A Family of Families: Inside Midtowne Midlothian Assisted Living & Memory Care | Civitas

In this episode of the Senior Living NTX podcast, host Paul Fritz visits Midtowne Midlothian Assisted Living and Memory Care, a Civitas community affectionately known as the “Grandma” of Midlothian. Joined by Community Relations Director Jill Alexander and Activities Director Joewalla, Paul dives into what makes this senior community such a beloved and supportive environment.

Tune in to hear how Midtowne creates a seamless and compassionate transition for residents whose care needs evolve over time. You’ll also learn about their unique Golden Rewards Shop program, personalized activity planning, and the tight-knit culture that sets Midtowne apart—not just as a place to live, but as a true family of families.

Whether you're helping a loved one explore senior living or just want a deeper look at what quality care can really look like, this episode is packed with insights, heart, and a few laughs.

📍 Serving families in Midlothian and beyond
 ☎️ To schedule a tour, contact Jill Alexander at 469-615-0720

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Transcript

Welcome back to Senior Living NTX. Today, we're out at Midtowne in Midlothian and my guests today that are gonna teach us a little bit about Midtowne are Jill, she is the community relations director, and Joewalla, who is the Activities Director. So you wanna tell us a little bit about Midtowne, give us an introduction? Absolutely. Hi. So again, I'm Jill. And yes, Joewalla, and we are the dream team here at Midtowne Assisted Living. We're located in Midlothian. There is another, um, community located in Midlothian as well, but we're called the Grandma. We're the first that Civitas had here in Midlothian. And we're proud to brag about that. That's awesome. So Grandma, that's y'all's nickname? Yes. And a loving grandma. In a loving way. Absolutely. Yeah, this, uh, this community was established, I think, back in 2014. Okay. And then our sister community, uh, down the way, you know, they came after. So yeah, we are kinda considered the grandma community. So everybody comes to you for all the questions and all the help and all the advice on how to make it all work?Yes, yes. I mean, we're all very great at, uh, resourcing and having resources, you know, for our community here in Midlothian, but yeah, we were here first. Awesome. Awesome. How does Midtowne support residents in transitioning from the assisted living portion to the memory care portion if their needs change over time? Well, um, as caregivers, um, the clinical team, uh, the IDT team, all the directors, we are all very one-on-one. Okay. Because we are a smaller community compared to our, um, competitors. Well, our sister communities, we are the smaller, uh, the smaller campus, smallest campus. So we do have the ability to have one-on-one interaction on a daily basis. So yes, it does come to a point where there can be some cognitive decline and at that time, once it's identified, you know, we do, um, recognize it, we do document it, and from there we start observing. But instead of just saying, "Hey, this person is now diagnosed with dementia," or, you know, whatever diagnosis that they may have, we try our best to let them have as much dignity and longevity in the assisted living side as long as possible. So that's why we have levels of care that we adjust. And then, you know, once that time comes and, you know, we have to call a thing a thing- Right. they already would be They're already familiar with the staff. Okay. They're already familiar with their, um, uh, some of the residents that are already back there because we do integrate, um, memory care. Okay. And assisted living, um, for all our activities and things of that nature. So the transition isn't as hard as one will think. Okay. Um, it is a gradual process. Um, it does take a little while for them to get used to the new, you know, sleeping situation. But overall, um, because we maintain that longevity with them on the AL side and they transition, we just try to make it a smooth, smooth of a transition as possible. Okay. So it sounds like because you're so involved and such a tight-knit group that you see it coming early on and you kind of, over time, help with that transition process. Yes. So that it's as seamless as possible. Yes, we- And having everything integrated, I love, because it's not this huge, "Now I'm on this side versus on that side," and you already know the people. So that's I love that. That's good. Yeah, and the family, it is a constant communication with them. Got it. So it's a constant, you know, if it's um, uh, monthly, biweekly, just letting them know, you know, what daily changes, you know, that their loved one is experiencing. So that way, they're totally in the loop and totally onboard