We work hard to meet the needs of our residents.  We strive to provide residents with a safe and secure home environment, healthcare, great dining experiences, a family-like atmosphere, and peaceful surroundings. 

Our close proximity to amenities like shopping and restaurants allows our Activity Department to design a full schedule of events at the Mary Bryant Home and out in the surrounding community for the enjoyment of our residents. 

Admission Requirements

Residents of the Mary Bryant Home must be 22 years of age or older, be blind or visually impaired with at least 20/70 vision, be ambulatory and self-sufficient.   Married couples over age 65 are welcome even if one spouse is sighted.  Admission is open to all who meet these requirements regardless of race, creed, gender, or national origin.  Mary Bryant Home firmly believes all of our residents should have as many choices and opportunities as possible so they may lead an active and independent life.  We have a variety of support services to make this a reality.

Our Studio Apartments are beautiful clutter-free rooms which have an open floor plan with ample storage.  The kitchenette has optimal counter space with a sink, refrigerator, and microwave.  A built in entertainment center also serves as book shelves, a desk top workspace, and features a secure locking drawer to place valuables.  Each bathroom offers a walk-in shower with a fold down bench seat as well as a hand held shower head.

The Suite features a full size living room, perfect for entertaining family and friends.  The kitchen features a breakfast bar, microwave, double bowl sink, and full size refrigerator.  The joining single bedroom has a bathroom which offers comfort and privacy.  Storage space abounds throughout the suite.

All apartments are equipped with personal climate control, Wi-Fi, an Emergency Call System, and UV room darkening curtains. 

The Common Living Areas

We encourage our residents to be an active participant of the community at Mary Bryant Home by providing common areas for residents to socialize.

Activity Room

Residents can enjoy hours of fun in the activity room playing cards, board games, participating in scheduled activities, or just enjoying a cup of coffee or soda with friends.  Snacks, juices, coffee and tea are available 24 hours a day.  Group activities take place every day and residents are encouraged to join in.

Fitness Center

The Mary Bryant Home has an in-house fitness center for residents to use at their convenience.  Some of the equipment includes a treadmill, stationary bike, weights, and a universal gym unit.  The activity department offers group exercise sessions throughout the week.

Library

If reading is your pleasure, we invite you to check out our library.  It is fully stocked with books in Braille, large print, and audio format.  Computers are available for residents to use in the library and are equipped with the latest technology in magnifying and reading software as well as document readers and CCTV’s.

Courtyard & Memorial Garden

When the weather warms and the sun shines in Central Illinois, our residents enjoy the fresh air outside in our private courtyard.  This secure space allows residents to enjoy BBQ cookouts, the outdoor swing, or the sensory flower gardens created by the Springfield Garden Club.  Plants chosen for the garden offer a variety of textures and aromas, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.  Sounds from the water feature create a calm throughout the courtyard.

Dining

Mary Bryant Home employs excellent chefs and cooks who prepare three delicious and nutritious hot meals each day for those residents who choose to eat in the pleasant surroundings of our dining room.  Meals include a selection of entrees, soups, salads, breads, and desserts.  A licensed dietician is on staff to create special meal plans for individual needs.

Health Care

Registered nurses (RN) and licensed professional nurses (LPN) are employed to assist the residents with their healthcare needs.  CNA’s are on site around the clock and assist residents when requested with the following:

• Medication management
• Medical care management
• Personal hygiene assistance
• Scheduling doctor appointments
• Regular vital assessments

Support Services

Housekeeping and Laundry

Housekeeping and laundry services are available by request.  To stress independence, an in-house laundry room with washers and dryers is always open to residents and assistance is available.  Detergent and fabric softener is provided at no cost to residents.  We also have an in-house convenience store with a selection of toiletry items, postage stamps, greeting cards, and other accouterments available for purchase.

Hair Care Services

Licensed beauticians offer appointments for a nominal fee at the in-house hair care center.  

Message Service

As many of our residents have family and friends living out of state, we offer a message delivery service to our residents through an email address: residents@marybryanthome.org.  For example, parents who live in Georgia can email their son at the Mary Bryant Home, by simply putting the name of the resident in the subject line.  An administrative staff member retrieves the email and then formats the parents’ message into a format their son can read: Braille, large print, or into an audio file.  It is a service we are happy to offer our residents and their families.?

Activities

We have a busy community at the Mary Bryant Home, and the busiest place is the activity department.  Each month our Activity Director designs a full schedule of events tailored for the enjoyment of our visually impaired residents.  This monthly calendar is given to each resident and participation is encouraged, but not required. 

Activities include but are not limited to:

• Card games, trivia, and bingo in Braille and large print
• Exercise program in the fitness center during the week
  
• Bible studies
• Live entertainment: Local bands, theater in the park, concerts
• Enjoying a favorite radio or TV program in the activity room with friends
• Social gatherings
• Cooking classes in the residents’ kitchen
• Offsite outings to ball games, drive-in movies, AALC yearly competitions, Special Olympics, plays, dining out, day trips, overnight camping, local outdoor theater at the Muni Opera

Transportation

 The Mary Bryant Home has two 15 passenger vans, and other vehicles that are used to transport residents to appointments and activities.  Transportation for residents is provided to and from local medical appointments and one-on-one shopping, when scheduled, at no charge.

Transportation to out-of-town venues is available to residents for a nominal fee.  We are also a stop along the Springfield Mass Transit District bus route, specifically route #10, which our residents may choose to use.