Hear It From Harrogate: Our Team’s Perspective

Written by: Gianna Garrow

Yesterday was a very rough day at work. We lost a wonderful 99-year-old man.

I work in skilled nursing in a nursing home. Yes, there are mostly older, medically compromised people there. It is most likely their permanent, last home. We will fall short, but we try to do our best for them. I hear comments from friends outside of work at times like, “how can you handle it?” or if we lose someone, “Well, they are all going to pass at some point; why are you sad?”

Yes, we get attached. Yes, they pass away. Yes, we know they will at some point. Yes, we still mourn. We mourn in different ways from each other. We mourn together many times. Even when you expect it, you’re human; you are emotional. You’re sad. We grieve together.

My part of being a health care worker is to just make their final years, months, weeks or days as comfortable, gentle as we can. Sometimes it’s the little things we do that make a big difference: a FaceTime call to a distant relative, using that technology with them for the first time; getting them an orange soda; filling a bird feeder outside their room’s window. I had someone this past year go on hospice, and she told her hospice nurse the one thing she wished for was an Italian Ice. I had some in our freezer – only lemon flavor. As I brought her one, I thought about getting her a fresh one from the boardwalk soon; I was disappointed this was all I had to offer. I gave her the supermarket one apologetically and asked if she would like a different flavor, but she was so appreciative I don’t think any other would have surpassed that one. The timing was perfect.

Doing the little we can, we are blessed every day by their thankfulness, love and relationships we get in return, often tenfold. My favorite quote is by Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” Being a caregiver is a special, sacred relationship. We spend so much time with people that we form bonds with, so different from our own outside relationships and, at times, difficult to explain to others. Sometimes we have heartbreak. We move on; we come back tomorrow. I have days where I sit in my car and cry or drive home in silence or prayer. I have many days where my heart is full or a little something someone said to me resonates with me on and on and on.

A couple of weeks ago, Betty White passed away. She was 99 years old. Regarding her passing, many people said, “You know someone is special when they pass away at 99 and the world thinks it wasn’t long enough to have them around.”

Well, we feel that way all the time. We have many “Betty Whites.” The world doesn’t know them, but we do. We learn their history, preferences, careers, and about their families and friends. We have a responsibility to them. We know their time with us may be limited, but they touch our lives, and we are sad to see them go even when we know they are in a better place or out of pain.

We lose our “Betty Whites” every day.

This article was shared in the Asbury Park Press.

Why Making a Move to Harrogate Is As Easy as 1, 2, 3

Do you like the idea of a maintenance-free, carefree lifestyle that allows you to do all the things you want … but feel a little overwhelmed when you think about all you’d have to do to make that move happen?

Fear not, says Charles Benjamin, Executive Director of Harrogate, a premier active senior living community just minutes from Toms River and the Monmouth/Ocean County beaches. Making the move to a more enriching lifestyle is easier than you think.

“Making a move to Harrogate is as easy as one, two, three,” he says. “Our 52-acre Life Care Community is designed to tap into your new and rekindled interests, let go of worries and embrace a more fulfilling, experience-rich life. We like to make the move easy, too, so we’re ready and willing to create an incentive package that works for you.”

Charles says that although moving from a private home into a retirement community might seem like a large ordeal, it doesn’t have to be. “We want this stage of your life to truly be the time of your life, so we want to make the transition as smooth and easy as possible,” he explains. “We say that there are three distinct steps that go into moving to senior living. Breaking the process down to three steps makes it feel less daunting and a lot more manageable.”

  1. Research your options.

The first step to moving into a senior living community means finding the right one first. But before you even start looking for locations, sit down and take stock of your retirement and what you want it to look, sound and feel like. For example, what do you want to accomplish next year? In 5 years? 10 years? Even though plans can and do change, it’s always good to have guidelines that will help you narrow your focus and look for locations that will really enrich your life. For example, do you want to spend a lot of time traveling? Learning a new skill? Visiting friends and family?

Next, it’s time to start thinking about what you need to have and what you want to have in a community. Think of it a little like buying a house: you have your wants and needs, which can help you better find and rate different options for yourself and your lifestyle. If being in nature is important to you, for example, you might want to look for locations that are located near (or on) preserves and other gorgeous natural landscapes so you can enjoy the great outdoors without having to travel far away from home.

