Whitney Center News | Senior Living in Hamden, CT
April 13, 2018
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Making Waves to End Ocean Pollution: Whitney Center’s Seamus the Seal & Conservation Advocates

By | Blog

For Whitney Center residents, no project is beyond reach. Take Seamus the Seal for example – Whitney Center’s life-sized sculpture made of recyclable waste. Seamus the Seal is a Whitney Center passion project inspired by the conservation efforts of the late Robert Lane, a former Whitney Center resident who was a Professor Emeritus at Yale University and Founder of Gray for Green, a national online gathering of older Americans aspiring to create a green legacy for the future.

At Whitney Center, a Life Care community located in Hamden, CT, residents are free to pursue their passions and dive deep into their field of work or interests. Robert Lane and those who knew him understood the meaningful work that turns passion into legacy.

Seamus the Seal was brought to life by Save Our Seas (S.O.S.), a group of dedicated Whitney Center employees, members of the resident-led Conservation Nature Committee and the Whitney Center Chapter of Gray for Green. Motivated by Dr. Lane’s efforts to spread the word about ocean pollution, Save Our Seas’ mission is to educate people on the effects of ocean pollution and to spark positive change in consumer habits by promoting recycling.

Stephanie Zilinski, Whitney Center’s Life Enrichment Coordinator, led the group and the project. “Seamus is a shocking transition of art that shifts into a symbol of our society’s waste consumption right before your eyes,” says Zilinski. “He is a beautiful reminder of Dr. Lane’s passion, and we hope he will inspire that passion in others.”

Seamus is the result of many months of planning, recyclable waste collection and a commitment to ensuring Dr. Lane’s legacy continued. S.O.S.’s initial plan was to have Seamus on display for the community’s Earth Day Celebration. However, The Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration heard about the project and wanted to give Seamus a bigger platform.

“We were excited about the prospect of the 100 or so expected visitors to be able to see Seamus at Whitney Center,” says Zilinski. “When the Mystic Aquarium called about displaying him at their Earth Day celebration, we were so excited because that means 10 times the visitors! We think Dr. Lane would be very pleased.”

Seamus fits perfectly into the message for this year’s conservation focus. Globally observed on April 22 this year, Earth Day’s theme for 2018 is End Plastic Pollution. Seamus will be on display at The Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration during its “Party for the Planet” Earth Day Celebration event on April 19, 2018 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Mystic Aquarium is located at 55 Coogan Boulevard in Mystic, CT, and the public is welcome to attend.

After Seamus’ stint at the Mystic Aquarium, he will be on display at Whitney Center in honor of Dr. Lane. The community hopes that Seamus will be a testament to the passion of its residents and the meaningful achievements they can accomplish together.

Call Whitney Center today to learn more about Seamus and other ways our residents live life to the fullest.

Discover Excellence in Senior Living.

At Whitney Center, you’ll find a distinguished senior living community where residents do what they love. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, Whitney Center combines all the cultural, educational and historical charms of the Greater New Haven area with the intricate details of daily life for active seniors. Whitney Center is a Life Care community, offering not just an unparalleled independent living lifestyle, but a full continuum of care services as well, including assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and memory care. Whitney Center even offers a home-based long-term care program, Thrive at Home, which connects seniors to the services they need to live well in their own home.

Choice. Freedom. Opportunity.

We believe that remaining engaged and striving for excellence builds a more meaningful life. That’s why residents experience a host of services and amenities, events and cultural opportunities and wellness programs designed to foster endless growth and personalized living. Backed by our first-rate hospitality and philosophy of continuous improvement, our residents are free to travel, learn, volunteer, set new goals and create the life they want to live.

Come Here to Thrive.

At Whitney Center, residents live in the midst of cultural arts and education and dignified connections to the greater community. Seniors thrive in pursuit of what brings them joy, with unlimited opportunities to create and contribute. And, with the confidence in quality care services available on site if health needs ever change, Whitney Center makes it possible for seniors to continue enjoying the freedom to embrace life at its fullest.

Contact Whitney Center today to learn more about our Life Care community!

