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McDowell Place truly is a place to call home

As senior adults age and experience certain changes in their lives, there may come a time when they can no longer stay by themselves in their own home. McDowell Place of Danville, an independent and assisted living community, is available in those situations À not only to provide a residence to those who call it home but also to make a difference in the quality of their lives.

–Our residents enjoy the sense of community that develops from living here,” said Susan Matherly, administrator. –If they don't have any other family, this has become a huge extended family for them, through the close relationships they develop with their neighbors and the staff, and the variety of activities we offer.”

At first glance, McDowell Place may have the appearance of an ordinary facility. Upon closer look, however, an individual will see differences that set McDowell Place apart from other similar facilities. Those include the nicely landscaped grounds À areas of which are tended to by the residents themselves À or the line of inviting rocking chairs that sit at the front entrance.

To some, the heart of the facility is its grand dining room, featuring linen-covered tables, a vaulted ceiling and a baby grand piano. Besides being used for all resident meals, this room is the gathering place for exercise classes, entertaining events and church services À or even a simple game of bridge or a cup of coffee among friends.

Walking through McDowell Place, one will notice that each of the facility's four wings is its own neighborhood, with its own name. There are 98 residences among those wings, and currently more than 80 people make their homes there. The residences are available as deluxe studio or one- and two-bedroom apartments. 

Matherly said the staff strives to make living at McDowell Place better than the home the residents left. One benefit is that residents don't have the normal hassles of home maintenance, such as cooking, cleaning and mowing. Another perk is the availability of staff members to take residents to doctor's appointments.

–We care about our residents as if they were our own family members,” Matherly said. –In fact, we may spend more time with some of our residents than we do with our own families, so they become our extended family.”

It is for that reason that Matherly and other staff members are familiar with the preferences of specific residents. They know whose favorite TV channel is FOX News. They also know the smile that will come when they leave an extra piece of chocolate pie at the table for residents who have a sweet tooth.

–We are there for our residents if they need something,” Matherly said. –We not only care for our residents but also care about them.”

Because socialization is so important for senior adults, McDowell Place provides a lively range of social, cultural, physical and spiritual activities to its residents. These include escorted trips, dining out, lectures and concerts, games, shopping, excursions, worship services and Friday afternoon social hour gatherings. Special occasions are also held, such as Hee Haw Night, a grand Christmas dinner, an Hawaiian luau and a monthly Family Night.

Overseeing all the activity at McDowell Place is Jersey, a lovable black Lab mix who likes to lie in spots of sunlight wherever residents gather.

–This is a nice place and a nice environment for these residents to live,” Matherly said.

Two residents who enjoy living at McDowell Place are Libby Nelson, who lives at McDowell Place with her husband, Ken, and Edna Lankford.

–The activities and the religious programs are wonderful,” Mrs. Lankford said. Mrs. Nelson said she enjoys the social activities and also likes living at McDowell Place because all household chores are done for her.

–I like it here very much,” she said. –There couldn't be a better place.”