and understand when it's time to make that transition. Okay, awesome. What amenities and activities See how I'm segueing in there? Ah. Ah. What amenities and activities are available to promote an active social lifestyle for the residents? Well, that would be Joewalla. I'll take that from you. Um, as far as activities, we, um, try to just integrate it to where all the residents can be a part of. Like, what do you like? Gardening. Do you like arts and crafts? Do you like going shopping, going to lunch bunch, going to, umI wanna go to different places this summer with them, do something different. So it's just more or less integrating what they like and what they enjoy to do and trying to get my attendance increased so that all of, hopefully all of my residents can come and attend things that are... they would like to do here at Midtowne. So How do you find out, like, what they like to do? So it's I'm, I'm hearing that it's not just like a, "Here's our 5 activities, pick one and you're gonna like it. "Mm-hmm. It's listening. But what does that look like in practice?Just talking to them, each resident, um, when they move in. Mm-hmm. Speaking with them, kinda getting some ideas on what they like to do, what their past, what they liked to do in their past. Um, just, you know, integrating with that and just really having open communications with them. Okay. And I am gonna roll out a survey. Um, I haven't done that yet, but that is to, um, get all of my residents to confidentially just tell me what they like to do, what they want to do, and then we try to put that all in my activity calendar. Okay, awesome. So mm-hmm. I love that. Being open to 'Cause it's gonna be different people at different times, right? Absolutely. you don't know what you don't know and you don't know- Mm-hmm. what may like until like the neighbor is a woodcarver. Yeah. And like, "Hey, maybe I wanna carve wood too. I never tried that." Exactly. Awesome. Something like that. They wanna jump out of the plane, I'll jump out of the plane with them. We can jump plane. We had some Don Jada was telling me.I'm not saying that from an interview, but yes. Somebody's jumping out of the plane. would love to jump out of the plane. So any of my residents that would Let's go. Let's do it. We'll definitely do it. I might check in for a day-just to get the, uh, the sky dive. So with the activities and stuff that you have for the residents, a little birdie told me, I don't know what it is, so I'm, I'm excited to hear, what is the Golden Rewards Shop? Did I get that right? Was it Okay. Yes. Yeah, um, I'm excited to tell you about that. Okay. Um, I came up with that concept about, mm3 months ago, 2 or 3 months ago.And I wanted to see how can we normalize what they used to be able to do. Right. What they wanted to do or what they You know, not all of my residents will go to Walmart. Right. Not all my residents will do all that. So, why not bring it here? Why not bring it to Midtowne? So, I started just reaching out to my community, Midlothian, and just kinda getting my feelers out saying, "Hey, we need toilet paper. We need, you know, different toiletry, shampoos. All of that." Okay. And within like 2 weeks, I had stuff flooding in. I mean, I, my office was so full of donations. And then I'm like, "Okay, well I'm gonna turn this into my shop now." So, because this is where I just wanted to test the water. Okay. See what I would get as far as donations. I got flooded. I got inundated. Yeah. Good problems to have, right? Yeah. Good problems. problems to have. And so, um, I said, "Okay, we're gonna call it the Golden Reward Shop." Okay. And then I said, "Okay," well I, I told the residents, "Now, it's gonna be based on your participation-" Mm-hmm."in events, activities, entertainment." All of that. So, I came up with this spreadsheet that has what each item, like bingo, 5 points. Okay. Arts and crafts, 6 points. You know, winning this, winning that, this is how many points you're gonna get. So, at, at the 2 weeks, I will tally up all their points from the spreadsheet. Mm-hmm. Give them their point status and they come to the store, and each item, each table is listed with 90 points, 45 points. Oh, okay. Toilet paper, shampoo, all of the ame- snacks, sodas. Stuffed animals. Right. Stuff for the grandkids. Stuffed For grandkids. I mean just-any of that. So, um, Christmas, I'm gonna have Christmas stuff for them to buy. Christmas presents to buy. Okay. So, I rolled that out and it's been very successful. Mm-hmm. I've, my, my retention rate of getting the residents to these events, activities has increased. Has increased. Yes. Awesome. So, then Midlothian Mirror got a hold of this story. They blasted it out. Nice. And so on and so forth. But just that normal, say how you come to work, you attend activities. You get points. You're rewarded. GetYou get rewarded and you go shopping with your rewards. Absolutely. I love that's kind of where that concept came from. I love that it's a spreadsheet, number one, I adore it. I- I'm a nerd and I'm like, okay, spreadsheet and points. Well, speaking of nerds, I'm a accounting nerd. Okay. Yeah, yeah. 15 years of accounting and HR is my background, so. Okay. So you whipped that spreadsheet out like that? Like that. Um, serious note- I'm Um, no, no.It's, it's awesome. a nerd too, so. Um, how do we, if we wanna donate- Yeah. for the Golden Shop Rewards? