Cambridge Place Retirement Community

WELCOME!

Welcome to Cambridge Place, an Independent Living Retirement Community located in Great Falls, Montana.

Our mission is to preserve seniors' ability to live independently.

My name is Eric Spragg and I am the Community Relations Coordinator at Cambridge Place. I'll be your host for your tour through our community.

Thanks for joining us!

Lobby

What Is Life Like At Cambridge Place?

Since we are a 100% independent living retirement community, life at Cambridge Place is anything but dull. Many people misunderstand what kind of things go on in an apartment complex/community such as ours. They envision "activities" such as paper mache, arts & crafts with glue, crayons & so on...things kids do in grade school. We don't think of our independent lifestyle as "activity" based. Instead, we have social events/functions and a whole wealth of things going on daily and monthly for our residents to choose from.

There is no limitation in the choices one has regarding their free time just because they are living at Cambridge Place. Your apartment is your home and you can do whatever you want. Many of our residents attend the symphony and are season ticket holders, travel, take vacations, go on cruises, serve on boards, golf, belong to civic organizations, etc. The idea that your life has to slow down when you move into a retirement community is a fallacy. As a matter of fact, it can be quite the opposite.

As for what we provide in the community for our residents, the list is impressive. We play Bingo weekly, have daily exercise classes, hold bible studies, go on bus tours, play Texas Hold'em a couple times a week, have musical entertainment several times a month, etc. There are some larger events such as Bingo Bonanza and the Luau, which has turned into our signature event. We have rented a dance floor and brought in live musical entertainment for our special "Balls". We have something going on every day of the year. One thing is for sure, We Enjoy Life! Residents can participate in some, none or all of what we offer; it is their decision.

Our signature event - The Luau, held in the Courtyard

The residents at Cambridge Place come and go as they please. This is an independent lifestyle with no set rules. Nursing homes, hospitals and the like have rules for visitation, outings, exercise and so forth. We don't. It is your home, your apartment, your life and therefore, your rules.

So really...What is life like at Cambridge Place?...It truly is what you want it to be!

Living At Cambridge Place

Living at Cambridge Place is just like living in your own home with some very beneficial differences:

* 24 hour on-site staff

* Weekly housekeeping and linen service

* Daily continental breakfast, lunch and dinner

* Scheduled transportation

* Concierge service

* Beauty/barber shop

* Essentials shop

We also have a library and offer public Internet accessibility.

Our apartments are designed with safety and ease of navigation in mind.

We have four apartment types:

* Studio - 425'-455'

* One-bedroom - 586' - 772'

* Two-bedroom - 835' - 966'

* Two-bedroom/two bath - 988' - 1009'

Double occupancy$500.00/monthly

All apartments include:

* Full kitchen
* Individual temperature controls

* Emergencey pull cords in the bedrooms and bathrooms

* State of the art fire prevention and detection system
* Cable TV

Other amenities include:

Personal mail box

* Continental breakfast and two meals served daily in our elegant dining room

* 24/hr beverage bar, which includes milk, orange juice, cranberry juice, ice tea, hot tea, soda, cappuccino, hot chocolate and coffee

* Temporary room service, if not feeling well

When To Consider Moving

The statement I hear the most often is, "When something happens, I'll give you a call." My follow-up question is, "What is that something that happens going to be?" The reason I ask this is to point out that "something" that happens could be a slip, fall or an accident so severe it could make one unfit for Independent Living causing them to leap frog over Independent Living and directly into Assisted Living or Nursing Home care.

My advice is simply this: When you start to notice things are becoming much more difficult to carry out round the house and performing duties once considered menial are becoming more taxing, it is at this time you should think about making a move to an Independent Retirement Community. It will be one of the healthiest and safest decisions you make for yourself.

If any of the following situations apply to you or a loved one, perhaps it's time to consider moving to Cambridge Place:

* When you find that doing everyday occupational activities around the house, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, etc. are becoming more difficult to perform

* When walking becomes more difficult and requires more effort and conscious decision

* When maneuvering around the house becomes more difficult

* Failing eyesight

* Frequent falling

* Loss of driver's license

* Loss of social interaction

* Feelings of being burdensome to family/friends

Don't wait until it is too late. All of us here at Cambridge Place are dedicated to preserving Seniors' ability to live independently.

