New world-class senior living community built to help residents thrive

In the heart of Kansas City’s Northland, senior living is being transformed. Inside the newly built Stonecrest at Burlington Creek awaits an experience that’s so much more than simply a place to live – it’s a place to grow, to connect and to thrive.

Within the community, residents immerse themselves in luxury senior living with all of the comforts of home. Purpose-built apartment homes – including 55 assisted living suites in studio-, one- and two-bedroom layouts and 30 memory care suites – are thoughtfully situated in the midst of seven acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Walking paths and an outdoor dining area give residents the chance to experience the beauty of the area as they maintain an active, independent lifestyle.

That focus on lifestyle is so much more than a mere collection of amenities. At Stonecrest at Burlington Creek, it’s one of the driving forces behind the community, guiding everything from the inviting, contemporary layout to the unmatched depth of care that ensures residents are physically, mentally and emotionally engaged and fulfilled.

Consider the Vibrant Life program, newly created for Stonecrest at Burlington Creek by Integral Senior Living, the community’s property manager. Vibrant Life offers a pioneering approach designed for enhancing and enriching residents’ lives across seven core components for well-rounded and meaningful experiences. For example, one of Vibrant Life’s four signature programs includes “This Is Your Life,” which showcases individual residents throughout the year to share their life stories and personal accomplishments.

“There is a trend in today’s society that says, ‘My kids are grown, my career is complete; now what? What purpose do I have now?’ We, as a community, are challenging ourselves to answer those thoughts and incorporate different senses – including discussion, learning, creativity, stress relief and sharing – to draw our residents in and deliver engaging experiences that help them live vibrantly,” according to the Stonecrest at Burlington Creek marketing team.

More traditional activities are also available, including cards, chess, checkers, puzzles and games. And with activities scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, there’s always something for residents to do, including collaborating on impromptu outings.

For example, if a group of residents wants to go bowling and is cleared to do that, the Stonecrest staff will help make arrangements with the community’s shared and private transportation. To the staff, it’s all about helping residents maintain as much of their independence as possible.

Staying active and independent are among Stonecrest’s top priorities, but the Stonecrest staff is also committed to ensuring each resident has the most enjoyable experience possible, which is why every detail has been considered and carefully planned. One of the favorite features? The food! An on-site chef prepares fresh, delicious meals daily. The menu includes a rotating selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner specials that might include sliced pork medallions with a Dijon cream sauce or hotcakes and sausage. Several entrees are always available, including a chef salad, omelet or grilled chicken breast. Additionally, a bistro offers snacks, coffee and tea, which residents can access anytime.

Stonecrest’s unmatched focus on lifestyle extends to delivering a personalized experience, ensuring each resident has the care they need. For friends and family members with Alzheimer’s or dementia, Stonecrest at Burlington Creek not only offers dedicated memory care suites, but also certified “Music and Memory” programming. Part of a National Research Initiative, “Music and Memory” is designed to focus on musical aptitude and appreciation for residents with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. Music has proven to be an effective way to reach beyond the disease and forge a connection with the person.

Through “Music and Memory,” a resident’s personal music is used to help with the recall process. As a result, the music not only enhances the life of memory care residents, but also helps strengthen emotional ties to various situations. The marketing team agreed that having that recall is a powerful experience for residents.

Experience – that’s one of the key words when describing Stonecrest at Burlington Creek. From beloved daily activities like taking the dog for a walk, enjoying a cup of coffee by the outdoor fireplace or watching a movie to benefiting from a full spectrum of care and services including laundry, housekeeping and Vibrant Life and “Music and Memory” programming, Stonecrest at Burlington Creek is designed to help residents create and savor the experiences that are so critical to an engaging, fulfilling life.

And with services that include a caring, professional staff that’s available 24 hours a day, an on-staff nurse and a state-of-the-art emergency call system, residents’ friends and family members have peace of mind in knowing that their loved ones are receiving the highest level of care.

Senior living is too often classified as a stark, sterile experience focused only on meeting basic needs – yet it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead, it’s the start of a new chapter, one in which the resident continues to lead a life steeped in activity, enjoyment and connection. That chapter begins at Stonecrest at Burlington Creek. Make plans today to stop by and see the vibrant lifestyle and world-class community in person.

This story was originally published July 23, 2016 at 12:08 AM with the headline "New world-class senior living community built to help residents thrive."