Generations, August 2003

Vantage House Adds Enhanced Living Units:
One of Only Two Sites in Maryland

By Jacqueline Burrell

Dick Roberts is always thinking ahead. As he turned 78 years old recently, he celebrated by moving to a brand new apartment in his retirement community, Vantage House, Howard County’s only lifecare community. Though similar to the independent living residence he had before, Roberts likes the key distinction of his new apartment -- built-in support.

Called Enhanced Living, this residential option is new in the continuum of care industry, with only two communities offering this new option in the State of Maryland. Vantage House is providing this new choice in response to residents’ preferences and the general desire of older adults who want to "age in place" and remain as independent as possible. The built-in support of Enhanced Living differs from the Assisted Living component also available at Vantage House in that assisted living residences are smaller, without a kitchen, and provide a more intense level of care.

Enhanced Living is designed to keep older adults living independently for as long as they safely can, says Vantage House's marketing director Katie Travers. “This gives residents a greater sense of security, in that they’ll have a plan of care, which is determined by each person’s individual needs,” she adds.

Residents at Vantage House lead active lives, filled with a high quality social life, cultural opportunities, visits to and from relatives and friends, part-time jobs for some and volunteering for others, hobbies and outdoor activities.

Age is not a deterrent to leading a full life, notes Travers, but some support may be required. Enhanced Living offers seniors as-needed help in performing daily living tasks. Such assistance affords maximum independence and the opportunity to continue to lead an active life.

For Roberts, the timing was just right. Diagnosed with a degenerative muscle disease, the strength in his arms and legs is waning. His new two-bedroom apartment is closer to the elevator, a plus for getting down to the dining room. Two meals a day in the Chesapeake Dining Room or Café are also included in the Enhanced Living program. Though slightly smaller than his previous independent living apartment, he likes that his new home has a walk-in shower in which he can sit down.      

"I like to arrange things as best I can," says Roberts, a 30-year Columbia resident and former math professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “I am actively involved in tutoring residents in the computer room, as well as writing articles as an editor of the Vantage Views, the resident newsletter.”

After the passing of his wife and a slow recovery from heart surgery, Roberts decided that staying in his single-family house was no longer an option.

He chose Vantage House for three reasons: its proximity to his son; the fact that it was just a few blocks from where he'd been living; and its lifecare components, which now include independent residential apartments, enhanced living, assisted living and a skilled nursing center, all on site and included in the monthly fee. Roberts was impressed with the idea of not having family or friends travel great distances if he ever needed their support.

Like a neighborhood unto itself, Vantage House also includes a café, library, indoors “Wintergarden,” beauty and barber shop, bank, Midget Market, computer lab, fitness center, entertainment programs and transportation.

Roberts also likes the fact that access to all of Vantage House's components is included in the entrance fee, which is 90% refundable, and the monthly fee. The same is true for those moving to the new Enhanced Living apartments, of which there are four 2-bedroom and six 1-bedroom models.

Because of the expected demand, preference was given to existing residents who wanted to reserve one of the new apartments. Roberts grabbed at the chance. "Those spaces weren't going to be open for long," he mused. "There's not a heck of a lot they can do about this muscle thing. I just want to be prepared."

Newcomers can move directly into Enhanced Living without having been in residence at Vantage House. But to move into its assisted living or skilled nursing center, residency is first required at Vantage House. Enhanced Living is for those who are engaged in community life, want to be in familiar surroundings and maintain their social life. They don't need the level of acute care that the skilled nursing center provides, but supportive services add peace of mind for emotional and physical well being. They are looking for residential living with as-desired support.