Autumn Ridge Residences offer seniors a way to remain independent.
“We are independent living and residential care, we are not a nursing home,” said Marie Stelling, community relations director. “We are not even assisted living.”
Autumn Ridge is a senior living community in Herculaneum. Rent for an apartment includes meals, basic utilities, housekeeping, laundry service and transportation to appointments and recreational activities.
Many residents choose Autumn Ridge after their spouse dies.
“A lot of times, the husbands don’t know how to cook and clean, and the wives can’t physically maintain the house,” Stelling said. “But sometimes they need more assistance with daily activities like maybe assistance with bathing, medication management, meals, getting to and from appointments, getting their medication, stuff like that.”
Autumn Ridge has onsite health care services.
“We offer wellness programs, fitness classes, nutritious meals, and there is staff on site 24/7 to address a need,” she said. “I would say overall, improvement of quality of life is the goal. My goal is to intervene before somebody needs to be in a nursing home, keep them engaged, mobile, active and prevent them from riding the health care roller coaster.”
She said living in a senior community can reduce loneliness and restore the parent-child relationship.
“The parent goes from feeling like a parent to more feeling like the child because they’re relying on the child for all these things,” Stelling said. “When they come here, we take some of that burden away. You don’t have to call every time you need maintenance or when you need to go shopping or to a doctor. You can ask us for that help. Now when your child or your loved ones visit, they’re just visiting because they love and want to see you.”
For more information, call 636-931-8400.