Grandma Margie and the Bellettini

Everyone in our family got a lovely surprise last week, when my grandma told us that she is going to be moving up to Bellevue from her home in Denver. She has spent all 85 years of her life in Colorado, 57 of which have been spent in her current house, so undoubtedly, this is a huge and overwhelming step for her. Between her desire to not maintain her house anymore, not wanting to live alone, needing help with minor things (appointments, etc), and wanting to be closer to family, the pros of her moving here far outweigh the pros for her to stay in Denver.  I think I speak for everyone in our family when I say that I'm grateful she is making the choice to do this because she wants to, and isn't being forced to because of life circumstances. Grandma wants to make this move, and I imagine there is great comfort for her knowing that she made the decision, and isn't moving because she didn't have another option. That should make this major life change, a lot more exciting and bearable for her. In different ways, our families are committed to making this transition as smooth, and easy as possible for her.

My grandma is a special breed-healthy, self sufficient in most parts of her life, active, and full of energy. She is not in need of any assisted living at this point, and doesn't need many of the things you would think an 85 year old would. Therefore the goal was to find a community for her that provides her all the cushy-ness she deserves, independence, opportunities to socialize and be in a vibrant environment, and where care is offered to her if/when she needs it. Her list of needs and wants were more than fulfilled when we found the Bellettini in downtown Bellevue, a retirement community geared toward preservation of life and fun. My mom and I went to look at it this past weekend, and were overwhelmed with gratitude that this place exists. There is such a focus on maintaining the residents' dignity, while giving them a place to feel safe and taken care of. The Bellettini does a magnificent job of making sure that life is valued. There is not a shadow of doubt in anyone's mind, that grandma HAS to live here! Here are few of the highlights and a few pictures...

1) Its looks and feels like a 5 star hotel. There is nothing "medical" about it, even though that is fully available anytime it's needed. It is beautiful, comfortable, and completely free of any institution-like qualities. It looks like it's straight out of Italy!

2) Assisted living is available as needed, without the residents having to move wings or rooms. The caretakers come to your room, give you what you need until you don't need it anymore, and then they leave. Privacy is granted when these services are needed. A HUGE plus for grandma.

3) There isn't a "3 meals a day" plan, and no cafeteria. The Bellettini gives it's residence a $300 food gift card per month (included in the rent) to use at their restaurants, which are public and make their food from scratch. Grandma will get yummy food and can even take us out to eat every once and awhile ;). Continental breakfast with fresh fruit and pastries are available M-F and isn't part of the $300 gift card.

4) There is a private Cadillac that takes the residents where they need/want to go, instead of taking a bus with others, where you are at everyone else's schedule and mercy.

5) The apartments are only 2 years old, very spacious, and accommodating to whatever you need. They have dishwashers, stoves, washer and dryers in the room, and very well lit.

6) The Bellettini is right next door to the library, one of grandma's favorite places to go :).

7) The Bellettini is in downtown Bellevue, close to all of the things our families do. We will be able to visit often, join her in any activity that is offered, pick her up and take her to things we do, and it's close to Overlake Hospital.

        THE BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCE

        3RD FLOOR APARTMENT-SOUTH FACING

           BEDROOM

       LIVING ROOM W/ TWO-SIDED FIREPLACE

      BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY

 

THE VIEW

 

                                           
               2ND FLOOR APARTMENT- WEST FACING
   (similar layout, just no two sided fireplace and green out the windows)

                                   
     COMMON AREA AND THE RESTAURANT, "TOSCANA"

                         
          www.thebellettini.com

Those are just a few of the highlights that stuck out to us. There are so many other things that are available to her, that will make this transition for her as easy as possible, but those were a few of our favorites.  We're hoping/planning to get her here sooner than later, and can't wait to be able to spend more time with her. It's amazing that through Bobby and I moving from to Phoenix and back, my parents having their house on the market and planning to move to Arizona, and my Uncle George and Aunt Laura trying to move to Idaho, that we've all landed back here in the Bellevue area. This is definitely a huge gift to my grandma. She can feel secure in moving here, knowing plenty of family members will be around to love and take of her, and that none of us have any plans to go anywhere else. 

So here's to my 85 year old grandma taking the biggest risk she has in her entire life, and to all of us getting to enjoy her in this phase of her life at the Bellettini!

We love you so much, gramma!