Resident Life Staffers are the 'Heart and Soul' of Tallgrass Creelk Retirement Community in Overland Park, KS

OVERLAND PARK, KS (April 27, 2011) Ask any of the more than 200 people living at Tallgrass Creek retirement community in Overland Pak, KS, what makes life there so easy and enjoyable and chances are they will mention one of the members of the Resident Life team.

Jill Cline, Cara Freed, and Michael Hernandez work together to support all aspects of residents’ well-being—from the physical and intellectual to the spiritual and emotional. This energetic and compassionate trio is frequently described by community members and employees alike as the “heart and soul” of Tallgrass Creek.

Jill Cline’s position as community resource coordinator keeps her buzzing around the Tallgrass Creek campus day in and day out. One of her primary roles is the staff liaison for the dozens of resident-run clubs, committees, and volunteer activities. If a resident wants to meet other people interested in arts or literature, he or she goes to Cline to help make the connection. Or, if a group of residents wants to see a new activity on campus—be it a painting class or volunteering with local school children—Cline is the woman who can make it happen.

“I love the variety in what I do and the ability I have to change the face of aging,” Cline says. “For instance, people who were [formerly] burdened by chores or mobility issues can come here and be involved in so much all under one roof—that could be everything from learning to ballroom dancing, sharing a drink with a new friend in the bistro while listening to live music, or reengaging work skills by working in our [on-site] store.”

Resident Trudy Brown describes Cline as incredibly energetic and enthusiastic. Brown says she and her fellow residents appreciate that Cline takes the time to listen to their thoughts and ideas about campus clubs and committees. The result is a community where people can engage in activities they truly enjoy, rather than having a social calendar created for them without their input.
“[Cline] just works like a tiger,” Brown says. “She has a lot of very interesting ideas of what to do with her job, and one of the things she does very nicely is she talks with residents to see if they have any ideas.”
Enhancing emotional well-being.

Growing older, moving to a new home, coping with loss, forming new friendships, transitioning from work to retirement—all of these things can impact an individual’s emotional well-being. Fortunately for Tallgrass Creek residents, they can always find a nearby support system in Cara Freed, who is professionally trained to assist people in navigating life’s transitions. One of Freed’s key roles is to help new residents settle into the worry-free lifestyle at Tallgrass Creek. But Freed’s support doesn’t end once people have moved in—her door is always open to community members and their families.

“It’s fulfilling for me to help people seek out their interests and share celebrations as well as cope with the not so wonderful times,” Freed says. “It doesn’t really feel like work to me because this is such a warm environment.”

Michael Hernandez’s job is to help Tallgrass Creek residents stay in top physical shape so they can remain active, independent, and engaged. He runs the community’s on-site fitness and aquatic center and teaches group exercise classes, conducts one-on-one personal training sessions, and helps residents execute personalized physical therapy programs prescribed by Tallgrass Creek’s on-site physician Dr. Austin Welsh.

Hernandez says that what he enjoys most about his job is observing the transformation in residents who seek his assistance.
“When people first come to see me, their physical condition might not be where it should be,” Hernandez says. “I can show them different ways to regain and maintain physical fitness and wellness through exercise. After a while, they have a better sense of independence as well as more confidence.”

At the end of the day, Cline says it’s teamwork and the coordination of Resident Life services that really makes a difference in the lives of the people who live at Tallgrass Creek. For example, if a resident experiences balance issues that Hernandez can improve through exercise, then that person becomes more mobile and can take advantage of the wide range of activities Cline coordinates. Cline, Freed, and Hernandez work together to make sure all of the elements of residents’ well-being are proactively addressed, so residents can focus fully on living their retirement to the fullest.

Trudy Brown sums it up: “Whatever happens here seems very smooth, well studied, and well done.”

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Talltrass Creek, which has more than 200 residents, is managed by Erickson Living. It is located at 13800 Metcalfe Avenue in Overland Park, KS.

Mel Tansill
Public Affairs Manager
Tallgrass Creek
13800 Metcalfe Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66223
Cell: 410-241-7614
EMail: Mel.Tansill@Erickson.com

This release was published on openPR.