A brand-new, luxury assisted living community conveniently located between Cincinnati and Dayton, The Aurora at Otterbein SeniorLife Lebanon is full of lavish amenities and illuminated spaces, but perhaps its best quality is the compassionate atmosphere that permeates the entire community – from residents to staff to leadership.
The Aurora is best characterized by the compassionate and vibrant staff partners and administrators who spend their days serving residents and touching lives. Check out the video below for an inside perspective of what it’s like to be part of The Aurora family.
Residents Always Come First
Just like all Otterbein SeniorLife communities, The Aurora is resident-centric. Every decision is made, every day is planned, and every change is thought through with a focus on how residents will benefit and thrive as a result.
“Even in a busy world, where we’ve had the pandemic, we can still just say, ‘The residents are still first. Nothing else really matters,’” said Dawn Burnett, Director of Assisted Living at Otterbein Lebanon.
For Dawn, interacting with and serving the residents on a daily basis is a source of personal joy. For example, she often accompanies a certain longtime Otterbein Lebanon resident on quiet walks outside, where they both enjoy feeding the fish in the koi pond.
“We just walk around in the fresh air, and I know for this individual, she so loves that personal time – just to be able to spend a minute in the midst of a busy day,” said Dawn.
Residents and Staff are Like Family
If you observe interactions between residents and staff partners, it’s obvious that these relationships more closely resemble family than anything else. There’s a mutual respect and sense of compassion that is hard to find elsewhere.
“I love to bring smiles to my residents, and it fulfills my spirit when I make them happy and do things for them… My goal is to come in and take care of the people how I’d like my family member taken care of,” said Mary Gross, who has worked at Otterbein for more than 30 years as an STNA.
Drew Allen, Culinary Director at Otterbein Lebanon, echoes that same sentiment, saying, “The spirit of Otterbein is something that you can’t see, but it’s something that our residents and partners say that they can feel. We are a family, as we like to say.”
Faith-Based Values Run Deep
Ever since it was founded over 100 years ago, Otterbein SeniorLife embraces United Methodist Church values and ideals, and The Aurora shares in that same legacy. Fun fact: Otterbein Community Church, the on-campus faith community, is the only congregation in a retirement community in America.
The congregation worships together regularly and also has a heart for missions, participating in outreach throughout the Cincinnati community and beyond.
“This community was founded under spiritual leadership, and it’s been that way ever since. So when we say here at Otterbein that we live and we follow a United Methodist Tradition, that tradition includes acceptance of all others,” said Tom Mellott, senior pastor of Otterbein Community Church.
More About Life at The Aurora Assisted Living
Learn more about The Aurora on our website, where you’ll find information on floor plans, services and amenities, dining, and more. You can also sign up using our webform to schedule a visit, receive a brochure, and get pricing and availability.