March 22, 2018
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Choosing CARF-accredited

The Importance of Choosing a CARF-Accredited Senior Living Community

By | Blog

If you or a loved one is searching for a senior living community, you understand how overwhelming it can be to choose the best place to spend your retirement years. How do you know whether a community will hold up the promises it makes to potential residents? How will you begin to narrow down your choices?

We believe that accreditation makes a big difference. Michael Rambarose, President and CEO of Whitney Center, a Life Care community in Hamden, CT, states, “Communities that are accredited by outside organizations offer their residents and families a higher level of accountability and transparency. For example, Whitney Center’s CARF accreditation proves to our residents that we meet the highest standards in human services and are committed to continually improving ourselves to best meet our residents’ needs.”

Whitney Center’s accreditation from CARF is voluntary, adding even more assurances beyond state requirements to give our residents greater confidence in our programs, services and, ultimately, in their investment in their future.

What Is CARF Accreditation?

CARF stands for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. It is an international, non-profit organization that helps companies within the human services sphere reach and maintain standards of excellence. CARF is the only accreditor of Life Plan communities (formerly known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities). Among other health and human services, CARF surveys senior living communities to see if they meet internationally agreed-upon standards for quality of care, financial stability and value for residents.

Senior living communities that meet these standards receive CARF accreditation, which must be renewed periodically for updated status. This ensures that communities not only meet the standards at the time of their survey but that they continue to improve their services and business operations to ensure future accreditation.

Whitney Center holds the ASPIRE to Excellence® CARF accreditation. To achieve this status, our community has gone through extensive surveys and assessments of every aspect of our organization, including:

A – Assessment of the environment

S – Setting a strategy for the community

P – Persons served (our residents and families) providing input

I – Implementing our plan to reach our purpose

R – Review of our results

E – Effecting change through continuous monitoring and improvement

How Seniors Benefit

There are dozens of factors involved in choosing the right senior living community. From the community atmosphere and culture to the types of care services offered, plenty goes into your decision on choosing a place to call home. You’ll find that your deciding factors will be the aspects of the lifestyle the community offers that provide the greatest benefits to you personally. CARF accreditation offers several benefits to the seniors who reside in those communities. We believe the greatest are:

  • Person-First Approach – CARF’s philosophy on standards of excellence is built on the idea of person-centered success. If a senior living community’s first priority is the people they serve, then everything else—their operational structure, their financial stability, their outreach endeavors—will fall into place. By achieving accreditation, communities show that they share the same person-first approach to service. CARF accreditation is a seal of achievement in emphasizing an individual approach to care and lifestyle services.
  • Peace of Mind – Because of the high standards communities must reach to become CARF-accredited, residents and their families can be confident in the quality of accommodations, services and support they will experience at the community. Residents can be sure that their community has met high standards in its services, care and amenities, as well as in its financial stability and plans for future growth. For a Life Plan community like Whitney Center, it’s imperative that our residents are confident in the decision they make to spend their retirement years with us. CARF accreditation helps us communicate our dedication to our promises and our residents’ investments.
  • Continual Improvement – CARF accreditation provides senior living communities with exclusive resources to help them maintain standards of excellence. CARF offers consultations, publications, conferences and training opportunities for community leadership and employees. Accreditation also provides a link to a network of other leading communities and services providers in the senior living industry. These resources, in addition to the commitment to maintaining accreditation standards, promote continuous improvement of communities’ business practices and services.

Twenty Years and Counting

Whitney Center first achieved CARF accreditation in 1998 and has maintained its status every year since. This year marks the 20th year that Whitney Center has reaffirmed its commitment to standards of excellence.

“We continue to renew our CARF accreditation each year as a demonstration of our intentions,” says Rambarose. “As a community, we intend to continue improving our services with today’s and tomorrow’s seniors in mind. We believe that holding ourselves accountable to the promises we make as a Life Plan community honors the seniors with whom we hope to serve. Our residents made a choice, and we’re humbled that they chose Whitney Center. It’s our honor to ensure them that their choice was the right one.”

If you would like to know more about Whitney Center or CARF, please contact the community today.

Discover Excellence in Senior Living.

