In stark contrast to the charming appeal of the building’s exterior, the interior had been completely renovated with all the contemporary luxuries and amenities to further enhance quality of life for the residents. The doors opened to a huge concierge desk with natural stacked stone wall panels to accent the cream and gray color scheme. Vinyl tile floors were made to look like wood planks running throughout the lobby, and a wall fountain acted as ambient music to the atmosphere. And since Blessed Haven prided themselves on creating a quaint home-y feel by capping their occupancy at twenty residents, the facility was able to maintain the appeal and cleanliness of a five-star hotel.

Deven approached the desk and punched in her four-digit PIN on the iPad. All the staff knew her by face, but as customary, she fished her driver’s license from her wallet. Betty, the older woman who’d called her earlier, was behind the desk and she immediately looked up through the glasses perched on her nose.

“Oh. you got down here fast,” she said with a smile.

Well, you did make it sound urgent. Deven nodded politely. “It was an easy drive,” she said instead, accepting the visitor badge. “How is she? Better?”

“A little bit. Jan told her you were on the way, so she perked up a bit.”

Deven relaxed at the mention of her mother’s primary nurse. If anyone could handle her mother’s sporadic tantrums, it was definitely Jan.

“By the way, we’ve got some fun activities coming up next month. We already sent this by email.” Betty passed a calendar across the desk, the dates marked and color-coded with a host of recreational events; an ice cream social, movie night on the lawn (weather permitting), a tailgate party, and a senior citizen dance were just some of the highlights. Like every other aspect of their premium care, Blessed Haven poured a lot into keeping them busy, for their Elder Enrichment as they called it. Deven had always made a point to be as involved as possible and she wanted to keep it that way.

“You also mentioned something about my mother’s long-term care,” Deven felt compelled to mention. “Is there some kind of a problem?”

Betty’s smile fell a few degrees. “Not necessarily a problem,” she said. “But as you know, we pride ourselves on providing the best quality care for our residents. And since your father was a long-time friend, advocate, and sponsor of our lovely establishment, we would like your mother to remain with us for as long as she needs to be here.”

Deven nodded, still not following. “Okay . . .”

“However,” Betty continued. “If we feel that we can no longer provide the care and attention that your mother requires, we will have to, unfortunately, ask her to leave.”