The inspiration for Cobbdale Assisted Living emerged from our experience of trying to find the best residential care setting for one of our family’s loved ones, Elizabeth Flohr. Our story is a familiar one. Once a highly autonomous person, we hadn’t spent much time thinking about what to do were “Betty” to lose her ability to live independently. Following her stroke, it became very clear that Betty’s needs had changed dramatically and that she would need a very different kind of care and home environment. She would need help with most aspects of daily living and we set out on our journey of visiting many different residential options, learning as we went, in our quest for the right fit.
We all felt Betty would prefer, and do well, in a smaller homelike environment. A residence in a typical neighborhood seemed ideal. She would want her privacy and would want to remain as independent as possible. With her physical vulnerabilities and limitations a setting which offered one level living with few, if any, transitions was a high priority. Betty loved the outdoors and serenity of nature, so we hoped to find a residence which offered some of that feel and energy. Of course, the quality of the actual caregivers would be one of the most important factors. We were hoping to find a setting where there were truly warm, compassionate and competent care providers.
As it turned out, for many reasons, Betty ended up staying in a large residential living facility. Although we knew we had done the best we could, none of us felt truly comfortable with the outcome. The large residential setting was close to Betty’s daughter and made visiting and staying connected to her much easier. Interestingly, Betty’s grandson, Joey Lynch-Flohr, who became the Executive Director of Cobbdale Assisted Living, took a job at her residential setting and was able to contribute to easing her transition to a totally new and different world.
From this journey, the vision for Cobbdale Assisted Living emerged.
Her grandson, Joey, went on to graduate level study in assisted living management and care within the Masters in Health Administration and Policy at George Mason University. He completed an intensive Senior Living Administrator on-site training program and became licensed as an Assisted Living Administrator by the state of Virginia. The idea of transforming the actual home where Betty lived for 27 years into a setting that could offer everything we had been looking for was particularly meaningful. What emerged was Cobbdale Assisted Living, a small homelike residence that offers true resident centered care, for up to eight residents, and is designed for seniors. Comfortable and easy to navigate one level living with no stairs, chairlifts or elevators.
Competent, experienced and warm care givers who have the support and guidance of Cobbdale’s licensed Executive Director. Staffing patterns that make it possible to provide personal care and individual attention. Comfortable private single bedrooms, each with a private in-suite bathroom allowing our residents to enjoy their privacy within the larger communal home. Inviting communal areas and a newly designed kitchen and dining area that engenders a sense of community, inclusion and belonging. And the lovely gardens, courtyard and grounds where residents can connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the seasons unfolding.
We all felt confident that other families, who were looking for the best fit for their loved one, would have an exciting option in Cobbdale Assisted Living.