This is the premier informational website for the 50-plus population. You’ll find practical information that will help seniors and boomers find success working from home and replace income from lost jobs.  This is a great website to check out! www.retiredbrains.com

­– Donna

While there are a lot of things about this concept that I agree are beneficial, there’s still a lot of important things that are not considered. The benefits listed to staying in your home are:

Maintaining the same routine: This is great, but maybe the same routine is not a healthy one.  Going to a dining room where there is a fresh salad where all the toppings are right at your finger tips, or fresh fruit every day is a wonderful thing that is just too hard to do for one person at home.

Living independently: Moving into a retirement community where you have your own apartment, choices in meals, choices in activities, choices in healthcare… There is so much independence in living with very little stress when you’re older.  I would say that people living in retirement living are free to live far more independently than those home alone.

Home Security: There are so many phone scams, night burglaries, and so much more in this time we live in.  The idea of a senior living alone in a  house, where the family has made the bedroom on the ground floor and access to the home so easy, just worries me for the sake of safety.  I get a lot of comfort knowing my staff is at the front desk 24 hours a day, and constantly check all the doors and windows for safety.  I love the fact that if any of our residents have any kind of issue, all they have to do is pull the emergency cord and a staff member is there in minutes!

As you can see, I do not fully agree with this “Aging in Place” concept at all times.  I know that in this time of hardship for the contractors, building is on a very low demand.  Let us not rely on the senior community to provide work for the men looking for a remodel job, at the exchange of safety and good living!

– Donna

August 7, 2010 marked 100 years of service to the maritime community by the historic tug boat the Sandman.  Following 75 years of working as a tug boat, the Sandman is still in our community for all of us to see, tour, and remember. While the weather is still nice, I encourage you to go downtown Olympia and tour the boat in person.  Tours are available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 4:00.

– Donna

I can hardly believe that it’s already August.  The summer just got here and I feel like we are getting ready to tell it goodbye. The County Fair is getting started, the local stores are getting school supplies in.  We have enjoyed music in the park, trips to the mountains, and many BBQ’s with great food and fun!

As I prepare my mind and building for the fall season, I truly hope that we will all be able to slow down and enjoy each other’s company, and really appreciate our good health.

– Donna

There are no words to express how grateful I am for all of Donna’s hard work and understanding with my Grandmother’s situation.  The very first time I spoke with Donna regarding a room for my Grandma, she put my worry at ease.  She did everything she could to make it an easy transition and to get my Grandma into a much better place.

My Grandma has been at the Colonial Inn now for just about two months and I can’t believe how much her health and spirit has improved.  She wasn’t able to walk into the Inn when she first arrived because she was so weak. And today she walks herself to the dining room twice a day.  When I come visit she has a smile on her face and a sparkle back in her eyes.  It is so comforting to know that she is being taken care of even when we are not there.

Thank you Colonial Inn, Donna and all the staff. You are wonderful and I appreciate you so very much!

Jennifer Herrin

I am loving the days where I can gaze out my office window, and see all of the lovely flowers in our courtyard.   The potted flowers and tomato plants are doing great this year. Many of you may notice a couple new items of furniture I recently purchased. It gives me great joy to see our residents relaxing in the sun and visiting with each other, instead of sitting inside. Now, if I could only manage to stop gazing outdoors and get my work done!

– Donna

On my way into work recently I thought to myself, “Oh it’s Monday, I wonder what this day will bring?”  When I opened my office door and turned on the light, I spotted a note that someone had slid under my door. Wow, this has made my day!!

It read:

To Donna, Manager, The Colonial Inn.

Here are some reasons we’re glad we came to live at The Colonial Inn.  We have been here since the last of January and so far are quite satisfied with our life here.  Everyone is friendly, residents and staff as well.  All know and use one’s first name, and are always ready to help whenever necessary.

We like the food.  Meals are varied, nutritious, and generally tasty.  Servers are competent and nearly always remember an individual’s preferences, we have yet to hear any grumbling about the food.

We are happy with our one bedroom, one bath.  It’s spacious, has large windows.  With so many huge trees surrounding us, we fell like we live in a forest.  The views are great, the park and trail across the road and our grounds are attractive and kept beautifully.

The housekeeping is top-notch.  It’s is hard to find a speck of dust anywhere, what with the constant dusting and cleaning going on in the halls and common areas.

We like the regular weekly care of our apartment and the laundry of our bed linens and towels. And the shower is wonderful and safe. There is always hot water, excellent water pressure and shower stalls have adequate , safe grab bars.  The shower curtains are top notch, with suction tabs that attach to the shower wall.

Maintenance request are attended to readily, and cheerfully.

So you can see why we don’t hesitate to respond positively when anyone asks, ” Why do you like living at The Colonial Inn?”

Signed,

Harold & Ruth Jacobson

Last September when I was in Maui, my husband and I stopped at a tiki bar for some lunch. The servers were very sweet, the food was great, and the atmosphere was a lot of fun.. On the table was a small sign that said, ” Join us on Facebook.” at the time I thought this was very strange that they would be on Facebook. After looking at their site, you can’t help but become a fan and share your great experience like everyone else who has visited.

Well we now have a page on Facebook! It’s a lot of fun to read what people leave as comments, and also fun to post pictures of what our seniors are doing in their day. We can post pictures from trips, and also of the in-house happenings that we have. If you haven’t become a fan, I strongly encourage you to do so…. It’s so much fun!

– Donna

The last few weeks several of our ladies have been diligently working in the flower beds around the gazebo.  Things are filling in and looking so beautiful out there. I have the far north office, so I can look out my window and enjoy all of the hard work they have put into the area.  I see pots overflowing with color, baskets hanging, and plenty of seats to sit out and enjoy when the sun does come out.

A big Thank you to all of you who have worked so hard to make the gazebo area such a nice place to gather with friends, or just to gaze out the window!

– Donna

I came from a meeting recently where people who work in our area with seniors are welcome to join. Whether you’re a realtor, or an in-home care helper, you are welcome.   While sitting there listening to the guest speaker (a very informative talk on Social Security, I may add!) I thought about all the other facility representatives there with me.

Over the years I have seen people in this industry go from facility to facility as an employee, but that is just not for me.   My desire is to do the best job I can possibly do to make my business the best “quality” I can for the people I love.  I could work for someone else maybe making a little bit more money?  I could go to a position where the daily stress isn’t so high?   But my heart is right here at The Colonial Inn, working with some of these people for more than 11 years.

When I give tours to the children of some of my past residents, they are now looking for housing for themselves. It says something when the children want to live here as  their parents  did…….   My residents make me proud!

– Donna