Time For You To Be Spoiled

Today’s seniors have lived through extraordinary challenges. Many fought in or were forced to make sacrifices through wars. They survived a pandemic and mourned loved ones who did not. Most helped pave the way to a better life for younger generations. 

At Hampton Manor of Merritt Island, the island’s newest independent and assisted living community, older adults are rewarded for the many contributions they’ve made and for their many achievements. 

“That’s our objective,” affirms Jason Rodriguez, executive director of Hampton Manor of Merritt Island. “Because of all the challenges our seniors have faced and the accomplishments they’ve made, we focus on taking away all the burdens of life and spoiling them. 

“The way we do that is by giving them a home where all their needs are met, where they are surrounded by a willing and capable group of talented people who always act as if they are guests of residents because that’s exactly what we are. 

“Our residents are at home here at Hampton Manor of Merritt Island. This is where they have decided to live, and our goal is to serve them and assist them in a way that will allow them to simply sit back, relax and enjoy what we hope will be their best years.” 

Like an Ocean Oasis 

To achieve that objective, Hampton Manor of Merritt Island created a premier senior living community that looks like an ocean oasis, replete with amenities that leave residents feeling as if they’re living in a luxury vacation resort. 

Those amenities include lavishly gardened outdoor patio and sitting areas, a relaxing sun room, and a swimming pool. The community also has a spa, two movie theaters, a hair and nail salon, a putting green, and a game room with a pool table. 

“Another thing we have that is very popular with our residents is an outdoor kitchen,” Jason adds. “We hold a lot of events there, especially during holidays, and it allows us to combine two things that are critical to enjoying life, which are food and fun. 

“Most people wake up each morning thinking of those two things, and at Hampton Manor of Merritt Island we provide them both through a variety of activities and fabulous food that is created by an amazing culinary team. 

“I’m a former restaurant owner, and because of that we have put extra emphasis on the food we serve our residents. That’s why we don’t do convenience food at Hampton Manor of Merritt Island. We don’t believe in it. 

“We believe in fresh food, fresh meals that wow you, so the majority of the meals we provide are from scratch. The soups are made from scratch; the sauces and gravies are made from scratch. It’s a great product that we present here at mealtime.” 

Those meals are served in a variety of venues. In addition to the outdoor kitchen, Hampton Manor of Merritt Island has two main dining rooms as well as a formal dining room. There is also a private dining room for special occasions. 

“That private dining room is for the residents to use for whatever reason they wish, and it’s available to them free of charge,” Jason points out. “All they have to do is let us know in advance that they want to use it for a specific date and time, and we set it up for them.” 

Hampton Manor of Merritt Island also offers residents several daily social, cultural and recreational activities as well as fitness, exercise and wellness programs. It has even partnered with Powerback Rehabilitation to help those in need of rehabilitative therapy. 

“The company provides an array of services for residents, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, even speech therapy,” Jason says. “We’ve partnered with them to help residents gain the independence they want, so if someone is struggling with range-of-motion issues, recovering from surgery or just feels too weak to walk, they can get help at home.” 

Jason further emphasizes that Hampton Manor of Merritt Island takes seriously the safety of its residents. 

“We are a 24-hour safe and secured facility,” Jason confirms. “We have security cameras around the facility as well as a safety system on the doors. After a certain time each night, the doors are powered down and they become keypad-access only.” 

The Dream Team 

From the members of the nursing team to those in housekeeping and maintenance, the experienced staff members at Hampton Manor of Merritt Island take care of whatever needs arise for residents. 

“We offer independent living, assisted living and memory care services, and I can honestly say that the team I have put together to help our residents maintain their independence or aid those who need assistance is the best I have ever assembled,” Jason raves. 

“This is my version of the Olympic Dream Team, the best group of professionals that I’ve assembled in more than 20 years in this industry, and the thing I’m most proud of is their ability to work together as a team for the benefit of our residents.” 

Before the community opened its doors, each employee devoted five months to health care-related cross training. And it shows. 

“A resident will never hear one of our staff members says, Oh, that’s not my job or I don’t know how to do that, because everyone has been trained across all areas so that everyone is capable of helping anybody, no matter the need,” Jason asserts. 

“We had a resident who recently needed help moving from her regular chair to her power chair while in her room, and the housekeeper cleaning her room at the time was able to do that for her. That’s how it is with all our staff members. We truly are a team working for one purpose, and that is the benefit of our residents. 

“Why, not too long ago, we had someone leave sick from the kitchen staff, and I jumped in to help along with another staff member to make sure the residents were fed on time. 

“That teamwork and willingness to treat residents as if they are family is what sets us apart. It’s what makes us special. I truly believe that, and I know our residents appreciate it.” 

Another thing residents appreciate is that there is seldom a need to relocate to another part of the community should their health care needs increase to a point where they can no longer live independently. 

If residents begin to require assistance with bathing, dressing, housekeeping, medication management or anything beyond the basics of daily living, those services are simply added at their chosen residences. 

“Our menu of personalized service is quite extensive and includes clothing selection assistance and incontinence management,” Jason adds. “We also offer hospice care as well as behavioral monitoring, and respite and short-term care stays. 

“But a lot of what we do is simply customized around our residents. We tailor everything to each resident’s specific needs. 

“That’s how we take away their burdens and spoil them, by giving them a home in a luxurious setting where all their needs and many of their wishes are met.” 

Article Courtesy of Hampton Manor of Merritt Island