New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Woman plans second senior living ‘unique boutique’ in Shelton
SHELTON — Deirdre Virvo's vision of a personalized option for those people in need of assisted living and memory care came to life two years ago — and its success has her expanding her operation.
Virvo opened Just Like Home's Dogwood Home — what she terms a “unique boutique” senior living home at 62 Dogwood Lane — in 2020. The home has been filled ever since, with a waiting list, which prompted her to buy another home on Long Hill Avenue.
“With the interest in the first home, I really felt I needed to expand,” said Virvo, a longtime real estate investor, senior specialist and author of “Home to Home, The Step by Step Senior Housing Guide.”
“I really help more seniors,” she added. “My goal is to have five of these homes in Shelton.”
Virvo, founder and managing member of CT Property Network and SoCT Real Estate Investor Association, said Shelton is ideal because zoning regulations allow for six people in a home, more than other Fairfield County communities which allow only three or four.
Renovations are underway at the home at 757 Long Hill Ave., which with an anticipated opening in November 2022.
Virvo said renovations will create eight bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. A large addition will be built on the rear for den space.
Everything will happen on one floor, according to Virvo, just like the present home on Dogwood Lane.
Just Like Home's Dogwood Home is a 3,300-square-foot ranch-style custom designed home which houses six seniors who require assisted living or memory care. The home has a staff of two around-the-clock caregivers.
Residents are provided with homemade meals and activities such as pianists, guitarists, chair yoga and strength training.
For information, visit justlikehomellc.com/