Respite care is often viewed as a short-term solution. It offers a place for seniors to safely recover after hospitalization and access rehabilitation services. It also provides peace of mind for family members, knowing that their loved one is safe and cared for. For new resident Joan M., respite care also gave her the chance to experience the Artman community before it became her new home—and the opportunity to meet people and get used to routines before moving day.

Joan’s path to Artman began when she was admitted to the hospital.  While at a different facility to regain her strength, she fell and landed back in the hospital again.

That’s when Joan’s daughter Kathy spoke to her childhood friend who is longtime Artman staff member and she recommended Artman. The family decided that Joan would go to Artman for rehabilitation, where she spent several weeks. Following rehab, Joan transitioned to Personal Care for a two-week stay in respite care while she continued healing.

Each step along the way, Joan formed bonds with Artman staff and residents, and began to fall in love with the community.

When it was time to decide what came next, Joan paid a visit to the house where she had spent most of her life. “I went home and looked at this big house. I realized I couldn’t take care of it,” she says. “Then this apartment opened up with the two rooms. They showed it to me, and I grabbed it.”

Graciously decorated with paintings from home, personal mementos, and a new blue loveseat—her favorite color—Joan has had an easy time settling in. She now enjoys days filled with shared meals and friendly tablemates, weekly hair appointments on-site, and Sunday dinners with her brother-in-law—a tradition she’d kept for more than 40 years, but had difficulty maintaining before she moved to Artman.

For Kathy, her mother’s transition to Artman has been a blessing. “She’s safe here,” Kathy says. “She’s more socially active than she was at home, and I can’t stress enough that everybody here, from corporate staff to the painters, are wonderful.”

For some, respite care is simply a temporary stay while they deal with a medical issue. For Joan, it became a journey filled with healing, connection, and community. She is optimistic about this new chapter.

“I really love it here, and I’m happy it all worked out.”