Finding a Home that Fits–Crawford Street Place

Finding a Home that Fits

Courtesy Crawford Street Place, Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine

Seventy-five percent of the residents at Crawford Street Place are referred from other assisted living centers. At times, it’s because the individual requires a higher level of care and would benefit from the extra time and attention Crawford Street Place provides. Or perhaps the “fit” wasn’t quite right at the previous facility.

“People have so many choices when it comes to assisted living facilities––from intimate personal care homes to large resort-style communities,” says Kimberly Streun, OTR, co-owner of Crawford Street Place. “It’s important to find the right place that addresses the resident’s needs and matches interests and personality.”

According to Streun, some people can walk in the door at Crawford Street Place and instinctively know that they are “home,” whereas others come with lists of preferences that are an important part of the selection process. The decision may be driven by physical or emotional health issues.

Even when a higher level of care is needed, maintaining independence is still a priority. “It’s all about living fully at whatever stage you find yourself,” says Streun. Crawford Street Place honors that balance by focusing on small staff-to-resident ratios which increases opportunities for identifying needs, generating trust and finding enjoyment in daily activities.

“One of the most important things we do for our residents is give them the gift of our time––of staff time––for more individualized attention and care,” says Betty Stoker, OTR, co-owner of Crawford Street Place. “We have a higher staff-to-resident ratio than most facilities, which allows us to interact with each resident at least every 30 minutes during the day.” Besides providing an important opportunity to check on each resident, the face-to-face contact allow the staff to get to know the resident and vice versa, building relationships and confidence.

Stoker said that the more generous use of time also counteracts the “learned helplessness” that is sometimes found in facilities where caregivers have such a limited time with each resident that less time is allowed for independent accomplishments, such as getting dressed in the morning. “Maintaining functional abilities increases feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem,” says Stoker. “There’s a huge difference in giving someone only five minutes to dress before ‘taking over’ and allowing sufficient time for the resident to accomplish the task on his or her own.”

When there are more staff watching out for residents, there is also a greater awareness of small, incremental changes as well as the more dramatic shifts that often come with aging. Staff at Crawford Street Place are trained to watch for signs such as eating less than normal, being less active, failing to engage, or showing increased signs of confusion or agitation. “Sometimes the resident is simply having a bad day,” says Streun. “But it could also be early signs of a problem and that’s one reason our resident-to-staff ratio is often preferred.”

For many, Crawford Street Place feels like home. While Streun and Stoker would readily admit that their assisted living facility isn’t for everyone, they believe its merits are meaningful for many, especially among those for whom their current living situation is unsatisfactory. “Life can change quickly and what worked previously may no longer be a good fit,” says Stoker. Streun concurs. “We recognize that sometimes changes come in rapid shifts and we are generally first to notice and address those changes within the care plan for our residents.”

That’s the kind of customized care that reassures family members. Home to 11 residents, Crawford Street Place is a “home” in appearance and ambiance, nestled in a residential neighborhood in Denison. It has a sunny garden with a hand-painted water fountain, and a shaded porch with rocking chairs. Residents receive thoughtful attention, excellent meals, opportunities for recreation, and medication assistance. Additionally, staff focuses on what makes each resident unique and help ensure that those attributes and traits are positively utilized and well respected.

Streun and Stoker invite families to visit Crawford Street Place, where the family atmosphere is apparent and the care, impressive. While they agree that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to assisted living facilities, they are confident that Crawford Street Place is the right choice for many individuals and the families who love them.

Find out more about Crawford Street Place by calling 903-463-0400.