An Unexpected Answer

For Debbie Carpenter, finding Abilities Enrichment Center for her daughter, Hannah, was an answer to a prayer.

“I had been looking for a new day program for Hannah, but hadn’t heard of Abilities. I found it purely by accident. I was sitting in slow-moving traffic on Engle Road when I saw the sign outside the building.”

She jotted down the name and looked it up later. “That’s when I learned of the affiliation with Blossom Hill, which of course I’d heard of. There’s even a Blossom Hill intermediate care facility across the street from Hannah’s old school.” She made an appointment for a tour.

Debbie had found Abilities early in its existence before its name was widely known. In fact, when Hannah started coming to Abilities, it had just six full-time staffers because enrollment hadn’t grown yet.

“I liked the idea that it was brand-new, that it was Blossom Hill’s first day program. I was greatly impressed by the Sensory Room and that there were options for daily outings, because Hannah loves being outside. Also, I have personally experienced great communication with staff over time since she started at AEC!” Debbie keeps a notebook in the small bag affixed to Hannah’s wheelchair where staff can write notes about Hannah’s daily activities.

Hannah is blind but she loves the sounds of nature and feeling the blowing wind on her face. She enjoys being wheeled around the walking path encircling the Blossom Hill greenhouse. Debbie and Hannah are also frequently outdoors when they are together.

“Hannah is the love of my life and we spend all our time together. I wouldn’t change that. When she is at Abilities, that is my time to run errands, see friends, and rejuvenate so I’m refreshed. If I’m going to leave my daughter somewhere every day, I need to have a high level of trust with the people who run that program. That’s what I have found with Abilities.”

Two Miracles

Family celebrates finding a home for their beloved sister … that comes with an exceptional day program

Nora is a resident of Blossom Hill’s Center Ridge House (CRH) in Westlake, Ohio, and an active participant in activities at our day program, Abilities Enrichment Center. She came to us after her previous residential care home recommended that Nora live somewhere with 24-hour nursing supervision.

This set off an intensive search by Nora’s sisters, Katie and Mary, who have been responsible for Nora’s care since their parents passed away. “We needed a home with round-the-clock nursing care, and one affiliated with a day program,” said Katie. “Because Nora loves going to her day program and we couldn’t take that away from her.”

Coincidentally, Blossom Hill had just opened Abilities Enrichment Center around this time. It’s a day program the offers daily experiences, peer and community interaction, enrichment, and activities both inside the center and out in the community. “Nora has been going to some kind of day program since she was a teenager—she’s now in her early 60s. It’s a huge part of her life and something that is very important to her.”

Staff longevity and homey atmosphere

The family knew Center Ridge House was the right fit for Nora from the moment they walked in. “We were so impressed with the facility. We knew from the first day Nora would be happy there,” said Mary.

They appreciated the longevity of so many Blossom Hill team members, whereas other residential homes where Nora had lived experienced a lot of staff turnover. “There’s a core group that has been there for a long time. Nora does better with that kind of consistency. They have been so good to her. For the first time, I feel like I can really trust that all her needs are being met,” said Katie.

“It was two miracles,” said Mary. “The first was finding Center Ridge House. The second miracle came in the form of Abilities Enrichment Center. Nora isn’t happy if she not doing something. She needs action.”

A day program with something more

Katie and Mary love that Abilities lets family members participate in activities as well. “I go to the center a lot,” said Katie. “The staff is so accommodating. I can have lunch with Nora, work on an art project right next to her. We can play games together. We like to spend time in the Sensory Room. Some days, we take her out to lunch. It’s such a welcoming environment for everyone.”

“The staff is creative,” said Mary. “Nora used to go a salon every few weeks to get her nails done. She thrives on that kind of personal attention. Now, someone takes her into a separate room to do her nails and give her that one-on-one time.”

Nora also regularly participates in the community outings that are a daily part of the offerings at Abilities. “If there’s an opportunity to go somewhere, Nora will be the first to raise her hand,” said Katie. “She enjoys going to the museums, visiting the greenhouse, and interacting with as many people as she can.”

“Our parents taught us well how important it is to make sure Nora is getting proper care in a loving environment. When we had to suddenly find a new home for her that could better manage her medical needs, we prayed to our parents. Blossom Hill and Abilities were the answer to that prayer.”

A Feeling of Security

 Unusual respite situation helps individual transition to a stable, permanent home

A security blanket doesn’t necessarily have to be a blanket. Sometimes it’s a purse.

When Paula came to stay at our Center Ridge House, a homestyle residence for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, she occupied a temporary respite care bed. She clung to her purse everywhere she went. If she left her room for any reason, the purse was with her, clutched in her hands.

Sadly, Paula had good reason to be protective of her belongings. She’d been shuttled between private homes of family and friends, and even between states, leaving her with no real sense of home. She’d had money stolen from her.

What our staff witnessed over Paula’s 90-day stay was a complete transformation, as she left her “security blanket” behind and eventually began to act as a house mother of sorts to her housemates.

Blossom Hill is a staple in Northeast Ohio, providing family-style group living and supported living services for individuals with developmental disabilities since 1968. Respite services are another aspect of the programming Blossom Hill provides. Typically, families or guardians use these short-term services either when they need a break or will be away for an extended period.

Paula’s case, however, was different. It was emergency respite, initiated by the County, because Paula needed a place to stay until she could find new, permanent housing.

Paula is higher-functioning than most of our residents, but had experienced some of the trauma that is all too familiar to the population we serve. She had been shuttled between California and Ohio, moving due to a death in her family and then the death of her friend with whom she had been living. The friend’s significant other didn’t want Paula in their home anymore and the situation had become potentially dangerous.

Due to this uncertainty, Paula turned inward. She clung to her purse. She didn’t talk. She was also initially thrown off by the environment in the home, as her housemates live with profound disabilities.

It is the mission of all Blossom Hill’s residential homes to be an actual home for the individuals who live there. House staff work hard to create a family atmosphere. These are not “facilities,” they are places where people live, share meals, socialize, and spend time together.

Soon, Paula fell under the spell of having a home of her own again. She started forming deep bonds with her housemates. She opened up and became more communicative and engaged. She began pitching in to assist house staff with activities such as meals and helping her housemates with their wheelchairs.

Staff members always remember the first day Paula came out her room … and left the purse behind. It was the final signal that she’d grown comfortable in her surroundings.

It was always the intention that Paula would eventually leave Center Ridge House and find a place of her own. She knew this and toured many apartments while she stayed with us. We gave her the luxury of being able to take her time and find just the right place.

Paula eventually found an apartment of her own but has remained in touch with her Center Ridge House manager, who reports that Paula is doing well on her own. Paula’s situation is unusual for us, and we’re pleased that the respite services of Blossom Hill could serve as temporary shelter from life’s storms for Paula. She was able to transition from a life of upheaval and uncertainty to one of stability and contentment.