Newest Residence for Seniors Transforms Models for Alzheimer's Care and Independent Living
AgeSong, a family-run group of assisted-living senior communities with a holistic approach to care, is opening Bayside Park in Emeryville, marking the occasion with a grand opening celebration on Wed., Jan. 27, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. The five-story 116,366 square-foot residential complex offers independent and assisted-living apartments for senior adults in a vibrant and healing environment that reflects AgeSong's holistic approach to care.
"Our goal in developing this unique living environment is to transform attitudes toward aging and focus not only on the physical needs of elders, but on their emotional and spiritual needs as well," said Nader Shabahangi, PhD, CEO of AgeSong. "By integrating elders in the community, offering them therapeutic expressive arts activities and providing care in an environment that helps residents feel safe, Bayside Park offers a unique model of care that allows elders to enjoy a vibrant life."
Located at 1440 40th Street in Emeryville, Bayside Park features 125 studio and one-bedroom apartments within walking distance of Emeryville's vibrant retail and entertainment district and with easy access to public transportation. In addition to the independent living program, AgeSong at Bayside Park offers five levels of care and specialized programs that include expressive arts, hospice care, assisted living and medication management support, forgetfulness (Alzheimer's/Dementia) care, gero-wellness, respite care and hospice support.
Bayside Park is AgeSong's fifth community for elders in the Bay Area. It was designed by Kava Massih Architects, Berkeley, Calif., and built by James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corp., Danville, Calif. "AgeSong's nationally recognized approach to building design and programming is reflected throughout the building and redefines the concept of "eldership" with architecture and landscaping that affirm the residents' dignity and wisdom," said Massih.
Among Bayside Park's distinctive features are these:
Healing and Inspiring:
- The building's design was inspired by and incorporates the philosophy of the 19th century Bavarian priest Sebastian Kneipp who believed in the five pillars of wellness: water, plants, nutrition, exercise and balance. This philosophy is reflected throughout the building in its wellness pool, a green-planted rooftop and lushly planted courtyard with raised planters for gardening, exercise and balance and strength training facilities, meditation rooms, gourmet dining facilities, and arts and leisure activity spaces
Beautiful and Vibrant:
- Services include weekly housekeeping and laundry, full food service that features local, fresh ingredients, snacks and light fare in the café, scheduled transportation, 24-hour staffing and educational, social, physical, spiritual and community enrichment programs
- Oakland artists created beautiful architectural details for the building. Dorothy Lenehan, Lenehan Architectural Glass, created a large glass canopy for the building's entryway and hanging sculptures in the interior. Sculptor Dennis Luedeman created a steel and wood cantilevered staircase in the building's two-story lobby and outdoor planters of sculpted steel
- A public café at street level links residents with the neighborhood and eliminates the isolation of seniors through community access and functions within the residence
Green and Efficient:
- Heating and cooling systems in the building are energy efficient, and all units have their own heating and air-conditioning controls
- Lighting is low-usage and fluorescent, and windows are double-glazed, with a high R-value and coating that lowers the amount of solar gain in the building. Additionally, the building is prepped for solar usage in the future.
- A "green" roof is planted with native vegetation that filters out particulates from rainwater runoff prior to entering the storm drainage system. A rooftop deck offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay
- All cleaning supplies are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, recycling is part of the waste management program and an employee trip reduction plan has been recognized and approved by the city of Emeryville
Caring and Innovative:
- Specialized programs address residents' emotional, social and physiological needs and include expressive arts therapies, meditation, spiritual care and support groups.
- Interdisciplinary teams of pre and post-doctoral gero-psychology interns, staff, and students from European Universities work closely with residents to develop and implement programs based on each individual's needs. With in-house therapy and counseling, AgeSong supports its residents and families through the challenges that the whole family may be facing as care needs change.
- For people whose spoken language is no longer their primary communication tool, art and music can be great mediums to express their thoughts and feelings. Bayside Park offers a number of expressive arts programs and activities to engage elders in activities that would enrich their experience and allow us to understand their needs better
- In addition to these programs, AgeSong is committed to providing physical activities and wellness programs that support healthy lifestyles. For example, AgeSong uses local fresh produce and meats, consults with experts on mobility programs and includes outings into nature to balance the stimulation of its urban environments
To learn more about AgeSong and Bayside Park, visit:www.agesong.com.
About AgeSong
Founded by Dr. Nader Shabahangi, an author and visionary on aging, AgeSong is a family-run group of assisted-living senior communities with a holistic approach to care. It was founded in 1995. Offering five residential communities in San Francisco, Oakland and Emeryville, living environments focus on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of its residents and provide specialized programming that lovingly supports elders in being who they are. Breaking away from the typical 'treatment' model of senior care, the founders of AgeSong combined their diverse backgrounds in psychology, law, and theology to create uniquely therapeutic environments for their residents. In 2006 AgeSong won The American Society on Aging's award for excellence in the field of aging.
Contacts:
for AgeSong
Victoria Steiner, 510-635-4150
Cell: 415-370-5804
Kim
Kellogg, 510-635-4150
