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Peace of Mind

Vista Prado has a way of making their home feel like
in the morning they do their exercises, then they can
everyone’s home. “We just try to give them TLC,” Tedra Activities follow a specific calendar every day. At nine
explained. “Even the combative ones.” They do house engage in tai chi, weight lifting, bingo, and all sorts of
Vista Prado in Vallejo provides a special service for our loved ones some combative residents who came to them from other other activities until they eat dinner at about 4:30 p.m.,
places, and Vista Prado accepts them even when they it quiets down at about 5:30 p.m. and then there’s a
By Matt Larson were warned it might not work; but Tedra and her team movie around 6 to help wind down the day. Regardless
have a special way with people. of what’s going on, Tedra is always looking forward to
If you or someone you know is her job the next day.
caring for a close friend or family “Once we moved them to Vista Prado, they are no
member suffering from dementia longer combative,” she said. So how do they do it? “I You know how a lot of folks always say,
or Alzheimer’s disease, Vista Prado just think that it has a lot to do with the people that
in Vallejo is a privately owned you have in place,” Tedra continued. “If they’re lashing ‘I gotta go to work,’ I feel like I get to go to
community that is dedicated out, usually it’s for something—they’re hungry still, or
specifically to serving people with there’s something special going on that families and work, and every day I go in there with a
those two ailments. other folks just don’t understand—I think that’s where smile, because I really do love the seniors.”
our specialty comes in.”
“We are an all-memory-care Tedra Richardson-Godfrey,
community,” said Executive Director Patience is key, and Tedra and the Vista Prado team give Executive Director and Nurse
and Nurse Tedra Richardson- their residents all the time they need to get through the
Godfrey. “We try to ensure that difficult moments. “Even if it’s just taking them outside
residents are doing activities pretty and talking to them,” she explained. “Even if you don’t “I love to come in in the morning,” she said. “Some of them
much all day: keeping them out of understand what they’re saying, but you’re listening.” hug me, kiss me, hold my hand, I just love seeing them
their rooms, providing the proper Listening with a willful ear can make all the difference. smile; knowing that they have the disease and just being
care for them, and making sure that able to help them through it and make their lives better.
the remainder of their life is fun, If a potential resident isn’t quite ready to move in, Tedra
everlasting, and something for their again pushes that they come and see it for themselves, Call Vista Prado at (707) 643-7617. Visit them in person at
families to remember.” even if just for a short period of time. “We have respite,” 105 Power Drive in Vallejo, or online at vistaprado.com.
she said. “So if they’re just not ready to move in, we Like them at facebook.com/vistaprado.
Upon visiting Vista Prado, do have a respite stay, like a hotel, where they can
something that will certainly stand stay a week to two weeks and go home, to slowly get On the second Saturday of every month, Tedra invites
out is how much fun everyone is having there. They’re always thinking outside the box and finding new and acclimated to our community.” anyone who needs it to come and participate in their
exciting ways to entertain their residents and keep them busy. “We just had a resident’s family hold her 90th Alzheimer’s support group. They’re also partaking in
birthday party on our deck,” Tedra said. “She loved it! She was very excited.” They are very family-oriented at Vista Prado, Tedra the Alzheimer’s walk on October 19th, and have gone
explained. “We treat every resident like one of our loved out to feed the homeless as well. “Give us a ring!” Tedra
Some popular activities include balloon volleyball, tai chi, sit-down golf, painting and more. At this writing, they ones. Plus our activities are outstanding.” She also notes said. “You can donate, learn more about the disease,
were preparing for a big luau. All year round, Tedra and her team at Vista Prado are striving to improve the that about a year and a half ago Vista Prado came under and we have plenty of room for volunteers.”
quality of life for their residents. new ownership. In regards to the new owners, she said,
“They are hands-on. They walk the community, they
No real age restriction is in place to be admitted into Vista Prado’s community, though most all of their residents know residents by name, they are awesome.” Larson is an actor/comedian/director from
are senior citizens. “As long as they have a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s, we will accept them,” Tedra Vallejo who lives a double life between the
stated. However, deciding when the best time is to move a loved one out of the house, and into a welcoming Although residents at Vista Prado are suffering from Bay and LA. When he’s not writing for Local
Happenings Magazine he could be editing a
community like Vista Prado, is indeed the question to ask. dementia and Alzheimer’s, they’re still able to enjoy
short film or working on his next rap album—
themselves. “Every day is fun!” Tedra exclaimed. who knows! Keep up with all things Larson at
“We always invite the family and the [potential] resident to come and be a part of it,” Tedra said. So as a sort “Something’s going on all during the day. When www.MarsLegstrong.com.
of test run, entire families can accompany their loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s to come and check the families come and tour, they can’t believe how active
place out, engage in the activities, and see if Vista Prado is a good fit. Families that take them up on this offer the residents are.”
often find themselves stating, “Wow! My mom or dad never does that at home!”

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