People traveling along Church Hill Road have watched with interest during recent months as Church Hill Village has been taking shape on the busy corner of Church Hill Road and The Boulevard.

The 3.97-acre plot of vacant former farmland had stood silent along the thoroughfare for decades, the overgrown site fringed with the remnants of a decaying stone wall, symbolic of its agricultural past.

After receiving borough land-use approvals in October 2017, the site is being developed into a facility to provide its resdients with luxury-grade assisted living apartments and also memory care for people with dementia.

Plans for the 12-building complex of interconnected structures were submitted to the Borough Zoning Commission by Teton Capital Company LLC of Old Greenwich.

In keeping with the land’s farming past, the buildings’ exteriors bear an agricultural motif, and the stone wall has been rebuilt. The site, which formerly had the address 37 Church Hill Road, now is known as 2 The Boulevard.

Church Hill Village, scheduled to open this November, is the first assisted living/memory care complex to be built in the borough. Senior Lifestyle, a Chicago-based corporation in the elderly housing industry, will operate the facility.

Church Hill Village is designed for residents who are generally over age 75 and who require assistance with the activities of daily living, including some nursing care.

When completed, the complex will have buildings that enclose approximately 66,960 square feet of space.

Residential Environment

Laura Pulsifer, the executive director at Church Hill Village; Sandi Werner, corporate sales specialist; and Nancy Cutter, vice president of development for Senior Lifestyle, spoke recently about the presence of a such a facility locally.

The complex will offer bus transportation for its residents for shopping trips and doctors’ appointments. It is expected that the families and friends of residents will frequently visit them at Church Hill Village because they will not live very far away, Ms Pulsifer said.

Also, it is expected that the 71-bed facility will have many more female than male residents, when considering that women generally live longer than men. Forty-nine residents would receive assisted living services, with the 22 others receiving memory care.

Ms Pulsifer expects that it will take at least several months for Church Hill Village to reach its resident capacity after it opens. The different features of the several different residential units, which are known as “neighborhoods,” will provide a variety of activities that meet various people’s needs, she said.

Ms Pulsifer noted that the presence of Church Hill Village has created much interest among Newtown and Sandy Hook residents who want to work at the complex.

Ms Werner commented that residents at Church Hill Village will be allowed to have pets, and the rental apartments in which residents live will be furnished with residents’ furniture.

The minimum age for residents is 62.

To make the complex a bright, cheerful place to live, it contains many windows and skylights, she said. Entertainment will be provided on a regular basis. Family members will be encouraged to visit and dine with their elderly relatives.

A varied menu will be offered by a chef who prepares three meals daily, she added.

Senior Lifestyle is a large firm with 180 senior living facilities located in 28 states, Ms Werner said. Church Hill Village will be a civic-minded facility, she commented, adding, that it will be involved in many community activities.

“We want to offer lots of options” for the residents of Church Hill Village, she said. “We offer top quality care.”

“This is really a very social environment...We’re a community,” Ms Werner said.

Ms Cutter, who is an architect specializing in senior hosing facilities, said a goal of Church Hill Village is to place residents in a “homelike” environment during their stay there. As vice president of development, Ms Cutter oversees a range of technical consultants who work for Senior Lifestyle in creating residential complexes for senior citizens.

Memory Care

Church Hill Village will be somewhat unique in its offering of various memory care programs and support for residents with dementia. Embrace is Senior Lifestyle’s supportive approach to providing memory care.

Developed through the use of best practices, the latest research, and strategic partnerships with dementia care leaders. Embrace is rooted in the understanding that when memories fade, it is moments that matter.

The Embrace program is comprised of several components designed to support residents, families, and the facility’s team through the day-to-day journey of memory loss:

*Embrace Wellness is a sensory stimulation program based on aromatherapy principles and is designed to support residents with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

The latest research has shown that aromatherapy has reduced anxiety and depression and has improved mood, according to the firm. “Scent memories” awaken feelings of comfort and happiness. Scent memories become pathways to the past, which can start conversations and reminiscence.

*Embrace Enrichment through Thymeless, a daily garden-to-table program in which residents grow and prepare healthy, fresh, and delicious food to enjoy. Participants work in the gardening area identifying plants that need watering, weeding, or harvesting.

Following their time in the garden, participants are involved in food preparation by preparing a snack and later enjoying it with friends. The ongoing use and development of preserved habits, skills, and passions in the garden or through food preparation can help residents feel productive, successful, and accomplished, according to Senior Lifestyle.

*Embrace Challenge promotes engagement, cognitive stimulation, and making connections. In support of lifelong learners, residents are encouraged to participate in challenging activities.

Challenges can be fun and can provide opportunity for personal and relational growth, according to the firm. The program encourages physical activity, better nutrition, restful sleep, relaxation, social interaction, and mental stimulation.

*Embrace Connection — Senior Lifestyle believes that an integral part of supporting residents with dementia is supporting the emotional wellness of both the resident and their loved ones. The Embrace program provides opportunities for continued connection between residents and their loved ones through specially designed programs, support, and education, according to the firm.

* Embrace Creativity is a reading program for older adults with dementia. The program supports residents with Alzheimer’s and related dementias in the exploration of the written word. There are monthly meetings, which last 30 minutes or more. The program allows participants to maintain reading enjoyment.

During monthly meetings, participants socialize in a small group setting and develop friendships, Senior Lifestyle explains.

According to Senior Lifestyle, “It’s our mission to help (residents) feel worthy, loved. and purposeful. Memory loss is devastating, but it’s not the end of a person’s journey; it’s the start of a new path.” The firm wants that path to be filled with loving relationships, compassionate care, purpose, and joy.

Special Technology

Church Hill Village will also employ computer technology for seniors, focusing on ease of use and enhanced visual displays. Touch-screen computers are programmed for activities, games, therapy, reminiscing, music, and virtual travel.

The technology provides an opportunity for residents to connect with the world around them, particularly with their family and friends.

Also, electronic memory boxes will be available to people with memory loss, according to the firm.

When a senior who has Alzheimer’s opens a memory box, it can stir thoughts of happy moments in life and give that person something to talk about. Fond memories of a senior’s history, personal interests, and youth can be explored.

Also, memory boxes can be used by residents to stimulate conversations with caregivers, children, or grandchildren.

Learn more at seniorlifestyle.com/property/church-hill-village, or check out the facility’s site on Facebook, facebook.com/churchhillvillage.