“Marjorie P. Lee is a gem,” she says.

Bryan Reynolds, the vice president of marketing and public relations for ERS, says their holistic, one-on-one approach to memory care services fully engages residents, stimulates their minds, potentially improves or maintains ability levels and may slow the progression of cognitive decline.

“In addition, our specially trained staff provides person-centered care – a care philosophy we adopted many years ago as an organization – which promotes freedom, choice and purpose to residents’ highest potential in their everyday lives,” Reynolds says. “Additionally, our staff is trained in the Positive Approach to Care, developed by internationally respected dementia educator Teepa Snow. This person-centered approach evolved to meet the complex and unique needs of individuals by using effective and structured strategies and techniques to help those who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia.”

Marjorie P. Lee is well known for low staff turnover, high staff-to-resident ratios, high resident satisfaction scores and Medicare ratings.

“Finally, what truly benefits our residents and their families is that we will never ask anyone to leave should they outlive their financial means,” Reynolds says. “It’s a promise we’ve kept for more than 65 years.”

“With an estimated 10,000 seniors turning 65 every day and the growing prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, it is imperative for ERS and Marjorie P. Lee to continue to provide innovative care, techniques and therapies for its residents and the entire Cincinnati community,” Reynolds says. “ERS has also formed a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Cincinnati, the City of Cincinnati and the Kennedy Heights Development Corporation and Community Council to create the Dementia Inclusive Cincinnati initiative. Led by ERS President Laura Lamb, the initiative is designed to make Cincinnati the most dementia-friendly city in the country.”

Episcopal Retirement Services is located at 3870 Virginia Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45227. For more information about Marjorie P. Lee memory care households or other ERS senior living communities, call 513.271.9610 or visit www.episcopalretirement.com.