Edgewood Assisted Living Home Re-opens
It all started with my mother,” Anna Marlow, the administrator at Edgewood explained. “When she got to the point where she needed living assistance I began to see the pros and cons of the business. So when I moved to Monticello, Edgewood was an opportunity I saw where I could take care of a lot of other people as well as she. We also found that the community seemed as if they would love to have us here.”
The facility was reopened on Friday, Jan. 6, when they accepted their first resident, Hollis Law-rence of Turtle Cove, who is recovering from an extended illness. Mr. Lawrence is a former executive director of the Monticello/Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, Jasper County Citizen of the Year, and a member of the founding board of the original 911 commission.
The goal at Edgewood is to provide a “down home like atmosphere” for its residents. It certainly seemed to meet that goal with a lovely well appointed day room with a large TV, a roomy dining room containing a lengthy table reminiscent of home, and a large sprawling deck facing the edge of the woods where residents can soak up the sun.
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In the spring, an area dedicated for a vegetable garden is already marked off.
Ms. Marlow, a registered nurse for the last 19 years, gives credit to her partner, Dr. Olivia Mulligan, for being able to get the facility up and running.
“She saw my vision, and without her, I would never have been able to get Edgewood.”
Besides herself, Ms. Marlow’s staff consists of two nursing assistants, Leigh Ann O’Bryan and Mary Ann Shirley.
“They both come with a lot of experience, live locally, and were excited to become a part of Edgewood,” Ms. Marlow said.
The renovated facility has 11 private rooms with baths, and provides housekeeping, laundry, three nutritious meals per day and snacks. They also will build a specific program of activity for each resident, and will be offering a source of entertainment, outings, planned events and spiritual needs.
Visiting is “anytime” with “proper limitations.”
The residents can also be taken out to dinner or lunch. Mr. Lawrence said his first trip would be to the Tillman House for lunch.
An open house is planned for this Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. It will also be a grand opening to let everyone know Edgewood is accepting residents.
The facility is located at 1178 College St., just beyond the hospital and across from the middle school.