Senior Care with Heart and History
Senior care is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and it’s because of this that the all-inclusive retirement facility The Village at Summerville has been offering multiple levels of care for its 350 clients for 70 years. This includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation.
A Mission Built on Compassion
Having worked at The Village at Summerville for five years, Ashley Edwards, residential sales manager, is used to addressing a wide range of client needs and communicating those needs to the broader community to increase awareness of the facility’s impact.
“Most people have a misconception about senior living. It’s not just a nursing home,” Edwards said.
From working alongside the local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club to serving as chairperson for a local school improvement committee, Edwards ensures that The Village at Summerville immediately comes to mind when Lowcountry residents think of a trustworthy community organization.
Financial Planning and Future Care
One oft-overlooked factor of senior living that Edwards regularly addresses is financial planning. She said most people do not consider the cost of their family members’ care several years into the future.
The passion Edwards feels for senior care partially stems from her previous career as a Montessori teacher in Virginia’s schools; however, it was caring for her grandmother – who had Alzheimer’s – that brought her to the Lowcountry.
“While trying to decide what the next steps in my life looked like, my mind kept going back again and again to the time I spent caring for my grandmother,” she said.
Shortly after realizing this, she landed a role as an activities director at a senior living facility in 2016, loved it and has remained in the same type of role since. “How do I help this individual make the best decision moving forward? Whether it’s with us at The Village at Summerville or somewhere else,” she said.
A True Life Plan Community
The Village at Summerville is one of six Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina senior communities spread across the state. Its independent living options include apartment-style residences, brick cottages and patio homes, with accommodations ranging from one to three bedrooms.
A factor that sets The Village at Summerville apart from other senior facilities is its shared dining model. Members of the community all dine together in the assisted living area, which offers them more opportunities to socialize, meet staff and enjoy a change of scenery.
Dedicated Staff and Exceptional Care
Those in assisted living have a number of certified professionals on staff dedicated to their care, including an in-house therapy team, a registered dietitian, a registered nurse, seven licensed practical nurses and various doctors — all of which exceeds Department of Health and Environmental Control staffing requirements.
“At the end of the day, we are a compassionate, Christian ministry, and we are here to help you find whatever level of care you are seeking,” Edwards added. “And as a nonprofit, we’ve never asked anyone to leave due to a lack of money.”
Looking Toward the Future
The Village at Summerville is currently adding a croquet court to its facility, and, since it is using only about half of its land, Edwards said expansion is expected in the coming years.
Anyone looking for a retirement community that offers an entire menu of options dedicated to individualized care should consider stopping by for a tour.
Schedule a Tour
If you are seeking a retirement community that offers individualized care, vibrant social opportunities and a trusted reputation, consider visiting The Village at Summerville. The community is located at 201 W. 9th St., Summerville, SC. For more information, visit prescommunities.org or check out its Facebook page.
By Colby Denton
