Brookdale Lehigh marks new name

By Staff | Apr 15, 2015

MEL TOADVINE It’s now Brookdale – Lehigh, the new name for the former Sterling House on Business Way. The new name reflects its owners, Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

The assisted living complex known as Sterling House on Business Way, plans to celebrate its name change to Brookdale Lehigh with a program on April 30 at 3:30 p.m. to honor different people in the community with plaques that will be exhibited inside the assisted living facility on a Wall of Honor. They include firefighters, paramedics, local churches and school and others, said Pollie Little, executive director of what is no longer going to be called Sterling House.

“We’re excited about our new name and we know that it means more solutions for seniors and their families in Lehigh Acres, Little said.

She has invited several in the community to experience the new name at what she calls “the big reveal.”

Brookdale Lehigh, Senior Living Solutions, is located at 1251 Business Way, the street behind Homestead Rd. That’s where the celebration will be held.

The facility was opened by Altera Living Solutions and in 2007 merged with Brookdale Senior Living, a large corporation that owns several assisted living complexes all over, including other areas of Lee County.

Pollie Little

The parent name of the corporation is Brookdale Senior Living Inc. and it is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the U. S.

The company operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, with more than 650 communities in 36 states and the ability serve more than 67,000 residents.

Carol Misiolek, who helps to market the facility in Lehigh, has been with what was Sterling House for several years.

She said the complex consists of 42 apartments for its residents and in all the years, it has been 100 percent filled between 42 and 44 residents.

The complex is very attractive inside and there is a large dining room where residents can eat their meals. In addition there are several activities available to them including transportation to shopping areas and/or to their doctor and pharmacies to pick up medications.

Carol Misiolek

Also on the staff is Lynda Olson, a health and wellness director, who oversees the medical aspects of the residents.

She works with nurses who are on duty in two shifts at the complex every day and at night, with a nurse on call.

Misiolek encourages families who are looking for senior living alternatives to get in touch with her. She is recognized as a knowledgeable expert on how insurance plans work and how Medicare and Medicaid is utilized.

“My goal is to always be ready to meet with families of our residents and to offer them advice on financial matter and to even suggest alternatives for residents if financial problems were to come up.

Misiolek is acquainted with most of the senior living communities in Lee County and is even able to provide

MEL TOADVINE The Brookdale dining room where more than 40 residents have their three meals a day is the backdrop of the senior living complex’s executive director, Pollie Little, shown at right, and Carol Misiolek, who handles sales and marketing, at left. The complex was formerly The Sterling House and is celebrating its new name.

help in emergency situations where senior care facilities can be transferred should weather emergencies arise.

She said residents are able to enjoy a vast array of activities, including participating in new technology and the Internet.

“We have residents here who Skype with their families in other parts of the country that is when they can see and talk to each other face to face.

“Our residents if interested are shown how to use the Internet and how to email friends and relatives,” she said.

“I see the name change as an advantage because of the recognition Brookdale Senior Living has received across the country and locally,” she said.

While Brookdale Lehigh is not a nursing home, it provides many of the same solutions to issues that often come up in a complex that houses the elderly.

“We can take food to their apartments if they are unable to come to dinner in the dining room,” she said. “that is one example of our services. If a person exhibits dementia, then part of my job is to talk to the family members and make decisions where they can be treated,” she added.

“I am here, too, to be associated with family members in all aspects of their finances. It helps greatly when family members keep us informed about the finances of their loved ones who are residents here. Sometimes, folks live longer years and their finances can become an issue. That is where I am able to offer consolation and advice to family members.”

She also noted that Brookdale Lehigh offers all types of entertainment programs including birthday parties, anniversary parties for a husband and wife who may be residents, and other entertainment such as the recent Elvis impersonators who have visited the senior living complex.

“We have weekly movies, exercise programs and other events that are safe for our residents. We do not ever want the families of our residents to worry about their well-being.

“In that regard, there no pool here. We don’t want family members to worry about their loved ones having an accident in or near a pool. We have beautiful gardens just outside the main part of the complex and our residents are always being monitored if they need help in any way,” Misiolek said.

Manager and Executive Director Pollie Little said the event later this month is not open to the public, but to the organizations they work with throughout the year, the agencies that help them to make Brookdale Lehigh the great facility that the people of Lehigh have come to trust with their family members.

“Recognizing those in the community who help us and our residents is very important to us,” she said.

: Pollie Little

: Carol Misiolek

: MEL TOADVINE The Brookdale dining room where more than 40 residents have their three meals a day is the backdrop of the senior living complex’s executive director, Pollie Little, shown at right, and Carol Misiolek, who handles sales and marketing, at left. The complex was formerly The Sterling House and is celebrating its new name.