Retirement Living vs. Assisted Living

Everyday I talk to many couples and single people who are living independently in their own homes. Through my phone conversations and home visits, I have discovered a misunderstanding regarding what is and is not assisted living. Many people tell me they feel it’s time they think about moving into an assisted living community. When I ask them why, they say it is because they no longer want to plan & prepare meals, are tired of all the housekeeping chores, need someone to transport them because they no longer drive and basically want an easier lifestyle. Therefore, since they need this kind of assistance, many individuals are misinterpreting this as needing Assisted Living. This is not necessarily true.

Assisted Living communities (AL) have a nursing staff on site to assist with dressing, bathing, toileting, medicinal management and other health needs one may have. Care levels may vary from one community to the next based on what their licensing structure allows. They also provide meals, transportation, housekeeping, activities and an easier and safer lifestyle. Moving into an AL community also requires a medical doctor’s order permitting them to move in. In short, assisted living is more of a medical care community and people who live in AL communities require a higher level of care then residents living in Independent Retirement Communities.

Whereas Assisted Living Communities are more of a medical care community, Independent Retirement Communities (RET) are exactly the opposite. RET communities have no nursing or medical staff on- site and no doctor’s orders are required to move into an RET community. In essence, RET communities are Senior Apartment Complexes. RET communities do provide a wealth of amenities including meals, transportation, housekeeping, social events/activities, safer environment, easier lifestyle and more.

Cambridge Place is such an RET community. Our resident’s rent includes everything but the telephone. We do not have “Oh by the way” charges at the end of the month. The rent is what it is and is all inclusive. The goal of Cambridge Place is to preserve an individual’s ability to live independently as long as possible by providing a safer and easier lifestyle.

If you have ever wondered what Assisted Living and Retirement Communities are all about, I urge you to visit several communities to see the differences. We want you to make an informed decision when you decide it is time for an easier lifestyle. Remember…home is no longer home if it is no longer safe.

Dining

Good nutrition is an essential part of your care here at Cambridge Place. The menu has been planned with variety and moderation in mind, and to achieve a well balanced diet. Your daily menu may vary slightly due to the special diet ordered by your physician to meet your needs. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding your menu, diet, or service.

Everyday features a continental breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each meal includes coffee, tea or milk.

Here are current examples of our menus:

Lunch:

* Chicken Breast, Parmesan Fettuccine, Seasoned Broccoli, Garlic Bread, Hawaiian Cheesecake

* Pot Roast, Parslied Potatoes, Seasoned Broccoli, Bread/margarine, Tropical Fruit

* BBQ Pork Ranch Beans, Cole Slaw, Cornbread/margarine, Apple Streusel

* Beef Stew, Biscuit/margarine, Strawberries and Cream

* Lasagna, Italian Vegetables, Garlic Bread, Parmesan Cheese, Cheesecake

* Fried Fish, Tater Tots, Cole Slaw, Hushpuppies, Tarter Sauce, Banana Pudding

* Baked Glazed Ham, Au Gratin Potatoes, Scandinavian Vegetables, Dinner Roll/margarine, Pineapple Chunks

Dinner:

* Chicken Rice Soup, Ham Salad Sandwich, 3 Bean Salad, Saltine Crackers/margarine, Mandarin Oranges

* Cheesy Chicken w/Mushroom Sauce, Buttered Noodles, Sugar Snap Peas, Dinner Roll/margarine, Ice Cream

* Soup Du Jour, Deli Sandwich, Pasta Salad, Relish Plate, Saltine Crackers, Mayonnaise/Salad Dressing, Spiced Peaches

* Shrimp Salad, Tomato Wedges, Dinner Roll/margarine, Chilled Peaches, Sugar Cookie

* Chicken Tenders, Honey Mustard Sauce, Mashed Potatoes/gravy, Buttered Cornbread/margarine, Fresh Grapes

* Hamburger on Bun, Potato Salad, Relish Plate, Seasonal Fresh Fruit/ Mayonnaise/Salad Dressing, Ketchup, Mustard

*Vegetable Quiche, Marinated Vegetable Salad, Muffin/margarine, Carrot Cake

Social Events And Celebrations

Living at Cambridge Place is exciting! Social events are a very large part of our community. We have live entertainment throughout the year, go on bus tours, visit other cities and towns and have outdoor celebrations, weather permitting.

We have something going on every day throughout the year, which provides plenty of opportunity for residents to socialize and gain new friendships. It is very hard to feel lonely in a community such as ours.