At Whitney Center, you’ll find a distinguished senior living community where residents do what they love. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, Whitney Center combines all the cultural, educational and historical charms of the Greater New Haven area with the intricate details of daily life for active seniors. Whitney Center is a Life Care community, offering not just an unparalleled independent living lifestyle, but a full continuum of care services as well, including assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and memory care. Whitney Center even offers a home-based long-term care program, Thrive at Home, which connects seniors to the services they need to live well in their own home.

Choice. Freedom. Opportunity.

We believe that remaining engaged and striving for excellence builds a more meaningful life. That’s why residents experience a host of services and amenities, events and cultural opportunities and wellness programs designed to foster endless growth and personalized living. Backed by our first-rate hospitality and philosophy of continuous improvement, our residents are free to travel, learn, volunteer, set new goals and create the life they want to live.

Come Here to Thrive.

At Whitney Center, residents live in the midst of cultural arts and education and dignified connections to the greater community. Seniors thrive in pursuit of what brings them joy, with unlimited opportunities to create and contribute. And, with the confidence in quality care services available on site if health needs ever change, Whitney Center makes it possible for seniors to continue enjoying the freedom to embrace life at its fullest.

Contact Whitney Center today to learn more about our Life Care community!

March 7, 2018
0
Preparing for a Life Care Community

Preparing for Your Move to a Life Care Community

By | Blog

Changing residences and moving to a new place can be stressful. For many seniors, the thought of moving can be overwhelming enough to keep them from even considering the benefits of a senior living community lifestyle. However, there are plenty of ways to prepare for a major move ahead of time. By considering both the logistics of the move and the emotional challenges you might encounter, you or your loved one can be ready to make the move to a senior living community when the time comes.

Michael Rambarose, President and CEO of Whitney Center, a Life Care community in Hamden, CT, has great advice when it comes to helping seniors move to community living. “The first step in preparing for the move is to be aware of yourself,” says Rambarose. “Moving can be a sentimental, nostalgic event. It’s important to face the emotions your move causes and address them in healthy ways. Then, your mind can be clear to focus on details of the move and, more importantly, the advantages you’re about to discover in your new lifestyle.”

Tips to Prepare for Your Move

Moving to a Life Care community like Whitney Center doesn’t have to be a burden. Of course, packing and transporting belongings may be time-consuming, but there are resources to help you ease these hassles. The best thing you can do (or do for your parent or loved one) is to plan ahead. Consider the greatest stressors you have about your move, and work with your community and people you trust to find solutions.

Consider the following tips to help make your move as smooth as possible:

  • Enjoy Downsizing – If you’ve been living in a large family home, it’s likely to be much larger than your home at a community. For some, living in a more manageable space is the main reason why they choose a community lifestyle. Take your move as an opportunity to remove the clutter from your life. At the same time, you can make some extra money by selling furniture, or donate lesser-valued items to a charity you admire. Consider downsizing your belongings to be an opportunity to release some of the material weight that’s been holding you down. You might also view this as a time to let go of some worries and fears that have been holding you back from the lifestyle you deserve.
  • Pack Your Essentials – Consider what you will need to furnish your new home ahead of your move. Some communities offer furnished apartments, while others encourage residents to bring their own furniture. Knowing what your new home offers will help you streamline your packing process. Also consider the items that you know will matter greatly to your comfort and sense of belonging. A favorite painting, throw pillows, or other decorations can help you feel at home in your new surroundings. While you may not need to bring your favorite armchair, having it by the window in your new apartment can offer great comfort and normalcy. Consider what is essential to you, and pack your belongings accordingly.
  • Start Moving Early – If you can, moving your belongings to your new community gradually can help you eliminate some of the stress of moving day. Ask your community when your apartment will be available, and see if you can transport the bulk of your items prior to moving in. As you move items and unpack boxes, you might realize items you forgot or have ideas for something else you may need in your new home. A gradual move will help you prepare to feel at home from the day you finally make the move.
  • Take Care of Details – Changing your address can be one of the most tedious (and often forgotten!) tasks involved with moving. Soon before your move-in date, arrange to change your address with the post office, as well as with any credit card companies, banks, lawyers, doctor’s offices and newspapers or magazines you subscribe to. Doing this ahead of time will make sure that you don’t miss any important information sent by mail in the interim of your move.
  • Get Involved – If you’re nervous about meeting new people or wondering where you’ll fit in at your community, don’t wait until to you move there to find out! You can attend special events and activities that your community hosts before you move in. Plan to participate in activities that interest you, attend social gatherings, and take as many opportunities as you wish to meet your new neighbors and learn about the social atmosphere of your community.
  • Connect Early On – As you visit your new community, try to find a member of the staff or executive team with whom you can connect regularly. Knowing someone who’s dedicated to ensuring resident satisfaction can help by giving you a resource for information and advice. Find someone you’re comfortable speaking with, either a community relationships staff member or the community’s executive director, who will be available to answer your questions both before and after your move. Building this relationship will also help you feel at home in a new community.

