Family Activities at The Sarah House: From Planting Flowers to Holiday Decorating
When a parent moves into assisted living, the hardest part for most adult children isn't the logistics. It's the worry that their role in their parent's daily life is about to shrink. We hear it in tour conversations all the time. Will I still feel like I'm part of Mom's world? Will I just be a visitor now? At The Sarah House in Ormond Beach, family involvement isn't a visiting hour rule. It's something we've built into the rhythm of both our buildings over 20 years, and it shows up in the small, ordinary things families do alongside our residents.
Why Family Activities Sit at the Center of The Sarah House
The Sarah House Way is built around the idea that every resident needs a life purpose. That language sits at the heart of our mission, and it shapes the way we run both communities. A purpose isn't found in being looked after. It's found in being part of something. When families show up to plant something or decorate something with their loved one, the resident isn't a recipient of care for those hours. They're a contributor. That distinction matters more than any amenity on a brochure.
Gardening Together: Hands in the Soil at The Sarah House
Planting flowers is one of the family activities that happens organically at our buildings. Adult children, grandkids, and residents work side by side. There's something about gardening that engages the whole person at once, and that kind of multisensory engagement aligns with how we approach daily life at our Old Tomoka Road home, where promoting the use of all five senses is part of how we support residents. For families, it's a relaxed way to spend an afternoon that doesn't require constant conversation to feel like a real connection.
Decorating for the Holidays as a Whole Family
Christmas at The Sarah House is a family project, not a staff project. Families come in to help decorate the building alongside their loved one, turning the residence into a home for the season. For a resident, having their daughter or grandson decorating in the same room as them is grounding in a way that's hard to put into words. For families, it gives the holiday a shared task and a shared memory, instead of the awkward dynamic of a holiday visit where no one quite knows what to do with the time.
Mealtimes That Welcome Family at The Sarah House
Mealtimes work differently in our communities, and that flexibility extends to families, too. With a chef cooking from scratch in each of our buildings and groceries bought fresh every morning, residents choose what they want to eat. Our caregivers are trained to accommodate different eating habits and schedules, so a quiet visit during a meal feels easy and unhurried.
Why Small Group Settings Make Family Time Feel Different
There's a reason family activities feel natural at The Sarah House. We're small on purpose. Old Tomoka Road serves up to 24 residents, and Forest Court serves up to 35. Families get to know our caregivers, and our caregivers get to know them. The result is that when a daughter shows up to help her mom plant flowers, it feels like family being family.
Conclusion
Family involvement is one of the things we're proudest of after 20 years in Ormond Beach, and it's one of the easiest things to see in person. To schedule a tour at either of our communities, call us at (386) 223-1785 or use the Request a Tour form at daytonaassistedliving.com.
FAQs
Are families welcome to participate in activities with their loved ones?
Yes. Families are part of the rhythm of both our buildings, and we encourage them to plant flowers, help decorate for the holidays, and join in everyday moments alongside their loved ones.
What are the visiting hours at The Sarah House?
Visiting hours run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at both communities. Families can also designate an essential caregiver for additional in-person visitation beyond regular hours.
Can the extended family visit, too?
Yes. The generous visiting hours give families flexibility to plan time around what works for them.
How do we schedule a visit or a tour?
Call (386) 223-1785 or fill out the Request a Tour form at daytonaassistedliving.com to set up a time at Old Tomoka Road or Forest Court.