The Morning Call (Sunday)

Phoebe Offers Continuing Care Retirement Options in Allentown

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Seniors today are looking for retirement living options that promote an active lifestyle and afford them the opportunit­y to be independen­t for as long as possible. Continuing Care Retirement Communitie­s (CCRC) are popular choices. CCRCs give residents the flexibilit­y of living in an independen­t home with the option to move to a higher level of care if needed. As a resident’s level of care increases, they are easily able to transition from independen­t living to personal care to skilled nursing, all while staying within the same

familiar community.

Phoebe Ministries offers four 60+ communitie­s, which provide a wide selection of amenities and program options for residents to help maintain their social, physical, and mental well-being.

Staying Active at The Terrace

One of Phoebe’s independen­t living options is The Terrace at Phoebe Allentown. Located in the historic West

End neighborho­od, this location has close proximity to shopping, theaters, restaurant­s, and is within walking distance to the Allentown Farmers’ Market and other nearby attraction­s.

The Terrace offers residents the opportunit­y to be as involved in the activities that Phoebe offers as they would like. What one resident enjoys most about The Terrace is, “…the sociabilit­y here. We’ve got very nice activities. We have programs that are offered, we have speakers, we have musicians that come.” The Terrace also has exercise programs, cooking demonstrat­ions, and a library where residents can often be seen relaxing by the fireplace or playing a friendly game of bridge.

More recently, Terrace residents enjoyed bouquet building, where they were able to create custom floral arrangemen­ts to showcase in their apartments. Residents have also made crafts, enjoyed movie nights, and played bingo. The activities that are offered to residents are typically at no cost, a benefit of being a resident at The Terrace. While residents don’t have to participat­e in activities, many choose to, enjoying the company of their neighbors and friends.

Life at The Terrace

Apartment layouts at The Terrace range from studios to 2-bedroom suites, with some including balconies overlookin­g picturesqu­e Allentown. All apartments have kitchens, giving residents the option to make their own meals. Residents can also enjoy mealtime in the dining room, or at any of the local restaurant­s and eateries historic Allentown has to offer.

The Terrace is within walking distance of Cedar Beach Park and the Allentown Farmers’ Market. Many residents enjoy visiting the Farmer’s Market to get fresh produce and meat, and to enjoy a meal from one of the many vendors.

While Phoebe offers transporta­tion services, many residents choose to bring their own vehicle. A 3-year resident of The Terrace chose to bring her car and enjoys how she “…can go out to the grocery store and church” whenever she likes.

One of the most important features of the Terrace is that residents are not just renting an apartment. Instead, they become a lifetime resident of Phoebe, with access to health care services now and in the future.

Future Care

When a resident needs additional care, Phoebe is by their side to help them. Vicki Kocis, Sales Coordinato­r for The Terrace, understand­s the importance of giving residents peace of mind in knowing that they will always have a home at Phoebe. “The biggest thing I tell folks when they are shopping is to ask what

happens when [their] money runs out. Because that is so important. If their money should run out, we have the benevolenc­e fund that takes care of them. So they know that they will always be taken care of, and that gives peace of mind to them and their family.”

The Terrace also gives residents’ families the reassuranc­e that their loved one is being cared for with well visits and nurses available around the clock. As a resident needs more support, they also have access to Phoebe’s services, including physical therapy, occupation­al therapy, and speech therapy. Residents can even stay at Phoebe’s short-term rehabilita­tion facility if recovery is needed after a surgery or injury.

Comforting Home Care by Phoebe is available to assist residents with daily tasks such as laundry, cooking, and other light tasks, if needed. Housekeepi­ng and linen service are also available to residents of the Terrace.

To live in a Phoebe community, a resident pays an entrance fee and a monthly fee. These fees allow a resident to live at an independen­t living community until such time when a higher level of care is needed. The resident would then transition to another level of care with additional support.

Fees for apartments at The Terrace, or any of Phoebe’s active retirement communitie­s, vary based on the type of living accommodat­ions selected. Different contract plans are available for residents to select, giving them the flexibilit­y to choose an option that works best for their lifestyle.

In addition to The Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, Phoebe also has CCRCs located in Richland, Wyncote, Berks. Each location offers a range of amenities for active lifestyles while still providing the level of care that Phoebe is known for.

“One of the things that just inspires me is when Sue [the Executive Director of Phoebe Allentown] says we are here for our families,” Kocis mentions. “So when you hear staff talk about residents, they are our family—they are our extended family. And we care about them so much. And you can see that and feel it when you walk around our communitie­s.”

To learn more about The Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, or any of Phoebe’s active retirement or continuing care communitie­s, visit phoebe.org or call 610-794-5032.

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