A Warm Welcome: How Longview Assisted Living Makes You Feel at Home

Change can be difficult, and moving into a brand-new environment is sometimes a bit nerve-wracking. However, getting comfortable in your surroundings and making new friends is easy when you’re surrounded by friendly faces and neighbors who are eager to meet you.

At Longview Assisted Living, team members and residents greet you with a robust welcome process, making sure they do everything they can to make you feel at home right away.

Resident Opinions Matter at Longview

The team at Longview works hard to ensure residents can voice their opinions. With an open-door policy, Longview leaders are ready to answer questions and listen to feedback at any time.

A resident council meeting is also held monthly and open to any residents who want to attend. Leaders from each department, such as Admissions, Dining Services, and Activities, provide important information and updates and give residents an open forum to ask questions, discuss any concerns, and give suggestions on anything they wish to see implemented in the community.

Residents voiced that they were eager to be more involved in welcoming newcomers to the cozy community. They now enthusiastically assist the team in making sure every new resident feels comfortable and accepted in their new home.

The Difference a Friendly Neighbor Makes

When you move into Longview, current residents are notified in advance so they can be prepared to introduce themselves on your first day, offer you a friendly tour of the community, or invite you to attend an activity or dine with them. A table is reserved in the dining room for you so other residents can approach you, introduce themselves, and welcome you to your first meal.

“This new welcome process has been huge,” said Victoria Durante, CALA, Admissions Director at Longview. “Some people are more introverted than others, so they might not introduce themselves on their own or join activities. When a neighbor introduces themselves and asks you to walk to lunch or go to an activity, it makes you feel so much more included and welcomed. It’s not their job to do it; it’s something they want to do. It’s really warmed up the space.”

The team at Longview always ensures that the experience is personalized to each resident’s needs – the first day in a new home can be overwhelming, and it’s important to always follow the new resident’s lead.

“Some of our residents have been in their homes for 60 years,” said Victoria. “It’s a shift living with other people. We make sure each resident’s preferences are considered – on the first day, some residents don’t want to go to the dining room for a meal. We let them know there’s always the opportunity for them to take a tour or attend an activity. Some residents prefer to ease in, and we don’t want to overwhelm them.”

In addition to consistently checking in with a new resident and making sure they are adjusting to their new home, the team at Longview proactively reaches out to current residents to ask them if they’d like to be involved with welcoming a new resident. Cultivating this warm and welcoming environment has significantly helped new and existing residents alike form meaningful friendships.

“I like to greet new people that come in and make it a point to show them around,” said Longview resident Habib Sayde. “It’s time well-spent. The first time we meet, I tell them if you have a few minutes, I’ll take you around. We’re one big happy family.”

Longview even makes residents feel welcome before they decide to move in. Resident Joan Cowie lets potential new residents tour her apartment so that they can get a feel for the community and determine if it meets their needs.

“I try to be very welcoming and helpful and answer their questions,” she said. “It gives them a nice picture of what Longview offers.”

Joan agrees that Longview cultivates a warm and inviting atmosphere that she’s glad to be a part of. “Everyone always greets one another; it’s amazing,” she said. “Instead of sitting home and watching the world go by, at Longview, you have so much to do. I’m very happy here.”

Making Your Space Your Own

Helping new residents meet new friends isn’t the only way Longview makes them feel at home. At Longview, you are also able to personalize and decorate your suite to your tastes and personal style. As a new resident, you may choose from several available paint colors, bring your own furniture and décor, or even bring in an interior decorator to help you turn the space into your own cozy haven. The ability to make your suite your own goes a long way in ensuring you are comfortable and content in the community.

Is Longview Assisted Living Right for You?

Longview provides personalized, compassionate care in a secure, engaging, and warm environment that encourages independence and socialization. If you believe Longview might be right for you, we would love to welcome you home. For more information about Longview or to schedule a tour of our beautiful community, please visit ChristianHealthNJ.info/Longview, or contact Victoria Durante, Admissions Director, at VDurante@ChristianHealthNJ.org or (201) 848-4303.