I used to leave my work as a therapist in assisted living feeling haunted. The long, dark hallways, with maybe a single window at the far end, felt oppressive. A coworker once called our workplace a “warehouse for lives,” and the sad truth of that statement stuck with me.

When we designed Bosque Haven, we knew sunlight had to be a priority. We intentionally designed our home with hallways that have resident rooms on just one side. The other is a wall of over 30 windows, flooding the space with uplifting, natural light—and that’s not counting the window in each resident’s private room.

This isn’t just for looks; it’s a vital part of health and happiness. Sunlight helps regulate sleep patterns, which is essential for staying active. It naturally lifts moods, easing the anxiety that can come with life changes. Most importantly, it keeps our home bright to prevent falls.

As a therapist, I couldn’t knock down walls. But with Bosque Haven, Doug and I have built a community from the ground up to be a comfortable and warm environment where our residents can truly feel at home.

My mom always joked that if she ever went gray, I should just bury her with a box of hair dye. It’s a funny thought, but it really highlights how much our appearance matters to us, no matter our age. Feeling good about how we look can make a world of difference.

That’s something I always kept in mind while working with patients. My routine included a quick trip to the restroom for a little personal care—brushing hair and teeth. For my veteran patients, I’d bring them shaving cream and a razor. Shaving wasn’t just a habit for them; it was a part of who they were. It was an important ritual that helped them feel like themselves.

At Bosque Haven, we’re creating a space that honors this need. Our salon will be a welcoming place for everyone—men and women alike—to receive beauty care. But it’s more than just a place for haircuts. We’ll also use this room for doctor and dental appointments, making it a comfortable and familiar spot for all sorts of care. It’s about providing a space where our residents can always feel their best.

Doug and I are incredibly excited about a key feature of our mansions: each one will have 16 private bedrooms. It was so important to us to give our residents their own personal space—a room they can truly make their own. This creates a place where they can feel safe and comfortable during a vulnerable time in their lives, and where their families can visit without having to whisper. We believe that everyone deserves the privacy needed for intimate moments and personal reflection.

Our focus wasn’t just on residents, but on our incredible caregivers as well. Having worked in facilities for years, I’ve seen the emotional toll this work takes on these angels. It’s simply impossible to provide high-quality physical and emotional care to countless people in crowded hallways.

Our goal is to create a nurturing environment that celebrates our caregivers and stops the burnout and high turnover that’s so common in this industry. We want to give them a space where they can truly thrive and be proud of the quality care they’re able to provide, instead of leaving each shift feeling defeated. We’ve created a place where everyone can feel at home.

Almost a year ago, Doug proposed the idea of residential assistive living as our next venture. After countless hours of research, diving into podcasts, watching YouTube videos and meeting with experienced individuals in the field, we decided to take the leap. With the invaluable guidance of incredible mentors like Brett and Laura, Doug and I are thrilled to bring this much-needed service to New Mexico.

My passion for the geriatric population began during my rotations in school, and for nearly 9 years, I’ve dedicated my career as a Physical Therapist Assistant to enhancing their mobility and prolonged independence.

However, there comes a time in everyone’s life when 24-hour care becomes necessary. This transition can be frightening for the patient and heartbreaking for their family.

This is precisely where Doug and I want to step in and offer support, providing a safe, cozy environment for the loved one’s final years.

We understand that the assisted living industry has faced challenges regarding trust, but we are committed to changing that narrative.

We’re excited to share our journey with you as we work to create a beautiful and trustworthy option for the seniors in our community. Stay tuned for updates on our progress.

Here is a little sneak peak of the current design.