A True Home for Alzheimer’s.

Creating a “home” for a loved one enduring Alzheimer’s can become life’s most trying decision. When sufferers live alone, even with a spouse, the family must assure safety, nutrition, health care, and companionship for that individual. The result is a disease that takes a toll on the sufferer, and heavily impacts the family

The Cliffs at Eagle Rock in West Orange just opened a new, state-of-the-art Alzheimer’s wing. Supported by the Baptist Home Society, the mission for this haven of loving care is to create home-like comfort for the resident. In a physically striking 16-resident facility, residents find the same environment that exists in the adjacent assisted living residence.

The Haven’s experienced professional staff knows the impact of Alzheimer’s on families. “Remaining in the family home can create a static life for a person enduring dynamic transitions.”, said Ann Ortega, RN, BSN, MA, CALA, Director of The Cliffs at Eagle Rock. Ann encourages all to consider the following when making care decisions:

Safety – Can you be there? At home a person with this disease needs supervision to assure they don’t drive, get lost, or take a fall. At The Haven they receive 24/7 attention
Nutrition – Will they forget a meal, even when delivered by a service? At The Haven nutrition is balanced, considers individual tastes, striving to make eating a joy once again
Health Care – Realize your loved one may not tell you of pains, illness or injury. Professional nursing care is available 24/7 at The Haven, medications are managed, families always apprised of health status.
Companionship – Perhaps the greatest difference between at home care and The Haven. is community. Haven residents participate, each in activities specific for that individual, stimulating the mind and maintaining the body. Residents may fully participate in the assisted living activities.

The haven created at The Cliffs is the new home where those with this disease are helped to adapt and accept life’s changes. Here families can confidently enjoy and participate in the tender care for their loved one.

Award Winning Assisted-Living Design Re-Invents West Orange Historic Site To Provide a Christian Setting for New Jersey’s Elderly

West Orange NJ: The remnants of a horse barn on the century old quarry that once provided stone for the building of the Caldwell Presbyterian Church, the Reformed Church in East Orange and the rebuilding of the Grace Protestant Episcopal Churches in Orange and Newark, was itself transformed into a church made from the same stone.

It is fitting, that in it’s latest incarnation, the old quarry site, turned church sanctuary, located on Eagle Rock Road in West Orange, New Jersey should be reborn as a new, award winning state-of –the-art assisted living facility for senior citizens housed in a Christian setting.

The Cliffs at Eagle Rock, currently being constructed under the auspices of The Baptist Home Society in Newark, has already been honored with distinction in a design competition sponsored by the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments, and memorialized in the publication of Design: An annual publication of Nursing Homes and Long Term Care Management 2004.

The Baptist Home Society, a member of the American Baptist Association of New Jersey, has been ministering to the needs of the elderly for the past 100-years in Newark with the support of over 59 supporting NJ churches. The Baptist Home takes pride in the sturdy history of what will be the site of their new home that has come of age: The Cliffs at Eagle Rock. A presentation team has begun visiting area churches to provide details about the facility to encourage seniors to consider The Cliffs as an inviting Christian community for supportive residence.

The historic Brownstone Chapel on the site has been deftly incorporated into the new design that will house 59 Assisted-Living apartments along with a 16 room Alzheimer’s wing. Residents will have easy access to the historic chapel through glass-enclosed Colonnade and covered walkway, leading directly to the chapel.

The layout of the building creates “cluster” or “neighborhood’ living and interior detailing stresses the value of hand craftsmanship to mirror it’s roots, as well as time-tested values to provide excellent care for its residents for the next 100 years.

The Cliffs at Eagle Rock is scheduled to open in November 2004. To learn more about the Cliffs and its facilities, call 973-669-5599, or go one line to: www.thecliffsateaglerock.org.

How Home Has Changed - Assisted Living Today

For much of the last century the word “home” had a double meaning. Traditionally home named a place of security, warmth, stability and family. The essence of home reflected an individual’s personality. The other use of the word meant guardianship, the consignment of the aged and infirm to a facility… an “old aged home”.

Today’s aging population find a new way to create their home. Many seniors elect assisted living is their ideal way of life, removing the stress of continuing care from families.

“I can honestly say this place has become my home. The staff makes it so easy for me to contribute to all aspects of our community”. Virginia Young, resident at The Cliffs

Selecting a new home requires careful study, as some of today’s assisted living facilities still function in the physical mode, managing infirmity and providing similar care for their Alzheimer’s clients. The very best of assisted living organizations have a personality that turns their home into a community. Through their staffs they expand each resident’s living environment beyond an apartment, allowing the individual resident to create their own place, their own feeling of warm and comfort.

As we age the decision to move into a new home is never an easy one. That’s true for the individual and for the family. Yet, America’s longer life spans continue to force that decision on each of us. When you begin planning for that decision, whether for yourself or a loved one, there are the traditional considerations like rooms, food, price, etc... But here are a number of somewhat less obvious factors to watch for

Stability – Look for a place that has longevity, a business or operation dedicated to the field of assisted living. During the 1990s nearly 20 companies tried to make assisted living their business. Many went bankrupt while others sold out. It was those business decisions that forced resident relocations.
Staff – People make the difference. Assisted living facilities come in all types, settings and prices. It is not the trappings and amenities that determine the quality of care. Make certain to meet the staff, watch them interact with the people who elected to live there. Respecting, attentive, positive caregivers should be the norm.
Purpose – Managements of these homes have different objectives. Make certain to compare non-profit and for-profit organizations. Understand that the mission of one is affected by quarterly earnings reports and while the other is governed by their mission statement
Personalization – Ask if you or your loved one make this place home, or will you be restricted by imposed corporate guidelines? Large chains are very large. Sunrise, for example, manages 43,000 senior residents. Most independent assisted living homes have between 50 and 175 residents to care for.

One of the newest and finest examples of a home embodying all these characteristics is right nearby in West Orange. Using their 110-year experience in elder care and assisted living The Baptist Home Society opened a $12 million, 75-resident facility called The Cliffs at Eagle Rock.

As you begin to look for a new home comparisons are made easy. Nearby The Cliffs you will find some of the larger chain facilities, including Brighton Gardens and another format in hospital affiliated assisted living at Clara Maas. As you search keep in mind… Make your new home a place that nourishes living your life… not a house to live out your life.