"North" Opens with Fanfare

Choctaw House North officially opened in style on a clear patch of day in January.  With authentic Choctaw cuisine, Choctaw Singers, Prayer in the Choctaw Language, a touching dedication, and a Native American Smudge Ritual – the day was filled with great times, great memories and high spirits.  Shortly upon opening, "North" was graced with 4 wonderful residents, truly a blessing.

The Genesis of "North"
By Co-Owner
David Hahklotubbe, M.A.

Choctaw House North was borne from many different influences.  First, as a Gerontologist who has worked in the field of long term care for over 10 years now, mainly with those suffering from memory impairments, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge about maintaining a quality of life in these settings.  One of the first things I witnessed as a budding administrator was that it is all but impossible to maintain or increase a quality of life for those with memory impairment in a large facility.  The natural response of a person with memory impairment is to have anxiety.  Anxiety is not avoidable, it’s a question of management. 

In my first experience, I was running a 22-bed facility, my next experience was 34.  In each setting, there were major issues with the cohabitation of those in different stages of their disease.  Those in first stage, were alert enough to understand their surrounding, to witness the decline of those in third stage as well as fall victim the typical behaviors elicited by third stage dementia.  This didn’t seem right.  Those in third stage also did not benefit from the “Sundowning” anxieties and agitation of those with first or second stage wanting to “go home”.  But these examples were only the tip of the iceberg.  Mealtimes were a failure, activities were all but impossible to lead or have any type of participation and the care staff were burning out.  Needless to say, I walked away from these experiences knowing that there needed to be a change. 

Choctaw House was designed to accommodate and assist those with later stages of memory impairment, dementia.  However, we found ourselves unable to assist those in earlier stages, effectively neglecting a large population in need.  Ideally, a person with memory impairment receives a consistent continuum of care as they decline.  In fact, it is essential, to avoid a loss of quality in their lives.  Choctaw House North was designed from the ground up to accommodate those in first or early second stage of memory impairment, or Mild Cognitive Impairment.  As the resident ages in place and begins to decline, they are then afforded the opportunity to continue their care with our loving care staff, who flex back and forth between homes.  The ideal model, which we may pursue, would be to have 3 homes.  One for first stage, one for second stage and the last for third stage and hospice.  Depending on the community’s response to our current pilot project, we may execute on that plan. 

We are confident that this model will be the gold standard once the baby boomers enter the realm of long-term care.  Once again, and pardon me for boasting, Choctaw House is ahead of it’s time.  Come see for yourself.

David

Before, During and After, A Pictorial Display

Choctaw House North has Broken Ground, Literally...

Floor Plan for Choctaw House North.

Choctaw House North is operated under the same philosophies of Choctaw House. The layout is the only major difference, with what we see as a significant improvement in the physical plant structure. Having spent the last 4 years daydreaming of how the second Choctaw House would look, we scouted Napa for the ideal house to retrofit to our needs. Well, actually, to the needs and common requests of our clients. Some of the obvious upgrades are:

• A beautiful, lush sitting and activity area on a flat surface, no more dreaded ramps!
• Better access to restrooms
• Bigger rooms
• An adjoined kitchen and living room
• The tranquility of living in a court
• A real office, in the house!
• Much better parking
• Light, Light and more Natural Light!

We are always accepting applications for residents for both of our communities. Please contact us for a complimentary geriatric assessment. If your needs don't fit our community we will give you a referral to where they will be met. Unlike most of our competition, we don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole for the sake of revenue - our mission is to increase the quality of life of our elderly population, not undermine it.

By opening Choctaw House North, we look forward to serving a larger segment of our local elder community. Little by little, our goal is to expand on a regular basis to accommodate the demands of our conscientious consumers. Thanks to the recognition and support of our local health care community, and the continued patronage of our discerning clients and family, we know we will achieve this goal.

- David

Choctaw House North 2529 Vine Hill Ct Ct. Napa, CA 94558	RCFE License # 286801829
Telephone: 707.265.8722	Contact us by E-Mail