Maplewood Senior Living debuts Southport facility

Maplewood Senior Living president and CEO Greg Smith said it’s been a long time coming for his company’s new facility in Fairfield. But after a sevenyear process, he believes the finished product was worth the wait.

“This is probably one of our best projects that we have in our portfolio, and we’ve stuck to it for so long that it just feels so good to finally be able to walk through the building because this was a vision and a dream of ours, and now it’s an absolute reality,” he said.

The Westportbased company is welcoming residents to their new home at the threestory, 93,000squarefoot community at 17 Mill Hill Terrace.

The new assistedliving community is Maplewood’s seventh Connecticutbased location, joining Danbury, Bethel, Darien, East Norwalk, Newtown and Orange. The company also has a presence in Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.

The 98unit facility offers assisted living and memory care services to residents and touts an array of amenities, including several lounges, a bar, bistro and dining areas.

The Westportbased company has also followed a growing trend, integrating technology to improve residents’ quality of life.

“It’s absolutely how we are helping to promote independence in our residents,” Shane Herlet, chief operating officer for Maplewood Senior Living. “It’s going to be a very independent operation in addition to the memory care component that we have.”

Among Maplewood’s tech amenities are “smart apartments” that allow residents to control appliances, including lights, temperature and the television. They can also let people communicate with staff and family while providing information on dining menus and scheduled events upon command.

Virtual reality systems, provided by Rendever, can also be used for recreational tours as well as therapy for residents with dementia.

Contrary to perceptions, residents have been curious and willing to embed technology into their daily lives, according to Herlet.

“They get a kick out of the technology, and beyond the novelty of it, it becomes absolutely beneficial for their daily use,” he said.

Maplewood is one of several communities in Fairfield poised to meet growing demand for additional senior housing options. Benchmark Senior Living opened its newest community, Sturges Ridge, earlier this year and brought 68 apartments to Mill Plain Road.

Both facilities will be joined by Sunrise Senior Living’s new facility on Stratfield Road that is expected to bring 83 units in the fall.

Maplewood Southport has already seen plenty leasing activity since its debut, according to Smith. Thus far, the new facility is expected to move roughly 30 residents into their units by the end of July.

Smith said that the facility is expect to hit capacity by the start of next year based on leasing activity.

Westport resident Rory O’Neill is hoping her parents will be among the new residents in coming months. She and her parents have been waiting for the new senior living facility to open for roughly a year.

“It’s like the RitzCarlton. … I’d want to move in here,” O’Neill said.

Contributed photo Maplewood Southport is now open and leasing.