Hickory Estates of Pana offers living opportunities for older residents
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(PANA) — The newly remodeled entry way of Hickory Estates of Pana welcomes residents and visitors alike. The facility underwent a facelift during 2021 and last month, people of the community were given an opportunity to see all of the renovations.
Submitted Photo
(PANA) — It might be one of the best kept secrets when it comes to housing for older citizens in the Pana area. Due to COVID-19, the recent remodeling of Hickory Estates of Pana, 101 N. Hickory St. in Pana, went fairly well unnoticed. But today, it is a show place offering one- and two-bedroom care-free apartment living in a vibrant and active community of senior citizens.
Melissa Denton of Pana has been administrator since April of 2022 and was the director of Hickory Estates of Taylorville five years prior. She is excited about the opportunities which await those who decide to make Hickory Estates of Pana their home.
“We are a senior living apartment complex,” she said. “A lot of people have the notion even now they feel like it is a nursing home.
People come out here to see Hickory Estates and they think their family is putting them in a home. But when they take the tour and they realize it’s their own apartment, they furnish everything and we can do as much as they need or nothing for them.”
There are 44 units with 37 one-bedroom, three two-bedroom and four deluxe two-bedroom units which are being or are available to rent for those 65 years of age or older. Each apartment features a full kitchen however, there is also a dining room and kitchen which feature three full meals a day. There is a staff on site 24 hours a day.
An extensive remodel of the building was conducted in 2021. But due to the restrictions of COVID-19, the facility was unable to showcase its new look. They were finally able to do so in November of this year. The open house also featured a vendor fair.
“We had a great turnout and I think we made a good impression for the people who came out to participate,” said Denton.
Laundry services and housekeeping is offered once a week. Staff provides residents medication reminders and supervision for those who need it. There is local transportation provide, but residents may have their own vehicles on-site and are free to come and go as they like. There are activities offered five days a week and an exercise class three times a week. In addition to the public dining area, there is a private dining room which residents can reserve to host their family for meals.
Each resident is issued a life alert devise when they move in and if they encounter a problem, staff is available to respond to their need for assistance.
“Everyone is so different, there is nothing that can be described as a typical day here,” Denton said. “We have people who are very social and everything and anything under the sun that we do they are the first ones out the door for it. There’s not a specific daily routine here ever.”
The apartments rent for private pay and Medicaid. There are also Veteran’s benefits available, but that is paid directly to the resident.
Breakfast is served from 7:00-8:00 a.m. with lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Dinner is 5:00-6:00 p.m.
“Lunch is huge here,” Denton reports. “Most people use the dining room at lunch. Everyone gets excited for lunchtime and socializing with each other.”
There is a screening process potential residents must complete. It is easy and the process doesn’t take too long to fill out.
“We’ve been doing a lot of tours lately. It’s getting to be winter and people are thinking of that,” Denton said. “People have been emailing, calling me or just stopping by.”
There are immediate openings for new residents. There is more information on the Hickory Estates of Pana website www.hickoryestatespana.com. Those interested can call 217-562-2022.
“We foster a fun atmosphere at Hickory Estates,” Denton concluded. “It’s our aim to engage them, keep their bodies strong and their minds strong. We push very hard for independence in this building. We do everything we can to keep the residents active.”
