Just don’t call them nursing homes.
As people live longer and stay active longer, the number of options for retirees who are thinking of moving to a residence that offers services tailored to people their age have risen dramatically.
The various types of housing offer different levels of service. Independent Living — also known as 55+ or continuing-care retirement communities — typically provides townhomes, condos or apartments designed for seniors. They have amenities that give daily assistance to residents as well as providing services such as transportation to events, in-house entertainment and restaurant-style dining.
In an Assisted Living community, staff is available around the clock to help with daily needs, such as meals and dispensing medication. Memory Care housing cares for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, providing therapies and living assistance. Skilled Nursing facilities offer care for those with an illness, chronic condition or injury. Respite Care provides short-term care that offers a break for the regular caregiver. Behavioral Care relates to an individual’s mental well-being.
For those who are contemplating such a move, the following facilities offer a range of services as well as offerings that cater to the needs of Jewish residents.
Chelsea Senior Living
Multiple Locations in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
Each of the 16 properties run by Chelsea Senior Living offer a wide range of care that includes Assisted Living, Memory Care and Respite Care. Three of the facilities have Independent Living and one offers Behavioral Care. Five additional properties will be open by the end of 2019. Residents come from all over the country and typically move to a Chelsea facility to be close to family members.
“All of our facilities are managed and staffed by people recruited locally, so there’s a true community spirit in each of our buildings,” said Tom Kranz, who is Chelsea’s director of communications.
The Chelsea’s Signature Lifestyle Program includes a range of offerings for residents, including social gatherings, good-works projects for local nonprofits, and outings for meals, movies and other entertainment. There are frequent guest speakers on subjects such as financial planning, Medicare and Medicaid and veterans’ benefits. Other activities include pet therapy, cooking demonstrations and a current events program. Physical, occupational and speech therapy is also available on site. Chefs can accommodate special dietary restrictions. For Jewish residents, there are trips to local synagogues, visits by rabbis and services held on site for holidays.
Basic Assisted Living accommodations range from $5,000 to $7,000 a month, with additional fees for memory care and medication management.
MorseLife Health System
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Palm Beach County, Florida
At MorseLife Health System’s 47-acre campus, care is provided in a number of settings, including a full service, resort-style Independent Living residence for active seniors; a residence for Assisted Living; a program for those with memory impairment; and a nursing care facility. Included in the cost of the residences are housekeeping, flat linen service, utilities, transportation, security and meals. Residents must be at least 65 years old.
The facility “is a nationally recognized center of excellence in senior care, providing comprehensive health care, housing and supportive services for the elderly population of Palm Beach County,” said Greg Goodman, who is MorseLife’s director of communications.
Services include a full-service medical clinic led by a Harvard-trained, board-certified geriatrician, concierge and transportation services, a wellness/fitness center, a spa and a beauty salon. Residents can attend more than 350 activities each month, including lectures from local speakers, films shown in an intimate cinema, cards, games, arts and crafts programs, veterans clubs and escorted outings to entertainment venues in Palm Beach County.
MorseLife is one of the few senior-care campuses in Florida that offers glatt kosher dining. In addition, a full-time rabbi leads Shabbat and holiday services. During the High Holidays, kiddush luncheons are provided.
Fees range from $5,400 to $9,585.
Riverview Senior Independent Living
New York City
Nestled on the West Side of Manhattan, Riverview offers an Independent Living facility for seniors. A resident who needs further assistance may hire a third-party home health care service. A wide variety of social and recreational activities are offered on site as well as daily meals and cleaning services. Residents must be at least 62 years old.
Riverview is “just steps from everything that New York City has to offer,” said Linda Bazerjian, a senior public affairs associate. “Residents are surrounded by other like-minded individuals.” Many have lived in New York City all their lives, while others have moved there to be close to family.
The facility provides visiting doctors, nurses and podiatrists, delivery of medication and housekeeping, which includes weekly full-linen services. Restaurant-style dining is offered for all meals, with a full wait staff, and low-fat and low-sodium options are available. Emergency pendants are given to all residents.
There is a game room, an arts and crafts room, a coffee and tea lounge, a movie theater, a computer lounge, a library and a fitness center. There are daily workshops and events, as well as excursions to Atlantic City and places of interest in Manhattan. The rooftop garden and other outdoor spaces are available to residents.
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Apartments start at $3,300 a month. There is no entrance fee, and no lease is required.
Springpoint Senior Living
Multiple Locations in New Jersey and Delaware
Springpoint’s full-service senior living communities offer a mix of housing, hospitality, dining services, social opportunities and healthcare at campus-like locations. Living options include apartments or freestanding cottage homes for Independent Living, as well as facilities for Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care and rehabilitation. Residents must be at least 62 years old.
The facilities offer a whole-person wellness program called LivWell that includes physical fitness, routine and preventive care, and emotional, environmental, spiritual, intellectual and social wellness. Other medical offerings include blood pressure checks, flu shots, balance assessments and specialist appointments.
A wide range of activities is available to residents, such as visits to museums, concerts, cultural events and lectures. In addition to classes and games, there are lively happy hours, discussion groups, lectures and a wide array of volunteer opportunities. There are also singing groups, opportunities to pursue hobbies such as woodworking, and dancing and yoga classes. Shabbat services are offered, as well as spiritual resources and educational opportunities.
Residents pay a one-time entrance fee and a monthly service fee that covers almost all living expenses, including taxes, housecleaning, regularly scheduled transportation and other services. The facilities offer a “Residents First Guarantee” that fully refunds the entrance fee for someone who decides to leave a community within 60 days.
