Smart Options: Mari De Villa

When seniors make lifestyle transitions into retirement communities or skilled nursing facilities, it can be a daunting prospect. There often are concerns that such a move will cut them off from the community without access to things they enjoy. But that’s not the case with Mari de Villa. The luxury retirement community in Town and Country is anything but isolated or boring. There is live music every day and a variety of exercise activities to keep residents moving, not to mention weekly excursions to restaurants, museums and local performances. The community, founded in 1960, hosts its own events like an Oktoberfest celebration and the upcoming Town and Country Community Tree Lighting Nov. 25. “Our guests have fun and enjoy participating,” says president and CEO Fred Wiesehan.

The array of activities offered by Mari de Villa is not all that sets it apart. According to Wiesehan, one of the most important things to consider when looking at senior living options is the range of care offered. “You want yourself or your loved one in a place that can adjust to the changes that inevitably happen as people age,” he says. Mari de Villa’s skilled nursing license allows it to offer a continuum of care, from extremely independent and active to 24-hour nursing care, addressing the needs of guests as they arise. “The great thing is our rates are all-inclusive,” Wiesehan says. “There are no extra add-ons for needs that come up as people’s conditions change.”

The skilled nursing team at Mari de Villa creates an individualized care plan for each resident. They include orders from doctors, diets set up by a registered dietitian, any necessary therapies and guests’ preferences, along with the general details of their care. “We tailor care plans for each guest,” Wiesehan explains. “We can adapt them to any changes in their health and lifestyles, allowing our seniors to age in place.”

Accommodations at Mari de Villa include independent living at the Villa Estates. These villas, ranging in size from 1,000 to more than 3,000 square feet, include luxury finishes like hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The Villa West and Villa East buildings offer skilled nursing care tailored to each resident’s individual needs. “In our skilled care facility, we have guests who can still drive, but they also have other needs,” Wiesehan says. “We help them so they get to enjoy the community.” Villa West and Villa East also include a full therapy department that offers physical, occupational, speech and rehabilitation services.

Mari de Villa is truly a family business. Wiesehan’s wife, Mary Kay, and their sons, Fritz and Joe, are involved in the day-to-day operations. “We are very hands-on and family-oriented,” he says. The fact that Mari de Villa is a single location allows Wiesehan, his family and the staff to devote their full attention to the property and its residents, according to Wiesehan. “We aren’t focusing on any other location,” he explains. “We are just trying to provide our best level of care here.”