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. How do we do that? Like, can anybody donate? Absolutely. What, do you have a list of what we, what you would need or just- I mean I'm thinking with holidays coming up and stuff.Get what you canfor Basic needs. Right, basic needs. Yeah. Basic needs. Toilet paper is the number one ticket. Okay. That's the high commodity. That is the biggest one. Paper towels. Toilet paper. Toilet paper.You heard it here first. Yes. Golden Rewards, toilet paper.T oilet papers. But yeah, no, I mean, yeah, any donations we'll take. Okay. For, for, and it'll go straight to the shop. Mm-hmm. And that way our residents will be able to purchase the items.Awesome.And they get to be involved in this. Yeah. 'Cause I know sometimes it can be hard, especially if you don't know a lot of people to go- Yeah. get active. But once you do, that community- Yeah. and that activity is huge. Yeah. You know, to go, just quality of life, you know. Yeah. it's, it's- Absolutely. if we're engaged with people, it makes it a better experience for everyone. Absolutely. Mm-hmm. But, uh, if you don't mind- Absolutely. I'd like to point out- We got some questions for you too. Yeah, I know you do, but I have to, I, I'll be amiss if I don't give a shout out to Joewalla.Uh, she has been quite an addition, um, a wonderful addition to our team. Um, we just had a wedding vow renewal. 71 years married. Awesome. It was featured on every news media. WFAA. CBS. Fox 4. What y'all getting the newspaper? news? 99.5- Yeah. this morning. Okay. okay. Uh, made a shout out to the Loves in Midtowne. Mm-hmm. Midlothian Mirror, Waxahachie Mirror and all, yeah.And all that. Okay. So, when I say that we are definitely, um, making an impression on the community- Mm-hmm.um, you know, reintroducing Midtown- Right.to the community, we're taking it very seriously.And, like I said, I just wanna thank Joelle of all that she has done for the community as well.Absolutely.Thank you for doing that, and forThank you for doing what you do.Oh, thank you.Yeah.Thank you.We need to, as much as we can, because I want the seniors to know like how awesome these communities are.Mm-hmm.And how much of a opportunity and option that it is.Mm-hmm.And just how freeing, and there's stuff you can do.And the news coming.I'm sure that was a field day- Oh, it was standing room-whenEverybody was here to watch it.So-standing room only for that event.Yeah.That's awesome.Yep.Good job.You gonna teach me how to do that?Thank you, yes.Me too.What's included in the monthly cost for assisted living, and what additional services are available, maybe even at an extra charge?Okay.So, um, we have to understand that when we do a cost comparison to life- Mm-hmm.you know, a lot of people think that they can't afford it.Okay, when you sit back, realistically, and think about your mortgage, lights, Wi-Fi- Mm-hmm.you all the amenities that you already have at home, if you take all of that and ball it together, you get a rounded amount.Well, we're pretty comparable to that amount.Right.So, you're really not missing out, uh, on any of your money.Right.You know, uh, it's nothing to be afraid of.Just sit down and literally do a price comparison.Right.Look at all the things that, that, like I said, you use, or, uh, utilize throughout the month, expenditures, and then just look at how much it is.Come by, do a tour, visit.Mm-hmm.You'll get a pricing sheet.It won't be s- you know, stick of shock that you didn't expect it.Right.You'll have that pricing sheet, and then you can literally see, well, apples to oranges what's going on.And, I mean, who can be upset with getting, um, restaurant style fine dining?Mm-hmm.Who could be upset with getting room service?Ooh, me yeah.I'm rightYou know, who, who will be upset about laundry service?Mm-hmm.Um, well, the pets, it's a one-time fee.Okay.One-time fee, not every month.And, we will help you to find like a, you know, a little dog walker or anything if you need that.Okay.Um, once again, full of resources that we could pass on to the residents- Right.and families, to take as much off of them as possible.But at the end of the day, um, once you maintain your health and strength, and participate- Mm-hmm.and everything, do your therapy, stay engaged, you're fine.But as