Cedar Creek Lodge opened in the spring of 2021 with the goal to provide worry-free living in comfortable and inviting apartments that provide independence and assistance. Cedar Creek Lodge has maintained from the beginning, that the approach to senior care should be focused on the individual wants and needs of each and every resident they serve. While they certainly have done that, they’ve also made some adjustments along the way. 
Upon reaching their one-year anniversary, Regional Director, Operations RJ Flowers says they are going in a different direction than initially designed when they first opened. “We’ve really figured out that there’s a unique, niche space within this boutique senior living. We were nodding towards that from the beginning but we really have seen that is something that does separate us,” said Flowers. He continued stating that they came into the business committed to offering a great dining program, elevated events and activities for the residents but he says they have forced themselves and pushed themselves to strive for better. 
“We take great pride in giving these residents a really special place to live. I often say it’s not just about a person living here, it’s about how they thrive here, says Flowers. What does thriving look like? It looks like the genuine smiles you see on the resident’s faces during a special Valentine’s meal, dancing at a recreated prom or during an afternoon activity. Administrator Brett Parish says that’s one of the things that sets them apart from other facilities, genuine happiness in the resident’s faces. 
Parish says that residents can be as active or inactive as they choose to be on a daily basis. Cedar Creek Lodge has a calendar full of various activities to suit everyone’s tastes including rotating ministers of varying churches, midday walking, flower arranging, book clubs and more. Something the lodge is particularly proud of is its menu and its options. Changing their breakfast menu to give residents the option to order as if they were in a restaurant has been well received. Residents are given the opportunity to handle needed errands such as picking up prescriptions or their dry cleaning but usually make a point to get back for an afternoon activity. The afternoons are usually comprised of substantial activities for residents like poker day, movie theater visits, happy hours, book clubs, winery tastings, gardening club visits and more stated Parish. Residents at Cedar Creek Lodge can take advantage of wellness programs, monthly excursions, housekeeping and linen services, scheduled transportation, a beauty/barber shop and 24/7 staffing with emergency maintenance. 
A partnership with culinary students at Mabank High School originated with Cedar Creek Lodge wanting to give back to the community they serve. The chef and Parish discussed the option of giving local high school students an internship with real experience. Currently, there are two students in the program which continually wow not only residents but also the staff. Parish hopes that this internship will continue through the summer and into the following year. 
“We’ve been very fortunate to from the day we opened up, when we were pre-leasing that so many of the community partners like home health and hospice were coming in wanting to show their support and that’s just continued. That makes it feel so community-based,” said Flowers. 
When asked what they do differently from other facilities, Flowers states, “I think we really have done a nice job of creating that unique living experience for mom or dad as they enter this next chapter of their life. I think people can feel good about bringing their loved ones here.” He states that they are very transparent and are committed to giving the residents the very best experience they possibly can. 
Flowers and Parish want prospective residents and their families to know that they offer a unique experience here in East Texas. “We’re building that true sense of family and community and if you move here, you’ll find your place here,” says Flowers. “I ask people and encourage them to look at other properties, pay attention to how you feel when you walk in. That’s a raw answer they are giving me. We’ve adopted our resident’s personalities mixed with ours and I think that’s the blend that you want. You can’t pay for that, it’s an integrity thing. Doing what’s right even when no one is watching,” Parish explains. 
Cedar Creek Lodge recognizes its staff, has employee recognition and helps one another. They include employees’ families in the activities which creates an environment that makes staff feel they are a part of a bigger picture. The staff at Cedar Creek Lodge, genuinely wants to be there and have made the decision to make this a career. 
Flowers says this really has been a labor of love. “You don’t do this business if you don’t care about people. A year before, we didn’t know what our staff and residents would look like and you fast forward a year and we couldn’t have asked for better.” Parish says they are grateful for being able to partner with the community. 
Cedar Creek Lodge is located at 322 E. Main Street in Gun Barrel City and can be reached at (903) 887-0236. Visit their website at 
www.cedarcreek-lodge.com for more information and to schedule a tour.