Ready to Welcome You Home

“At Whitney Center, we strive to create a place where seniors are excited to begin living a more engaging lifestyle,” says Rambarose. “For us, this process begins well before a resident moves in. Part of the joy for those working in senior living is to join our residents’ journeys and walk beside them to ensure every detail is in place to give them the lifestyle they deserve.

“A Life Care community such as Whitney Center also makes it easy to have confidence in the place residents call home. They know they’re moving to a place that will care for them for life. No matter what the future holds, our residents enjoy daily peace of mind knowing that we’ll take care of all of their needs.”

If you would like more guidance on preparing for your move to a Life Care community, reach out to the team at Whitney Center to learn more.

Discover Excellence in Senior Living.

At Whitney Center, you’ll find a distinguished senior living community where residents do what they love. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, Whitney Center combines all the cultural, educational and historical charms of the Greater New Haven area with the intricate details of daily life for active seniors. Whitney Center is a Life Care community, offering not just an unparalleled independent living lifestyle, but a full continuum of care services as well, including assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and memory care. Whitney Center even offers a home-based long-term care program, Thrive at Home, which connects seniors to the services they need to live well in their own home.

Choice. Freedom. Opportunity.

We believe that remaining engaged and striving for excellence builds a more meaningful life. That’s why residents experience a host of services and amenities, events and cultural opportunities and wellness programs designed to foster endless growth and personalized living. Backed by our first-rate hospitality and philosophy of continuous improvement, our residents are free to travel, learn, volunteer, set new goals and create the life they want to live.

Come Here to Thrive.

At Whitney Center, residents live in the midst of cultural arts and education and dignified connections to the greater community. Seniors thrive in pursuit of what brings them joy, with unlimited opportunities to create and contribute. And, with the confidence in quality care services available on site if health needs ever change, Whitney Center makes it possible for seniors to continue enjoying the freedom to embrace life at its fullest.

Contact Whitney Center today to learn more about our Life Care community!

February 22, 2018
0
Retirement Begins at Whitney Center

Why the Next Chapter in Your Retirement Begins at Whitney Center

By | Blog

Wherever you are in your retirement story, there’s something alluring about the thought of the next chapter. What lies ahead? Can life possibly get better? At Whitney Center, a Life Care Community in Hamden, Connecticut, we believe it can.

“Whitney Center surpasses the typical assumptions about senior living and retirement,” says Michael Rambarose, President and CEO of the community. “Our perspective on aging is different from the status quo. For us, age doesn’t limit what we’re passionate about and capable of achieving. In fact, we see retirement as the perfect opportunity to dive into lifelong endeavors and reach new goals. A community like Whitney Center makes these pursuits all the more possible by taking care of details that often drain us of time and energy, freeing you to explore the landscape of your retirement life.”

If you’re at the point of considering a move to senior living, you may be wary of what happens next or worried you might not find the right place to call home. When seniors choose Whitney Center, these concerns quickly fade away. Just see for yourself!

Imagine Your Story at Whitney Center

Let’s imagine what would happen if you made the move to Whitney Center. Because we are a Life Care community, you’ll be investing in your future well-being. Not only would your current accommodations, dining, maintenance services and entertainment be available to you, but so would all the services you might need in the future. If you ever develop a health condition or suffer an injury that puts you in need of support, care services are available. Also, if your spouse or partner develops the need for Assisted Living or Memory Care, you can both receive the services you need in one place.

