Many senior living facilities are run by large regional and national corporations. Those that are locally owned are usually very small, housing maybe half a dozen residents. Courtyard  Gardens in Jupiter, FL is an exception and it is this week’s Friday’s Featured Facility on the Florida Senior Living Advisor blog. Courtyard Gardens is an assisted living facility with just more than 100 residents. It opened 10 years ago and is owned by a local resident, Dr. George Peck, and his daughter.

Courtyard Gardens Marketing Director Donna Phillips started working at the facility after her mother moved in nine years ago. She told me she was raving about the care her mother was receiving to anyone who would listen, and that’s when management approached her about becoming the marketing director. “I know what people are going through because  I’ve been there,” she said. When asked what sets Courtyard Gardens apart, Phillips says it is the facility’s caring and qualified staff.

“We have 85 staff for 111 residents. And we put money into their continuing education,” she explained. “Everyone has Alzheimer’s training, even the front desk receptionist. And everyone has first aid training.” Phillips says every employees understands that the residents come first, and their safety and happiness are the top priorities.

Phillips says another reason they are always at 100% occupancy is the great food. “Our chef is from the Ritz-Carlton. Everything is made from scratch, and we always have fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said. Rates at Courtyard Gardens range  from $3135 for a studio to $4140 for a one-bedroom apartment. In addition, there are “levels of care” that can be added on if a resident needs help showering, taking medication, etc. These levels add about $400 to the monthly fee. In the Alzheimer’s unit, costs range from $3700 for a shared unit to $4500 for a single.

To learn more about Courtyard Gardens, visit the facility’s website at www.courtyardgardens.com.

For this week’s Friday’s Featured Facility- a community that may represent a trend in senior living. Oak Hammock at the University of Florida in Gainesville is the only university-based retirement community in Florida and one of only a handful across the country. But these types of senior living facilities are attracting attention and popularity among boomers who appreciate the vibrant educational, cultural and social offerings that a university setting can offer.

Oak Hammock’s 136-acre facility is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), meaning it offers a range of options – everything from independent living to assisted living to memory care and skilled nursing. For a one-time entrance fee, ranging from  $147,500-over $500,000 – Oak Hammock residents are guaranteed long-term care at a significantly reduced rate. There are also monthly fees ranging from $1800-5000 to cover everything from utilities to social activities and some meals.
What makes Oak Hammock unique is its integration with the University of Florida. Star Bradbury, Director of Life Planning at Oak Hammock, told me that the community would not exist without the University. Oak Hammock’s board is appointment by UF’s president, and the school’s deans and staff provide input for the community’s activities. Among the benefits listed on Oak Hammock’s website are:

• Because our 22,000-sq.-ft. Fitness Center is affiliated with UF’s College of Health and Human Performance, attention has been paid to the smallest detail – from installing the right equipment to calibrating the ideal temperature for the swimming pools. 
• The College of Dentistry staffs an on-site, full-service dental hygienist suite.
• The College of Veterinary Medicine operates a Veterinary Clinic at Oak Hammock, providing routine wellness care. Pet sitting is also offered.
• The College of Fine Arts provides performance venues and schedules on-site recitals.
• The College of Medicine provides a Mini-Medical School series.
• The College of Pharmacy provides weekly consulting services with members
• Liberal Arts and Sciences presents educational programs in a wide range of disciplines.
• Oak Hammock members serve as mentors, lecturers and volunteers in the University’s many academic programs. 
• Because Oak Hammock is directly affiliated with the University of Florida, members have campus privileges similar to those of University faculty – with access to sports, performing arts events, library and research facilities, and more.

Oak Hammock is home to approximately 400 people. Most live in independent living apartments or freestanding homes. The facility also has a capacity for 42 people in its assisted living unit, 42 in skilled nursing and 24 in memory care. Oak Hammock currently has a waiting list, but if you are interested, you can secure a spot on that list for a fully-refundable $1500 deposit.

To learn more about Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, visit www.oakhammock.org.