ON ISLAND
Long Hill Assisted Living You Can Go Home Again
By Moira C. Silva
Summer breezes, vintage pine flooring and the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies make Long Hill Assisted Living Facility feel more like a family home than a long-term care facility. The campus, hiding down a dirt road, just outside of Edgartown, breathes peace. Director and founder Elizabeth Sandland calls it, “a little bit of heaven before you get there.”
The lucky residents enjoy a day where the schedule is open, so activities are tailored to their interests and needs. They fill their days with visitors, day trips, games and more. George “Gus” Daniels, who retired from Time Magazine, enjoys relaxing on the second story deck, which feels like a private sanctuary, offering a Jacuzzi and a view of Nantucket Sound. Former schoolteacher Priscilla Fischer often visits with her son, Arnie, in the living room which features a piano, fireplace and original art. As Mr. Fischer leaves his mother today, he pauses in the doorway to reflect, “Long Hill is an excellent choice. It was such a stressful decision to make, but Long Hill was right from day-one. My mom felt immediately at home.”
Family and friends are invited to enjoy any meal, anytime. Liz Gude, whose father, John “Jap” Gude, previously resided at Long Hill, remembers that he enjoyed the thrill of being able to special order dinners like salmon with hollandaise sauce. Ms. Gude also remembers the study where her father enjoyed reading for hours, the same study where she would read articles from The New Yorker to her father’s friend, another resident.
Since Long Hill opened, almost 20 years ago, the daily focus for the staff has remained the same – comfort. “I wanted to create a place unlike a hospital where people can come who need care. I want to give them happiness,” Elizabeth says.
“A benefit of being on staff is that you have an extended family,” staff member Zima Flanders shared. One employee, Nancy Nevin even picks up a few residents each Sunday to attend Mass with her. The staff is happy to be there, also echoing that they feel at home at Long Hill. They are excited to celebrate the residents’ birthdays with parties and presents.
Caring for residents includes assisting them with the simple tasks of everyday living – bathing, getting around, eating, making home-cooked meals, providing medical care and taking the time to hold a hand. “It’s also about stopping and listening to them; I love hearing their stories,” Ms. Flanders adds.
As with any big family, the door is always open. There are currently two resident spaces available and the Island community is encouraged to visit, volunteer, or attend one the famed parties during the July 4th weekend
and Christmas.
From the waving oaks that surround Long Hill to the easy smiles that fill every corner, it’s clear that this family constantly strives to realize their credo: “We should enjoy every moment we are blessed with.”
The lucky residents enjoy a day where the schedule is open, so activities are tailored to their interests and needs. They fill their days with visitors, day trips, games and more. George “Gus” Daniels, who retired from Time Magazine, enjoys relaxing on the second story deck, which feels like a private sanctuary, offering a Jacuzzi and a view of Nantucket Sound. Former schoolteacher Priscilla Fischer often visits with her son, Arnie, in the living room which features a piano, fireplace and original art. As Mr. Fischer leaves his mother today, he pauses in the doorway to reflect, “Long Hill is an excellent choice. It was such a stressful decision to make, but Long Hill was right from day-one. My mom felt immediately at home.”
Family and friends are invited to enjoy any meal, anytime. Liz Gude, whose father, John “Jap” Gude, previously resided at Long Hill, remembers that he enjoyed the thrill of being able to special order dinners like salmon with hollandaise sauce. Ms. Gude also remembers the study where her father enjoyed reading for hours, the same study where she would read articles from The New Yorker to her father’s friend, another resident.
Since Long Hill opened, almost 20 years ago, the daily focus for the staff has remained the same – comfort. “I wanted to create a place unlike a hospital where people can come who need care. I want to give them happiness,” Elizabeth says.
“A benefit of being on staff is that you have an extended family,” staff member Zima Flanders shared. One employee, Nancy Nevin even picks up a few residents each Sunday to attend Mass with her. The staff is happy to be there, also echoing that they feel at home at Long Hill. They are excited to celebrate the residents’ birthdays with parties and presents.
Caring for residents includes assisting them with the simple tasks of everyday living – bathing, getting around, eating, making home-cooked meals, providing medical care and taking the time to hold a hand. “It’s also about stopping and listening to them; I love hearing their stories,” Ms. Flanders adds.
As with any big family, the door is always open. There are currently two resident spaces available and the Island community is encouraged to visit, volunteer, or attend one the famed parties during the July 4th weekend
and Christmas.
From the waving oaks that surround Long Hill to the easy smiles that fill every corner, it’s clear that this family constantly strives to realize their credo: “We should enjoy every moment we are blessed with.”