By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury Crossings is a licensed assisted living community for people who no longer want to or are able to remain in their own homes. Shrewsbury Crossings also offers a separately licensed memory care residence that cares for people with all types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, when their families need this service.
“We specialize in an environment where people can get a very high level of care and can age in place,” said Peter Donaty, executive director of Shrewsbury Crossings, which is owned by Benchmark Senior Living, a privately-held company with 24 senior living communities in Massachusetts. The Shrewsbury community was opened in 1997.
“A lot of people are reluctant to consider all that assisted living can offer,” he noted, “but after they'se been here for 90 days, about 90 per cent of our residents and their families agree they should have come sooner.”
As for concerns about the cost of a residential facility, Donaty pointed out that “anyone who can afford to remain in their own home with the expenses of maintenance, utilities, taxes and food, can afford assisted living,” where utilities are covered and three meals each day are provided.
Shrewsbury Crossings has the capacity to care for 21 people in The Harbor, its memory care special care residence. In the assisted living part of the facility, there are 42 apartment residences, which can house a couple or a single person.
The dementia-care facility “is a lifesaver for families,” he said. “It usually is full because there continues to be a growing need for memory care.”
Residents with memory care issues live in Shrewsbury Crossings” special care residence that is specifically designed to provide a warm, homelike atmosphere.? They have access to a secure, enclosed outside courtyard so they can go outdoors with no risk of wandering off.
The special care residence has its own dining room, activities and even its own hairdresser. It has a specially-trained staff, and only nurses are allowed to give patients medications.
The assisted living section of Shrewsbury Crossings offers entertainment, activities and daily exercise programs for residents, weekly housekeeping, and serves three meals daily in its own dining room. Staff members are available 24 hours a day. There is a bus to take residents shopping and to theaters, museums and other nearby attractions such as the Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
The facility is even pet-friendly. Residents may bring their cats or small dogs to live with them.
To help residents remain in their apartments as they get older, Shrewsbury Crossings can arrange for physical, occupational and speech therapy and provides mental health counseling. “We have very close relationships with the providers of those services,” Donaty said.
“We can also provide hospice care for our residents, allowing them to access these services without having to leave the surroundings they feel comfortable in.”
Shrewsbury Crossings is located at 311 Main St. in Shrewsbury. It serves Westborough, Northborough and Worcester as well as Shrewsbury. More information on the facility is available on the website, www.shrewsburycrossings.com, or by calling 508-845-2100.
Editor's Note: The preceding is not an endorsement and is presented for informational purposes only.?
