Founded by Teresa Whittington, RN BSN, and Godwin Dixon, Teresa’s House Assisted Living and Memory Care Village was born from a desire to provide the best care for seniors in an environment that feels like home. From their experience working in senior living communities, Godwin and Teresa noticed that residents struggled with the transition because most places felt more like a facility than a home. They designed Teresa’s House with special attention to details that make residents feel at home because they are home.
“We build homes, but they are homes designed for senior care. Each 16-room home has everything you have at home and more. The bathrooms have wide doors, handrails, and no-barrier showers. There are lights to help at night, and for our dementia patients, we have specialized wardrobes that cue them through the dressing process, helping retain their dignity,” explains Godwin. “There are no long hallways, and the kitchens are open so you can see and smell the food being prepared and served. It's just a beautiful, warm home environment.”
As residents settle into the homey feel, families have the assurance that if needed, help is always close by. With emphasis on quality care, Teresa’s House exceeds state requirements by having nurses on-site around the clock, seven days a week, state-certified staff passing medications, and a high ratio of certified nursing assistants and care staff per resident.
“We love that staff members stay in the same house and don’t rotate. It creates a familiarity for residents that is comforting to the residents as well as to me,” shares Laura Bakken, whose father is a resident. “I also love that I can call my father’s house and someone always answers and is willing to help.”
The Activity Center, designed to prompt memories of the 1960s/70s, is the hub of activities for residents that are both engaging and therapeutic. “Half is a working vintage kitchen with checkerboard tile floors where we do big group activities, and the other half is a man cave, set up as a garage with a 1965 Mustang, a sports bar, a workshop, and everything that brings back great memories,” shares Godwin. “It’s fun for all our residents, but it is very therapeutic for our residents struggling with dementia.”
Deciding to move a loved one into a senior living community can be difficult, but current resident, Laura, found the team at Teresa’s House to be supportive and helpful. “They were not only respectful of my dad, but they were respectful of us too,” she shares. “It was a huge challenge and a pivotal point in our family, but I feel like cognitively, physically, and mentally, my dad has made great strides. As a family, we are comforted to know that he is in a safe place where they are taking good care of him.”
Teresa’s House, which has locations in McKinney and Argyle, offers Respite Stays, which allow prospective residents to join the community for 13 or 30 days to see if the neighborhood is a good fit. For more information, visit teresashouse.com or call 940-291-9522.
"...It's just a beautiful, warm home environment.”