Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2014

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Dwelling
It’s Like One Big Family
Sandpiper
Edna James moved into the
Sandpiper Rehabilitation and Nursing
Center on Mother’s Day 2014,
relocating from Charlotte temporarily,
she thought, while she was recovering
from a recent injury. Now she never
wants to leave.
At the age of 80, James has decided that leaving
Sandpiper, a Mount Pleasant facility that offers
independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation and
nursing, is no longer an option.
“Everything is so exciting. I love it here,” she
commented. “There’s lots to do
and nice people. I never run out of
things to do. I love it here. It’s like one big family.”
James, who was in an independent living facility in
Charlotte before relocating to Mount Pleasant, is so
enthusiastic that she is known around Sandpiper as “The
Ambassador.” She takes every opportunity to sing the
praises of her new home. Her daughter, Lowcountry
resident Dana Gondek, agrees that leaving North Carolina
behind was the right move for her mom.
“Everyone here works together. The administration, the
nurses, the social workers,” she said. “The residents get the
best care and nutrition possible. Sandpiper is leaps and
bounds above the facility in Charlotte.”
James’ busy days are taken up by group activities,
occupational and physical therapy, exercise, word games,
Bible study and other activities for the mind and body.
There’s a party on every holiday, and residents leave
Sandpiper for excursions, lunch and even baseball games at
Joe Riley Stadium in Charleston.
Though she had some physical problems when she
arrived at Sandpiper, James does her best to make life
easier and more enjoyable for her fellow residents.
“My goal is to help people who can’t help themselves. I
get pleasure from that,” she remarked.
The same could be said of Sandpiper in general. The
community is divided into three sections: independent
living, assisted living, and rehabilitation and nursing.
At Sandpiper Village, which includes 114 apartments
ranging in size from 625 to 1,300 square feet, people live
independently without nursing care. They do enjoy the
By BRIan SHeRMan
convenience of housekeeping services, a full dining room
offering three meals a day, an exercise center, a heated
swimming pool, a full calendar of activities and trips to
stores and events in the community.
There are 54 beds at Sandpiper Courtyard Assisted
Living, where staff members provide help based on the
specific needs of each resident. Amenities include large
TVs to view special events and movies, a private dining
room for family gatherings, a library, recreational activities,
a courtyard patio, access to physical, occupational and
speech therapy, a full-service beauty and barber salon and
care and supervision.
Admissions Director Kay Drummond pointed out
that the 176-bed Sandpiper Rehabilitation and Nursing
Center can serve one of two purposes. Skilled nursing is
for residents who require help bathing, eating and dressing
and need full-time nursing care. Following rehabilitation,
some patients return home or to assisted living, while
others might transition to the nursing home.
Sandpiper, part of the Mount Pleasant community
since 1981, is currently in the process of renovating its
rooms “to enhance the aesthetics,” Drummond said. She
pointed out that new flooring is being installed, and crown
molding and built-in cabinets are being added.
To learn more about all Sandpiper has to offer, visit
or call 843-972-0542.
edna James in her room at Sandpiper. Photo by William Quarles.