Elkins Rotary learns about Mountain Memories

Wendy Wolford, executive director of Mountain Memories Assisted Living & Retirement Center, addressed the Rotary Club of Elkins, detailing the services provided at the facility. Joyce Hanson, honorary Rotarian and resident of Mountain Memories, joined Wolford for her visit.

Founded as Colonial Place in 1994 by local residents Dick Moore, Bob Moore, Sharon Teter and Dominick Porto, Mountain Memories became a subsidiary of Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center in 2021. The facility has 88 beds and is private pay. Assisted living accommodations and memory care are offered. "We are licensed for 88 beds, but right now, we are at 75 residents, and we only have one room available," said Wolford. "We currently have a waiting list; we haven't had one of those in the past, so that's wonderful for us."

There are four room configurations available for the residents. There are rooms that can be shared between unrelated residents or married couples. Small and large private apartments are available, the only difference being the square footage of the units. There are also apartments that have a living room, kitchenette, two bedrooms and a private bedroom. All rooms have a private bathroom. Housekeeping and laundry services are also provided for full-time residents.

Full-time residence is one of the available options at Mountain Memories. Residents do not sign a contract, but it is requested that 30-days' notice is given if a resident will be leaving the facility to go home or to another facility. Respite care is also available for those who need short-term care for a loved one. Often, caregivers will need to be out of town or have an obligation that takes them away for a period of time. Mountain Memories offers stays between one and ninety days of respite care.

Day care is also offered by the facility. Caregivers can arrange for their loved ones to come to Mountain Memories for the day while they go to work or attend to other business. This service is available from 6AM until 6PM. Day residents have a private room and will receive the same services as full-time residents.

The memory care unit is currently full. In order to live in that unit, there must be a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. That unit has a patient to staff ratio of 2 to 10 because those residents require more care and redirection. John Arbogast, LPN, director of the memory unit, provides the daily activities options, medication management and tends to the residents' personal requirements.

Transportation to all Elkins area doctor's appointments is provided but the families are asked to provide transportation for out-of-the-area appointments. "I can be a little bit of pushover and if someone needs to go to Buckhannon or the VA in Parsons, we can make arrangements for that as long as our schedule allows. We want our residents to be served while they're here and to make it easy on the loved ones who put them there," added Wolford.

There is a therapy gym at Mountain Memories and speech, occupation and physical therapy are provided with a doctor's order. The therapists can provide services either in the gym or in a resident's room if they would like. Therapists also encourage the residents to come out of their rooms for their sessions. "A lot of times, there's resistance and they can get them to come out and do it. Right now we have a group of four residents who are waiting outside of the door every morning to go into the therapy gym to do their exercises," said Wolford. Exercises classes for those not needing therapy are offered in the common area near the entrance to the facility.

The dining room offers three balanced meals a day along with snacks. The residents may order whatever they would like from the extensive menu for breakfast each day. The lunch and dinner menus feature two entrée specials or the residents may choose items from the anytime menu that contains items such as soups, salads and sandwiches.

"The best program I think we have at Mountain Memories is the activities department. We do offer a robust activities department. We're more than just Bingo and crafts. However, Bingo is very important in our building." said Wolford. The residents' favorite prize at Bingo is candy followed by ice cream at the end of the game.

Additional activities include a weekly church service on Sunday either lead by a local volunteer or by selecting a televised service if a volunteer isn't available. "Spiritual cups are always fed at Mountain Memories," added Wolford. Father Jim O'Connor comes every Monday to lead the residents in singing. Specialty parties such as Kentucky Derby parties are held, there are spa afternoons, craft classes are offered and there is a monthly birthday party. The men in the facility get together every Tuesday to socialize and enjoy doughnuts; the ladies do the same every Thursday. There is also a beauty salon that is available to the residents with a limited number of appointments available to the staff as well.

The biggest challenge for Mountain Memories and all long-term care facilities is staffing. Assisted living facilities can hire personal care assistants that receive requisite training on-site. "The hardest job in my building is being a PCA/CNA and caring for our residents. It's the most important job and one of the hardest." said Wolford.

"We love volunteers. People call often wanting to come in, bring a service dog, the Baptist Church youth have come, the Highland Dancers always come a do a performance before they have their big show, any kind of volunteer work is welcome," concluded Wolford.

More information about Mountain Memories can be found at its website, https://mountain-memories.biz or by visiting its Facebook page (Mountain Memories Assisted Living & Retirement Center).

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page - Rotary Club of Elkins – or contact 2026-2027 club president Karen Wilmoth at wilmothk@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.