When your worries of uncertainty about the future are gone, you’re free to enjoy the present – and we make it easy to enjoy day after day doing what you love. We believe that a meaningful life comes from remaining engaged and striving for excellence, however you define it. That’s why we’ve created a space where active, intellectual, creative and curious seniors can cultivate a lifestyle that suits their unique endeavors for retirement.

Whitney Center and those who live here thrive on a connection to cultural pursuits and community partnerships. Our location taps into all the opportunities New Haven has to offer. From art exhibits to opera, volunteer services to continuing education, you have countless possibilities to be uniquely you. At the same time, you get to enjoy the camaraderie and companionship of like-minded individuals who share similar perspectives on a meaningful retirement.

Every day, you’ll experience how we’ve integrated distinguished services into daily living not just to offer you convenience but to give you the freedom to pursue what matters most to you. We take care of the housekeeping, maintenance and cooking, with a variety of dining venues to choose from. You can come and go as you please with confidence, knowing that we’re hard at work to ensure 24-hour campus security. Additionally, we’ve enhanced our community with practical and convenient services to make life simpler, such as scheduled transportation, on-site banking, an on-site wellness clinic and even in-house dental services. Your home at Whitney Center includes a fitness center, art studio, indoor swimming pool and full-service salon and spa. And believe us – this list only scratches the surface.

More than convenience and amenities, what makes Whitney Center rise above the rest is its ability to inspire. In everything, our community emphasizes an inclination to rich opportunities for meaningful, purposeful living. Our residents are teachers, artists, entrepreneurs, leaders, dreamers and doers. They haven’t stopped doing what makes them feel alive – and at Whitney Center, neither will you.

A Place to Call Home

When it comes to deciding on the next step for your retirement, you shouldn’t make your choice lightly. Not only will you be investing in your future home and health, but you’ll be investing in the quality of life you want for yourself. The community you choose should reflect your values, passions and dreams. It should welcome your ingenuity and fervor for life and encourage you in all your aspirations. If the place where you live can’t accommodate your spirit, you haven’t found your true home.

“With the rise of senior living as it exists today, you have options,” says Rambarose. “High-quality communities can offer a similar array of services and accommodations, but it’s important that you take a community’s atmosphere into account. When you make your move, you don’t just want to know you’ll be taken care of – you want to discover a place where you truly belong.”

Dozens of seniors have already begun their next chapter at Whitney Center. If you see your story continuing with ours, contact us today to take the next step.

Discover Excellence in Senior Living.

At Whitney Center, you’ll find a distinguished senior living community where residents do what they love. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, Whitney Center combines all the cultural, educational and historical charms of the Greater New Haven area with the intricate details of daily life for active seniors. Whitney Center is a Life Care community, offering not just an unparalleled Independent Living lifestyle, but a full continuum of care services as well, including Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Care and Memory Care. Whitney Center even offers a home-based long-term care program, Thrive at Home, which connects seniors to the services they need to live well in their own home.

Choice. Freedom. Opportunity.

We believe that remaining engaged and striving for excellence builds a more meaningful life. That’s why residents experience a host of services and amenities, events and cultural opportunities and wellness programs designed to foster endless growth and personalized living. Backed by our first-rate hospitality and philosophy of continuous improvement, our residents are free to travel, learn, volunteer, set new goals and create the life they want to live.

Come Here to Thrive.

At Whitney Center, residents live in the midst of cultural arts and education and dignified connections to the greater community. Seniors thrive in pursuit of what brings them joy, with unlimited opportunities to create and contribute. And, with the confidence in quality care services available on site if health needs ever change, Whitney Center makes it possible for seniors to continue enjoying the freedom to embrace life at its fullest.

Contact Whitney Center today to learn more about our Life Care community!

February 9, 2018
2
Approach to Excellence

Whitney Center’s Approach to Excellence in Senior Living

By | Blog

At Whitney Center, seniors and their families discover that excellence is more than a standard – it’s a way of life. The elegantly designed Life Care community in Hamden, Connecticut, offers residents a lifestyle as unprecedented as their own unique stories, complete with an environment that honors sophisticated desires for abundant senior living.

Just ask Michael Rambarose, President and CEO at Whitney Center. Having served two terms in the US Navy and over 13 years in the senior health care industry, Mr. Rambarose is uniquely equipped to lead the community and continue its legacy of excellence.
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