Being at Carlton Senior Living


By Ellis Harms

Until it happens to you, you must wonder what living in a “facility” like this is like. Carlton Senior Living. (Don’t call it an old folks home even if that is accurate!) Most of the residents here use walkers or are in a wheelchair. Many need to be pushed by a “care-giver” (most residents call them pee-cees).

First off – the food! Everyone asks about the food! For breakfast, lunch, and dinner all you do is get to a table, and the service begins. There is a pre-planned menu, but you can order anything you want. The waitresses can’t do enough for you. They take your specific order, and this service is available all day long! The dining room is large and attractive, with booths and tables available. There is never “assigned seating”! No cooking and no shopping. You just appear! The food is good and varied. If you have a complaint, just tell ‘em.

You’ve come into the building through huge sliding glass doors at the entrance. To your immediate right is the front desk and receptionist. To your left the dining room. A huge aquarium, filled with goldfish of all sizes, dominates the hallway. Beyond that is a spacious living room featuring a fireplace and grand piano.

Let’s go to my room! It’s on 3rd floor so we must take the elevator; we travel a long hall to get there. A couple rooms have their doors open. One, a small room, private, for a small group of 8 or 10.

The next room, called the P.E. room, is large, and where all large groups meet for morning exercises, movies, etc. In the many halls throughout the building, there are large, planted pots and, of course, large paintings on the walls.

Across the hall is the huge physical therapy room. Of course, it is equipped with many machines and a variety of workout devices.

We travel in the elevator to the third floor and take a few steps to my room – my home! My room (#319) consists of two fair-sized rooms about 14’ x 30’. There is a bathroom, shower, and closet attached to the bedroom, which holds a queen-sized bed since I moved here with a wife.

As you walked in, you came through a small kitchenette which contains a sink, a microwave, and a refrigerator. I think every room has these conveniences. I’ve glued watercolor paintings to the wall (42 to be exact) all about 4” x 6” and matted and created what I call a Bulletin Board of my artist friend Lois Need’s work. She writes about once a week and always includes a detailed watercolor masterpiece.

On the wall in my living room, I also have a family Bulletin Board, which features my wife, three kids and three grand kids. You see large paintings on my walls – two landscapes I’ve done in oils, and a huge watercolor a friend brought to me, here in Sacramento, from his home in Pioneer, California. He brought them when he learned my original paintings from him burned in Paradise. I also have a favorite painting in oils I did of large white puff balls I’d given my sister in Washington, and she brought to my living room. Besides a huge couch and recliner, I have a large TV set on shelves that hold all my records, etc.

Out of my 3rd story window, which is almost covered with my indoor plants, I can see the moon, fireworks, and many redwood trees, as well as rooftops. I watch birds fly about and I overlook our well-maintained courtyard. Below the window are my climate controls. If I need heat, all I do is press a button. If I need it cooler, all I do is press a button. 

On Friday, we always have a happy hour with guest musicians. Our activities director keeps a full schedule of events. Occasionally, an “outing” is offered. Carlton owns two shuttle buses. Once a week an outing is offered to shop at Target, Winco, Rite-Aid, etc. Occasionally a big trip is offered, like going to the zoo or to the Crocker Art Gallery. Try to make doctor or dental appointments on Mondays or Tuesdays when a shuttle is offered. When I need a specific item I ask Craig, one of the drivers, to get it for me.

And there’s always a Bingo game scheduled of course. Residents like Bingo.  

In general, I’m happy at Carlton Senior Living. Everyone is friendly and tries to help. I like my 3rd floor “home” and remain grateful. My 3 kids are very faithful and in close contact! Neil, my son, lives in Citrus Heights – that’s why I live here. Daughter Gale lives in Marysville about an hour from here. Daughter Dawn in SF and is in the opera, orchestra, and teaches at Stanford, and is active in the SF Conservatory.

 

 


4 comments


  • Peggy

    Your description reminds me of what going on a cruise is like‼️ No worries about grocery shopping, meal prep, weeding the garden, cleaning house, doing laundry, stoking the fire for heat, etc. Plus you have the benefits of entertainment, gaming, a view from your window and excursions‼️
    Take care❤️🥰


  • Peggy

    Your description reminds me of what going on a cruise is like‼️ No worries about grocery shopping, meal prep, weeding the garden, cleaning house, doing laundry, stoking the fire for heat, etc. Plus you have the benefits of entertainment, gaming, a view from your window and excursions‼️
    Take care❤️🥰


  • Peggy

    Your description reminds me of what going on a cruise is like‼️ No worries about grocery shopping, meal prep, weeding the garden, cleaning house, doing laundry, stoking the fire for heat, etc. Plus you have the benefits of entertainment, gaming, a view from your window and excursions‼️
    Take care❤️🥰


  • Marsha

    I love you SO much…Good job, old man…your spirit seems high, I hope they are… I really missed you at camp, but I understand. I can relate to a lot your blog entry, based on my own parents living situation. I’m gonna do my best to pay you a visit this fall…again, I love you SO much, my uncle Ellis!


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