The Kensington

My 70-​year-​old wife has advanced frontotemporal dementia. I tried to take care of her at home with some outside help. When I realized I could no longer manage this, I visited four recommended assisted living facilities within easy driving distance. One was depressing — I knew when I walked in the door that it wouldn’t be right for her. Another was a clear possibility, although I suspected that my wife would probably have to be moved to another building on the same campus as her condition worsened. A third was highly touted by our psychiatrist who had been treating my wife. I asked him about the fourth place I had visited, The Kensington. He was familiar with it. The upside: «It’s new,» he said, and looks like a four-​star hotel. The downside: «It’s new,» a warning that it was still finding its footing. More than a year has passed since my wife subsequently moved to The Kensington, and I realize that he made points worth considering. To address his concern, I’m sure my wife presented the staff with behavioral/​emotional challenges beyond what they had anticipated. There were times when I worried about burnout among the very hard-​working certified nurse assistants (CNAs), the front-​line of care. There has been some turnover in their ranks. Another consideration is cost; it challenges my budget. In all other respects, I highly recommend this place for someone like my wife. She will not have to move from her memory-​care floor called Haven. It’s a lively place with frequent activities, visits from entertainers and — currently, at least — sessions with a music therapist. Advanced licensure here means the staff (a nurse is always on duty) can handle many aspects of care that used to require transfer to a nursing home. Food is far better than standard institutional fare, and family and friends are welcomed to dine with residents (no charge, no tipping, reservations required). Not least, I’ve found that the care extends to me. I meet weekly with a staff member well versed in the challenges of caregiving and dealing with cruel disease. Informally, I’ve made many friends at this place and (unexpectedly) discovered a kind of second marriage with my disabled wife — a different person from the woman I knew but adorable and far happier than she was at home.

My mother has been at the Kensington since it opened in the fall of 2011 and have had nothing but positive things to say about it. She started out on a lower floor (considered the assisted living portion of the building) and then as her condition worsened, was able to age in place and be cared for on the 5^th floor Havens community, dealing with more advanced memory care issues ie., Alzheimers and Dementia. We toured several «highly rated» facilities before finding the Kensington and they were old and depressing and I couldn’t IMAGINE leaving my mother there! Everything is first rate at The K — from the Director to the caregivers to the chef to the janitorial staff (the place is always spotless)! The bottom line is your loved one is actually being loved when you can’t be there to do it yourself. My hours are very sporadic and I pop in and out at various times and days and EVERY time I do, she is being engaged in some activity or someone is there playing live music for the residents. The aids are really wonderful people and care about each individual resident. They bond with them and are the reason our parents/​grandparents thrive in their care. Director, Celina Watson sets the tone for a warm and loving atmosphere where everyone is treated like family. The common thread there is that everyone truly cares. Norm, the chef, prepares wonderful meals and families are encouraged to join their loved ones in the beautiful dining room whenever possible. It’s such a major decision where to put your parents… NO body wants to do it but the truth is that they can care for them better than we can sometimes. The Kensington is the reason I can sleep at night! I rest easily knowing she is in great hands. It is truly a special and unique place!