In 1992 , the finished product was a campus with a total of 65 private , independent units and 42 personal care units , each tailored to the needs of the residing seniors over 62 .
Independent units are for those who can still fully function and care for themselves with minimal help . Still , the personal care units are for residents who are more advanced in age and need help with more intimate tasks such as bathing , getting dressed , administering medication , and reminders to complete daily tasks . They have certified assistants who come into their rooms and complete those chores . Langdale Place also has a memory care unit . Once a patient has reached a point where they need around-theclock care due to the memory loss that comes with advanced age , they are sent to The Palms , named for their more “ hands-on ” approach .
Across the board , Langdale Place specializes in activities and keeping seniors on their feet . Bingo nights and mahjong games are classic staples for those up for the challenge . The activities director regularly scheduled monthly wine and cheese socials , day trips , shopping excursions , dinners out , and live entertainment when the time permits .
Jan Bric , executive director of Langdale Place , has been there since its inception in January 1992 . While she retired in March of 2022 , she has many fond memories of her tenure and becoming family to the residents .
“ The hardest part of my retirement is that I ’ ve been here for 30 years . So , each and every resident that has been here I have known . I had some staff that started after I did , so we really became one big blended family . We bonded ,” she said .
Bric said , “ We ’ ve been through graduations and funerals and marriages and divorces . Everything that every family has been through , and we ’ ve done it together . It ’ s a great working environment . I always tell people that ‘ It ’ s not a get a rich job ; it ’ s a job that ’ s from the heart .’”
Ansley Panizzi , has been with Langdale Place for over 24 years . She has been the new executive director since late March , ready to serve Langdale Place well beyond its latest milestone .
... having that family atmosphere allows us to offer care and compassion on a different level ... We hope to continue for many more years to come .”
~ Ansley Panizzi , executive director
“ It ’ s been great . Our employees and their families have been receptive to the change . We really just hit the ground running . I have been here so long that it really wasn ’ t too much of a change at all , just different tasks that come with the role ,” she said .
Panizzi said , “ I think I speak for all our employees when I say that having that family atmosphere allows us to offer care and compassion on a different level . We are happy to be going on our 30th year ; we have many amenities and intimate ties to offer the community . We hope to continue for many more years to come .”
Like any life-changing event , it ’ s important to remember to give yourself time and space to cope . Langdale Place understands the range of needs , emotions , and decisions that come with transitioning to senior living and plans on helping those with said needs for another 30 years .
August 2022 | Valdosta Scene 37