Ask Helen

Philosophy And ReputationAffect Quality Of Care

BY Helen Shaham

Q.Mom and dad have decidedto move to an independent livingcommunity. Although I agree withtheir decision, I think they shouldmove to the community that isopening in a couple months insteadof the more established one they areconsidering. The owners, thoughnew to senior housing, havepromised residents great care andnumerous activities. How can I convince them to move to the newercommunity?

A.Selecting a senior livingcommunity is one of the most important decisions they will haveto make. Why entrust that care tosomeone “new to senior housing”? A community with a solid reputation for resident and familysatisfaction is best for mom anddad.

This is a business of service andcare. Senior housing is a fine-tunedbusiness that requires well-trainedemployees and an experienced management team. We’re more thanjust hospitality. It’s a service business that requires 24-hour care.

We take great pride in the family atmosphere of our communities.Residents and their loved onesenjoy the peace of mind knowingthat we are one of the most trustednames in senior housing while addition to the elegant ambianceand luxurious amenities, our communities’ atmosphere is reflected in the warmth of resident/staff relationships.

Our philosophy and founding principle, “Do unto others as youwould have others do unto you”, isat the heart of our success. We arecommitted to providing older adultswith an exceptional level of personal service within an upscaleenvironment by exceeding the expectations of out residents, families and employees.

The Palace also applies the founding principle outside the wallsof its communities. We view ThePalace as a community within acommunity. It’s important for us toplay an active role in surroundingneighborhoods. Whether initiatingcommunity-wide hurricane reliefefforts or partnering with a localschool to provide students job-training opportunities, we strive to be good neighbors.

Since opening our first 21-bed adultcongregate living facility in 1980,we have been setting higher standards for quality and care aswell as marking major milestones.Now celebrating our 25th anniversary, The Palace is known as South Florida’s leading companyspecializing in senior housing andcare.

Our reputation has been one of thebiggest keys to our success. We findthat most families considering asenior living community hear aboutThe Palace from friends and neighbors. To us, that speaks volumes.

During the 25th Anniversary BlockParty on April 9, from 11a.m. to who have played a part in our success. We invite you visit ourKendall campus during the festivities to learn first-hand the importance of selecting a senior living community that has a definedphilosophy of care and a solid reputation.

It takes more than a few promisesto guarantee adequate care so momand dad should have reservationsabout the newer community. An established senior living community allows an opportunityto examine their track record andreputation. Try talking to your parents about your concerns. It mayalso be worthwhile to visit the community together.

Helen Shaham and her husbandJacob have een operatingretirement communities for nearly30 years. The Palace Suites inKendall is a luxury IndependentLiving Community for activeseniors. In addition, The Palace atKendall campus is home to twoAssisted Living Residences and aNursing & Rehab Center. They alsooperate The Palace Gardens ssistedLiving Community in Homestead,Homestead Manor Nursing Homeand The Palace @ Home, aMedicare Certified Home HealthAgency. Their two newest projectsare The Palace at Weston – luxuryliving for those 55 and over, andThe Palace Tel-Aviv, a continuingcare retirement community in Israel. They have two communitiesunder development – The Palace atWeston Senior Living and ThePalace at Coral Gables. More information can be found on thecompany website,www.thepalace.org or by calling 305-270-7000.