East Ridge at Cutler Bay, Miami-Dade County’s only life care community, has opened a new $70 million health center within the community. Three Palms at East Ridge offers assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation accommodations.
Three Palms at East Ridge replaces the 53- year-old community’s current skilled nursing facility bringing a state-of-the-art health center to Cutler Bay area residents as well as to residents living at East Ridge.
The services and accommodations offered at the new Three Palms Health Center are open to the public and not exclusive to residents of East Ridge.
The community will feature 90 private assisted living apartments including studio suites and one- and two-bedroom residences in Palm Court; Palm Lane with 31 private suites for memory care and Palm Terrace for the skilled nursing center with 74 private rooms.
Additionally, the building accommodates home health services and medical offices, the community’s new dining room and bistro for independent living residents and laundry facilities.
Three Palms at East Ridge also is LEEDs Certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEEDs for Home program and incorporates many sustainable features. It is a premier example of sustainability in the Miami area. Among the strategies incorporated were the use of low emitting materials such as carpeting and paint, thermally efficient energy and water efficiency.
The new Three Palms at East Ridge has been a unique collaboration involving the residents and SantaFe Senior Living, the sponsor and management entity, with the architectural firm AG Architecture of Wisconsin and interior designer Bridget Bohacz + Associates Inc. of Glen Burnie, MD.
“Residents formed a task force and conceived a new philosophy based on ‘Choice and Change’ which focused on services and care that they would want should, and if, they needed the services in skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care,” explained Rick Drew, director of sales for East Ridge.
“The new direction of Three Palms focuses on resident-centered living whereby the resident is empowered to direct what they want and when. Always at the core is what the resident wants. The new culture has also driven the design concept of Three Palms.” The Key West-inspired architectural design is in keeping with the previous additions to the East Ridge community which include the fitness wellness center, lifestyle activity buildings and renovated residential villas.
In assisted living, located on the first floor, each residence is equipped with a kitchen, refrigerator and microware. A specialized dining room is located within the assisted living wing as well as private dining room for family gatherings and special occasions. There is a creative arts studio with kitchen, gathering room which is a living area/lounge and fitness center. An expansive screened lanai opens onto the outdoor garden courtyard with a butterfly garden.
Memory care residences are located within a secure wing on the first floor. There also is an enclosed courtyard with a walking path and screen veranda. Attention to details includes incorporating edible plants in the garden. There are studio suites and one-bedroom apartments. Similar to the skilled nursing, there are living and dining areas called “neighborhoods” with a country kitchen as all as a private dining room.
“The memory care is designed to address the needs of residents who require 24-hour supervision while giving them the freedom to move about,” Drew added.
Skilled nursing accommodations and long-term care are located on the second and third floors. Each floor has its own living and activity areas much like a single-family home’s great room. These areas are known as “neighborhoods” where residents can relax. They’re considered more conducive to greater privacy and intimacy than larger settings. Country kitchens are also part of the skilled nursing “neighborhoods” which offer the ability for residents to dine whenever they want and have their requests accommodated by caregivers.
“The East Ridge philosophy recognizes the need for a change in the philosophy of care and one that will serve the growing needs for elder care,” Drew said. “Newer models in long-term care aim to make settings more residential and this is the goal behind the new expansion of East Ridge.
“With more than 450,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease in Florida and the growing aging population, quality of life is key. Residentcentered care through ‘Choice and Change’ transitions East Ridge’s health center from an institutional care setting to a social model with emphasis placed on delivering care with flexibility in response to resident’s requests.”
Celebrating over 50 years serving Miami- Dade County, East Ridge at Cutler Bay, a SantaFe Senior Living Community, is the area’s only life care community incorporating eight components of wellness: social, vocational, intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional, and environmental and health services in every facet of its lifestyle. The community draws from the rich neighborhood charm of suburban Cutler Bay and the vibrancy of Miami in a lush tropical environment of 76 acres.
East Ridge is located at 19301 SW 87 Ave. and offers a continuum of care including independent living.
For information, call 305- 256-3564 for a personal tour or visit www.EastRidgeatCutlerBay.com.
