At The Pearl at Boulder Creek, a recent renovation initiative was driven by a unique approach: extensive input from residents. The senior living community, managed by Dial Senior Living, sought to refresh its furniture and flooring, but the process evolved into a comprehensive redesign that significantly enhanced the living experience for its residents.
Community-Centric Redesign
Recognizing the value of resident feedback, Dial Senior Living formed committees comprising residents to gather insights on various aspects of community life. The feedback generated led to pivotal changes, such as alterations in the restaurant’s acoustics to improve communication during meals. This engagement with residents marked a distinctive shift in how renovations are typically approached in senior living.
“We’ve been given the gift of our voices being heard and valued,” said resident and visual artist Nyla Witmore, who played an integral role in the redesign committee. Executive Director Kelly Dwyer noted, “It turned out to be more of a renovation than a refresh, which speaks to the commitment of Dial.”
Among the significant changes was a complete overhaul of the health and wellness center, the creation of a dedicated art room, and a redesign of the restaurant aimed at fostering a more communal dining experience. The new high-backed booths in the restaurant, envisioned by Witmore, have been particularly well-received, as they encourage intimate conversations while minimizing background noise.
A Focus on Practicality and Comfort
Resident Bernadette Russek, who chaired the restaurant committee, emphasized the importance of practicality in the redesign. A statistician and former professor at the University of New Hampshire, she noted that the people within The Pearl are what truly make it inviting. Together with Witmore, she dedicated hours to mapping out the new layouts, ensuring a more spacious feel throughout the dining areas.
“The booths block out the noise behind you, and the sounds you want to hear bounce to your ears,” Witmore explained. Dwyer affirmed the value of resident expertise, stating, “Our residents, who experience day-to-day life in the building, were the experts on what they needed.”
In the art room, resident Joan Patch, a retired interior designer, collaborated with Witmore to transform the space into a dedicated area for creative activities. This included ample storage for art supplies and shelving to display resident creations. “Now we know exactly where to go to find the size of paper we want,” Patch said with a laugh, highlighting the practical benefits of the redesign.
Accessibility was a top priority in the renovation, as noted by resident Jerry Spielvogel, who applied his background in industrial engineering to assess the feasibility of various resident requests. The addition of a glass wall in the atrium and double doors improved both noise reduction and accessibility. “Everything we did triggered a chain of events,” Spielvogel remarked.
The changes at The Pearl extend beyond aesthetics. A former apartment was repurposed into a larger health and wellness center, and the fitness area now boasts new equipment and a dedicated office space for the personal trainer. “Everything is really spiffed up, with mirrors and new equipment,” Witmore noted.
The transformation of The Pearl at Boulder Creek illustrates the power of involving residents in the decision-making process. As Russek pointed out, “Because we had input, everyone has a feeling of ownership.” This sense of community ownership aligns with the mission of The Pearl to foster a caring environment where residents can thrive.
Witmore added, “The people here are so real, and I’m always discovering something new about them. We have people who have traveled the world and who have won awards, yet when you come to dinner and see someone, we ask them to join us.”
For those interested in learning more about The Pearl at Boulder Creek or scheduling a tour, visit thepearlbouldercreek.com or call 720.565.6844.
