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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Royal Oaks becomes the Golden Living Center
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The Royal Oaks Living Center has now become the Golden Living Center and is part of a nationwide company that manages more than 250 assisted living residencies located throughout the United States.
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By Kymm Griffin
Staff Writer
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For 40 years the Royal Oaks Center has been serving Galt area residents who require an assisted living facility.
This neighborhood staple has changed its name to the Golden Living Center and is now part of one of the largest health care companies in the country.
The Golden Living Center also has a new executive director, David Gram, who has been working there for about six months.
Gram moved to the Galt area with his family six years ago. The small town atmosphere was a good fit.
“It’s just such a nice community,” said Gram.
The facility will continue to serve its residents in much the same way it has in the past. All of the current staff is remaining in place and few changes are planned.
Expanding the occupational therapy opportunities is a priority for the Golden Living Center.
Currently about 20 percent of the residents participate in the program.
The focus on rehabilitation after an extended hospital stay, or surgery, is one focus of the center.
“Rehabilitation is an essential element of life in all of our nursing homes, and our rehabilitative services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and joint replacement therapy,” states the Golden Living Center Web site.
The goal of the therapy is to strengthen the patient and empower them to return to independent living.
“We really do a lot of short term rehab,” said Gram.
The explanation of rehabilitation has made an increased quality of life for many of the residents.
“A lot of them get to go home and that’s really the goal – to get them home,” said Jerry Sinor, a restorative nursing assistant who had worked there for 40 years. “You didn’t see that when I first started.”
For the residents, participating in the therapy is one of their favorite activities.
“I’ve been going to the gym and I really like that activity,” said Ester Sullivan.
Sullivan also appreciates the social dining hall that is in front of the building and offers a more casual atmosphere.
Plans are also being put together to increase the size of the popular dining hall.
“I don’t go away hungry. I like that little dining room,” said Sullivan.
Along with therapy opportunities, there is also a vast array of social outings and opportunities for the residents.
Once a month Nellie Edwards, the activities coordinator, hosts a residents council to hear ideas for new activities.
“Bingo is the number one activity. We have to do it at least five times a week,” said Edwards. The center also hosts movie nights and entertainment. Recently a group spent the day at the casino in Jackson, and one lucky resident won $800.
The Golden Living Center is providing the residents with more than just basic care and is really working with them to get them back on their own again.
“It gives a lot of relief to the families. They don’t have to worry when they put their family in here,” said Sinor.
The Golden Living Center is located at 144 F Street. For more information, call 745-1537.
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