Gig Harbor’s Lodge at Mallard’s Landing is a facility that lives true to its name. The resort-like atmosphere includes a warm, lodge-style décor with open spaces, cozy seating areas and wood décor. A grand staircase leads to the second floor that includes amenities like a small movie theater and a lounge with a wet bar for happy hour. An elegant restaurant, which has a complete menu and linen table settings, is open 12 hours a day.
While it may look like a holiday getaway spot, The Lodge (www.mallardslandinglodge.com) is a retirement and assisted living facility that includes 100 apartments, from studios to two bedrooms. The facility opened last May and includes 24 independent living cottages equipped with garages and full kitchens. The cottages, which are filled and have a waiting list, allow its residents to have a completely independent lifestyle while having access to amenities and activities offered in the main building (except for assisted living).
“The atmosphere provided at The Lodge is more unique than most (assisted living facilities) but I think it is the wave of the future,” said Mike Swanson, executive director. “We try to provide a relaxing atmosphere. We want it to be comfortable and warm.”
To eliminate the institutional feel, staff wears street clothing, and all the care is done inside the apartments or other private spaces. The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing can serve residents up to the point prior to needing skilled nursing care (such as intravenous medications). Dementia patients are currently not accepted, but Swanson said that is being considered for the future.
Hospice care can be arranged for residents, and a variety of providers, from massage therapist to an audiologist and podiatrist, come in regularly. The facility is hoping to add regular visits by a physician, physical therapist and dentist soon.
“We’re adding peripheral services to make it easier for someone who lives here,” Swanson said.
Amenities on sight include an exercise room — a personal trainer also offers drop-in classes several times a week — along with a spa, a full-service hair salon, a library with books and games and a small store staffed by resident volunteers. The movie theater hosts film screenings along with social events and church services, and activities such as Wii bowling, and crafts are available. The Lodge also frequently schedules live entertainment, and Swanson said that program will continue to grow as the resident base increases.
Transportation is offered for appointments within a 20-mile radius, and regular outings are scheduled for shopping, sightseeing, dinners out and other activities. Not that residents really need to dine out — the restaurant at The Lodge is one of the highlights.
“The food is fantastic. The chef is as sweet as she can be — you make suggestions and she tries to have it in a day or two,” said Alice Travis, who moved in last fall with her dog, Georgette.
Although her mobility is challenging at times, Travis likes to come out of her room regularly to socialize, and has made many friends, including three other residents with whom she always dines. She said her daughter and son-in-law shopped around for retirement homes and they found the Lodge at Mallard’s Landing as the perfect fit for her.
“Everybody is so nice. If there’s anything you need, you just call the desk and they’re here,” she said.
The level of service is another aspect that Swanson said sets them apart, as well as the dedication of the staff. The facility’s key personnel also have extensive industry background. Sue Honan, LPN, the health services director, has been a nurse for more than 30 years and has worked in her current field for about eight years. Swanson is a hospitality industry veteran who has extensive experience in retirement and assisted living, including opening of new facilities. The Lodge recently added award-winning executive chef Jennifer DuCharme to its roster. DuCharme most recently worked at Red Lion in SeaTac.
“All the food is made from scratch and fresh ingredients,” Swanson said. “Nothing we serve goes from being frozen to the table… The upscale dining is an extremely important part of the daily residents’ experience.”
The residents can dine at any time between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on their own schedule, and family members and guests are welcome to join in. Although the restaurant is not open to the public, it serves more than 300 guest meals a month. “That’s a lot for the number of people that live here,” Swanson said. “One of the signs of how well a dining room is doing is the number of visitors.”
The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing currently has about 45 staff members, but that number will grow to as many as 100 as capacity grows. Swanson said so far the apartments are about 50 percent full, which is on track for what the company expected. In December, the Department of Health and Human Services’ visit to the facility found zero deficiencies, and Swanson noted that only a small percentage of retirement homes get such a high score. The facility is owned by Lakewood developer DRK and is its only upscale-kind of assisted living community.
Swanson said as baby boomers retire, this type of resort-like retirement atmosphere will be more in demand. “This is attractive for retirees who’ve saved and are ready to relax,” he said. “They want to live on a cruise ship without leaving port.”