time progresses, we have what's called levels of care.Okay.Some places may have 5 levels of care, you know, it all depends on the property that you go to visit.Right.We just have 3 levels of care.And that could vary under 1,000 to almost 2,000- Okay.depending on what you need.Um, we also have, uh, wonderful partners, networking partners, that can kind of help you level out a little bit.Right.You know?Um, our job is to retain your loved ones' residence here.Right.Um, we will work with you.We will, we will work and advocate for you, to, to maintain as long as we can, um, so, so that your resources will last as long as your loved one.You know?Um, we also have a lot of little secret things going on here at MidTown.You know, uh, little secret people that take care and help people- Right.with their resources that others don't know about.So like I said, MidTown, we're a little gem.There'sWe're a little gem.And we always find- Little energy.a you know, uh, when it comes to our residents.Okay.I appreciate that.And, and I, I know this is a tough question, but I always like to ask it so that articulate for people, like you were saying earlier, what it's costing you for mortgage or rent, plus utilities, plus maintenance, plus transfers, plus all the stuff.When you really add it all up together- Mm-hmm.it's very comferable- comparable to one of the communities, like MidTown here.Exactly.Um, like you were saying, the food.So- Mm-hmm.you have meals included with some of the plans.Mm-hmm.Um, and it's good food.I've had it like- It'sat some of the communities.Like, it's- good.There's a chef out there making the food.Jose does a really good job.Yeah.Jose does a very good job.Yeah.Um, and you have those amenities, and the laundry, and all the things.So when you reallyThat's a, a major point that I wanna make sure people understand, that it's very comparable to independent living at your house, aging in place, but then you have the activities, you have the- Mm-hmm.community side of it, you have the engagement sides, you have the health and awareness sides, you have all of these other things that you don't have at home- Exactly.that really, you get freedom.Mm-hmm.Right.You know, people think they're gonna lose freedom by coming to a community like this, and really, you wind up gaining a lot of freedom.gain so much more.Yeah.So, I always like to touch on that- Absolutely.whenand, and, you know, the, the great thing about our community is, uh, the camaraderie.Um, our me- our memory care, and our AL, they are the most phenomenal group.I've watched people who have transitioned into memory care- Oh.and their friends go knock on that door and go visit them.Yep.That is so sweet.IThat is a moment that- The family never stops.Yes.That's what itfamily never stops.And that's part of that community that you don't know until you come- Yeah.visit a community.Mm-hmm.And you talk to people about, "Oh, you know, it's not like you're on an island by yourself."Mm-hmm."You built these relationships."Yep, I got goosebumps thinking about that one.I did too.felt one too.I love it.So, that leads to my next question.What makes MidTown different than some of the other Civitas communities even?I think this is our third Civitas.Mm-hmm.So, what is y'all's mark?What makes you unique?Oh.We are a family of- Families.families.Okay.That's what we are here at MidTown.Family families, yes.And I can't even take credit for that one.That was one of our residents- Mm-hmm.one of our resident council, uh-uh, ambassador resid- ambassador residence, and she coined that phrase.So now, that's gonna be on every T-shirt, in the- Okay.on the back of it, that we wear moving forward, to represent us here at Midtown.Our family participation is phenomenal.Um, not taking away from any other community.Oh, no.Any other community- We're, each community has its own vibe- own thing.its own culture.And I love how you said the word vibe, because that's what we are.We are a vibe.Um- They're the fun bunch, guys.They're- Like I said, I've talked to a couple of them- When I come up here, I gotta get ready-to have be excited and engaged.We gotta ready.Just throwing that out there.Yeah, we are so much fun.Um, we want the residents to always feel super engaged.And I always say bi- from Monday to Friday, by Friday, we're tapped out.We're exhausted because we've had so much fun.Engagement, uh- Family nights.family nights.I mean- So, let me tell you about my family nights.I'm here.It's go- this is so different.So- That's okay.We, we love different.family nights, I love a theme.I love a theme- Okay.and I love dressing them all up.Okay.All the department heads get dressed up, whatever I want them to dress up as.They were eggs, my Easter eggs for Easter.Yeah, theyOkay.I was, had a Easter bunny thing I wrote on.Had 2 Easter bunnies, and they were all myEven Miss Charity