FocusOn Magazine - St. Charles County (January / February 2017)

The Gables includes 12 – 14 ft. x 15 ft. private rooms, each with a half bath, closet and ample space for the Resident’s own furniture, encouraging them to make the room their own. The community dining room, living room, recreation space and kitchen, feature contemporary décor and plush furniture welcoming visits with family and friends at any time. The Gables is equipped with handrails throughout as well as video surveillance inside and outside the home and a secure decorative.

Residents, as well as their families are encouraged to engage in meaningful daily activities specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These include: reminiscent therapy, music therapy, crafts, memory games, pet therapy and non-denominational religious services. Residents are also encouraged to participate in laundering, doing dishes and cleaning.

Care will be built around the individual resident’s preferences. The whole goal is the home environment.

Janice Effinger, director of operations at The Gables, earned her MBA from Webster University in 2004. She was also director of operations at the Effingers’ Home Care franchise from 2008 to 2016, where she oversaw the private duty and Medicaid services and supervised nursing, caregiver and administrative staff, to ensure compliance with state and corporate policies, and excellent quality of care. Janice was also the primary caregiver for her mother, father and sister during serious illnesses and through end-oflife care. “She knows the importance of aging in place and living in a home-like environment,” Effinger said.

The Gables community and family educator, Barbara Bailey holds a master’s degree in social work. A graduate of George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Barbara has been in the field of medical social work for 30 years. She specializes in hospice and home care and leads several Alzheimer’s support groups throughout the St. Louis metropolitan community.

Registered Nurse, Rebekah McNiff, is the daughter, mother and aunt of loved ones with severe mental and physical illnesses serves. A graduate of the nursing program at Florissant Valley Community College, she now serves as nursing director at The Gables. McNiff has worked for more than three decades at BJC Healthcare in various fields, including cardiology. She also worked as research coordinator for Washington University’s Behavioral Medicine Center for seven years and most recently served as a home care nurse for a client with dementia.

Though staff at The Gables is expertly trained, Effinger said those seeking care for a loved one should always consider how workers treat their residents. “They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

The Gables of Cottleville Memory Care Home is open and has rooms available. For more information or to schedule a tour call 314-288-8691 or email The Gables at tim@thegablesofcottleville.com.

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