"THE RIDE" and "THE VISIT"
"THE RIDE"

In order for me to get to visit a friend of mine who is in a rehab I had to take the MBTA ride. I still drive but the rehabilitation center is located in an area that I am not familiar with. When I called to book the ride, I told them I wanted to be at my destination at 3:00 p.m. and be picked up for the return trip at 4:30 p.m.



The night before they called me to let me know that the driver would pick me up at 1:30 p.m. ( by car it would probably take 45 minutes) Since I am not the only passenger, they schedule the ride according to where other people are going and make the pick-ups accordingly. One person had to be dropped off and another had to be picked up. That way you get a grand tour that you could do without.

There was an exception to what I just said. I was born in the city of Chelsea and this was my destination. I haven't visited Chelsea in years and if I didn't know where I was I would think I was in a totally foreign place. We drove down the main street which once was the main shopping center of the city. As I remember "Broadway" - there were dress shops, shoe stores, a bank, a coffee shop, a movie theatre, a bakery and a 5 and 10 cent store.

I saw nothing familiar - a few grocery stores and a number of "cash your check stores." I have been out of Chelsea for a good 50 years so what can a person expect? Change happens.

Even with that grand tour I did arrive at my destination at 3:00 p.m.

"The Visit"

My friend is at the Leonard Florence Center for Living. This rehabilitation center is the nation's first urban model Green House. All residents have their own bedrooms, bath and shower. A few feet away is a large dining room, living room and kitchen.

When I entered the lobby I felt like I was walking into the large lobby of a beautifully decorated hotel. To the left I saw a cafe, a bakery and a Kosher deli.



As the brochure said, "these amenities allow you to literally "get out of the house," socializing with family, friends and others in the community."

I checked in at the desk and was told my friend was on the 5th floor - I didn't get her room number and thought, when I get up there I would ask at the desk. Surprise - there is no nurses station - it still looks like a hotel - The floor is divided into two sections, each section has 10 rooms. I finally did find someone who directed me to her room.

She's getting the best of care, is in good spirits and hopefully will be able to return to her home in the near future. By the way, with all the good things that the center offers, it still has one improvement to be made - the food has to be better!!

Update 8/30:
Boston Globe: Model homes - A ‘Green House’ in Chelsea provides skilled or elder care on a family-like site

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