“Mom’s independence has always meant so much to her — and to us.”

Jean Milos is fiercely independent but has vascular dementia and COPD. “Mom has an amazing work ethic,” said son, Jimmy Smith. “She worked in hospitals her whole career, then at a grocery store after her retirement. After my dad passed, she lived alone for 23 years, driving herself wherever she needed to go. With four children, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, Mom was always on the go. She’s always been ‘Jean the Dancing Machine’ – full of life and determined to stay independent.”

Tammy Smith shared her mother-in-law Jean’s journey. “After Jean, now 88, suffered multiple falls at home leading to hospitalizations and ultimately rehab at Lions Gate, it became clear she couldn’t live alone. We initially tried home aides, but that arrangement just wasn’t sustainable. Given Jean’s memory needs and the positive experience at the rehab, we decided to transition her to Lions Gate’s Memory Care community. We were initially concerned about her transition from home to Lions Gate, but she has really thrived thanks to the daily, specialized support from the Memory Care team,”

“Every time I visit Mom, there is something new going on here,” said Jimmy. “Last week she went to a floral arranging class. This week I walked in to see her in a drumming class. Every day has a structure and a routine, but the ever-changing activities keep the days from becoming routine and repetitive. I honestly believe that the intellectual stimulation and the socialization keeps her sharp.”

“The care team is very responsive,” said Tammy. “We visit her all the time, but if the care team notices any changes in Jean, they immediately pick up the phone to keep us in the loop. They treat the residents like family.”

“Moving Mom to Lions Gate was the best decision,” said Jimmy. “She is surrounded by staff who genuinely care about her. The community is so clean and beautiful. The health services are all right here – her respiratory therapist even comes to her apartment daily for breathing treatments, which has really helped her manage her COPD. We’ve noticed such an improvement in Mom’s quality of life. Thanks to Lions Gate, we’re all grateful to know Mom will be dancing for many more years to come.”