Hermitage Gardens Creates Home Away From Home

A resident folds laundry before the night is over

In 2000, the city of Oxford gained a new home filled with not only love, but with more than 50 occupancies.

Hermitage Gardens of Oxford is an assisted living facility that caters to not only senior residents, but also the Alzheimer’s and Dementia community. As a Five Star operation, staff as well as activity director Brooke Pittman caters to the specific needs of each individual. Even though the residents are often mature, fun seems to be a consistent pattern in the busy community.

“Assisting a resident on coming out and making sure they are being involved in everything that’s going on in this building…I enjoy that,” certified nursing assistant Kim Chapman said.

Residents wind down the day by watching a movie

Members partake in several events throughout the month, some of which take place on a daily basis. Social hour is an everyday activity for residents to mingle with friends and enjoy a special snack.

“We don’t do special diets; and so everything has the full fledge… our cooks are like Paula Deen. You get all the nutrition and the tasty good stuff,” Pittman said.

If the residents aren’t eating, they could be taking advantage of the physical exercise amenities or craft resources to fulfill one of their many daily activities. With so much attraction, an attractive appearance is a must for some.

Beauty Salon days take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays for members looking for a perm, haircut or even manicures and pedicures.

“Beauty Salon Day is a big, big hit around here. Our beautician…she’s been here for years and years… she’ll do the full works on your hair,” Pittman said.

Showing off a new hairdo at one of the week’s most popular activities, Bingo night, might seem like the perfect option for socializers. Bingo games bring in the crowd every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday due to a high amount of requests.

Two best friends enjoy small talk and a movie together

“Bingo is a very big thing here…very big. We have some adamant bingo players,” Pittman said.

Prizes sit in various rooms for the winners of Bingo.

Volunteers and family members are able to participate or help with Bingo during morning hours. However, the activities don’t end there. Trivia, exercise and special events are offered for residents at 2 p.m. every day.

A haunted house was open to the public this past Halloween as an effort to bring in the community and raise funds for Christmas.

“We’re always doing something. We celebrate Alzheimer’s awareness and Breast Cancer awareness,” Pittman said. “There’s always something to do, there’s always something to plan.”

The Lifestyle 360 program allows residents to be assisted with needs that allow them to live normal lives inside and outside of their new home.

“No matter if you’re in assisted living, you can live your lifestyle how you want to live it,” Pittman said.

Spiritual, intellectual and social essentials are a few things that make a difference in the assisted living community, according to Pittman.

Resident Mary Arlene Castleberry said, “We have a lot of fun. I do, at least. It’s just a nice place. The food is good, the people that work with you are good.”

By Kamera Griffin, a student of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at kagriff2@go.olemiss.edu.