As the Lodge population grows, its cultural directive is to follow our very simple Values and Mission Statement:

• Is it in the best interest of our Residents?
• Is it in the best interest of our Residents Family?
• Is it in the best interest of our Community?

We have this statement written on the wall at the Lodge, and will measure everything we do against it. 

An example of this directive would be our latest conversation about what we might do for Thanksgiving. Would we have a very special meal for in house residents and their visiting families? If residents were going home with family, would we just work on making proper arrangements for their trip?  This is all pretty common care home stuff.

So we kept asking the question, "What about community?"  What if we invited an in-need family or two to the Lodge and treated them to the best Thanksgiving ever? When we presented this question to some residents, they challenged that maybe we should go shopping for food the families could take home afterwards.  Or, what if the families have kids we could adopt for Christmas? 

The residents very quickly started taking basic ideas to the next level. Not to mention, they became excited by the opportunity to forget their own problems.

At the Lodge, we believe that people are happiest (at any age) when they are focused on others.