was an Easter egg.Cute little Easter egg, but shh.I like how you strategically played that.They're the eggs, you got to be the bunny, I thethe bunny, I got to, they get to be whatever costume I want them.So anyways, family nights.Right.Easter, we had 45 family members attending.45.That's awesome.the highest in Midtown- Wow.ever, for Easter.For Easter.45.Yes, 45.That's awesome.That is, that's a really good turnout.Yep,I know they're like, hard to put that into context for some of the viewers- Mm-hmm.but that is a big turnout.It's huge.Big turnout.I think last month, or last week, we had 28.Mm-hmm.25 or 28 family members.It was disco night, so we were all dressed in disco fever.Okay.Mm-hmm.So yeah, family nights are I love my family nights.Mm-hmm.And- I'm gonna have to crash a family night.You haveshould come the next month.It's jazz night.Ooh.Cameraman loves jazz.Yes.You see her face?Come and- She loves the jazz.do do jazz night with us.We're gonna have a nice dinner, dress up black and gold.We're gonna like dim the lights, have candles.Yeah, we're gonna have a nice, differentThis is gonna be a different family night.Okay.It's gonna be a little subtle.So I just like to do some different things for my families and for my residents, so make it fun.Absolutely.I'm down.Make itI'm in.But- I'm in.in your last question about, you know, what it is about our passion- Mm-hmm.and passionate care- Mm-hmm.that is our culture.Okay.And that is what we call our point of difference.Um, I could easily say that 90% plus of our residents get a hug every day.Every single day.Nice.They get a hug.Mm-hmm.Um, there's a conversation every day.Nice.There are moments every day that we have with our residents.Um, even when we tour, our residents are so comfortable, um- Is that- And, and they're, I mean, they brag about- Yeah.the community.I don't even have to do the tour.You tour.My residents do it for me.Like, just go talk to the residents.Yeah.They, I don't even do it.Don'tThey come up and they introduce themselves.That's comfortability, that's saying, "Welcome home."Mm-hmm.And that's the energy that I think we have here at Midtown.It's like really feeling a big, hearty, home-style welcome home.Love that.Mm-hmm.I love it.And it, it just, it plays into the whole we're the grandma of the bunch- Mm-hmm.we're the OG of the communities.We kind it.like that one, the OG.I like that one.Oh, IYeah.So just take it, still is.Run with it, run with it.I'llOG.Yeah.Yeah.okay.So if any of the viewers or anybody wants to reach out to come learn more or take a tour in person, how do they do that?Well, there, of course, when you go search online, um, you'll see information about Midtown.You could call me, Jill Alexander, I'm the CRD, the community relations director.You can contact me at 469-615-0720.Um, I do answer my phone all the time.So yeah, it'll be- She does, guys.I do.I do.I do.And, um, either which way, when anyone comes by, my whole team, we're equipped to tour, um, show you around, um- Okay.Joewalla, of course, she's always available as well.Okay.And, uh, she's the best wingman ever.And yeah, just come on down.You could walk in, pop in, 'cause you don't have to get ready when you stay ready.Like I ask all family members- Mm-hmm.when they go touring.And I always hope that we're not the last one that they come visit, because I, I look at them and I say, "What's the most important question?"The most important question that you should ask any marketer, admissions coordinator- Okay.The most imp- You important question that you ask.What's the most important question?The most important question is, would you put your relative in your community?Mm-hmm.Yes, I would.Because my mother-in-law's here. .Ah.Your mother-in-law's here?been here since July of 2023.And I volunteered.Oh, really?And then they hired me in January of this year.Nice.Yeah.So- So it is a family, a family- is a family- A family is family.That'srecreate families.IThat's right.And I love it.She loves it.And- Nice.we're very happy.We, this was the only location we visited.I mean- Okay.we came here and my husband's like, "This is it."This is the one.The small community, this is what he wanted for her.Okay.that's what we did.We moved her in, and then I volunteered, and I started working in July.You loved volunteered.Yes.And you volunteered so much they said, "Well, let's just put you on payroll."Yeah, let's put you on the payroll, let's go.And I Awesome.Thank you guys for watching, I appreciate it.Like, subscribe, follow.Um, and if you found value in this, I know I did, and I do it, I talk to communities all day every day, uh, seniors, whether it's relocating or selling, and I always learn something.That's why I do these videos.So if you found value, please, please share it with somebody else so that they can find value too and we can continue to educate people.