Then, once you’ve determined what you want your retirement to be, it’s time to start looking at different retirement community options that meet what you’re looking for. A good place to begin searching is on Google. You’ll find plenty of information, including official websites, that will give you a picture of what is available in your desired location. Be sure to read independent reviews and ask friends and family for their information or experiences. Using all the information available to you, you should be able to narrow down your list to two or three communities that meet your desires.

  1. Choose your community.

The best way to see if a community is right for you is by actually visiting it in person. Schedule a tour with each of the “made the grade” communities that are on your list so you can get a firsthand look at everything the place has to offer. Much like you would when looking for a new house, it’s good to have a long list of standard questions that you ask each community when you go and visit. Gathering the same information will help you better compare and contrast when it’s time to choose. The questions you ask can be literally endless, but some examples of things you might want to find out include:

  • What levels of care do you have available at your community?
  • What services are included in the monthly fee? What are not?
  • What activities and events are available on a regular basis?
  • What’s the dining experience like?
  • What is the financial solvency and history of the community?

It’s also good to have a standardized checklist that allows you to rate the community on various things such as appearance, resident health and happiness, amenities, friendliness of staff and so on and so forth. These are the intangibles that you can’t see or feel from the computer screen. Be sure to spend a good amount of time at each community, preferably staying for a meal and activity. You’ll also want to meet some of the current residents and get their take on what life at the community is like. Finally, listen to your gut and what it’s telling you when you’re on site. Does it feel like a place where you could truly be “at home,” or is there something in the back of your mind that’s concerning you?

Finally, after you’ve toured each community on your list (preferably more than once), it’s time to make a decision. In a perfect world, you would know the exact right community for you the instant you walked on campus, but if that isn’t the case, that’s quite all right. Take your various lists and compare and contrast the different communities against each other. Be sure to think hard about if you can see yourself living there or not. Hopefully, you will have a clear winner by the time you’re done with your review, and then comes the fun part – contacting the community and signing a contract for this new stage of your life.

  1. Make the move.

You’ve made all the hard decisions; now comes the enjoyable part – actually moving and starting life in your new community. If you’re currently living in a private home, you’ll probably need to pack up your belongings and get the house ready to sell. Downsizing and decluttering can be a big project, so you may want to enlist the help of an agency that specializes in helping older adults transition from a private home to a retirement community. They can not only help you go through your personal items, but they can also help coordinate moving companies, real estate companies and everything else that is necessary to get you on your way to your new home.

Be sure to get a floor plan of your new space so that you can more easily figure out what items of yours you can keep and what will go (as well as what you might want to buy new to fit into a smaller area). Remember that even though your private living space may be smaller than what you currently have, you’ve actually gained all the space and benefits that the community has to offer.

Finally, once the house is sold and the moving van is packed up, it’s time to move into your new community. The community you choose will be more than happy to help coordinate everything to get you safely and easily into your new home. Once you’re there, you can take a deep breath, relax and start unpacking. You’ve done it – you’ve moved into your new home, and now it’s time to look around and discover everything that awaits you.

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a worry-free, fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer. From opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself to the peace of mind of future care, socialization and so much more.

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are worry-free for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!

Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.

The Journey to Senior Living: A Step- by-Step Guide for Seniors and Families

Are you or a loved one thinking that senior living may be right for you? These days, moving into senior living isn’t the stigma it used to be. Instead, senior living is filled with vibrant opportunities, numerous choices and lifestyles that have younger folks wishing they could move in right now. However, narrowing down the options and taking the steps can be overwhelming, especially at the very beginning.

“As with any big life decision, starting out on the journey can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that you just need to begin with a single step,” says Charles Benjamin, Executive Director of Harrogate, a premier active senior living community just minutes from Toms River and the Monmouth/Ocean county beaches. “We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help seniors and their family members understand the process while taking some of the uncertainty away.”

Charles says that it may help to think about senior living like choosing a college, or picking a new house. “A lot of the principles are the same,” he says. “Just remember to do your research, consider your options and make a decision that feels good to you. And of course, remember to have fun. This can be a very exciting time for you.”

Step 1: Decide if it’s time for senior living.

The first step in the process is deciding whether the time is right to move to senior living. While there is no right or wrong answer, here are some questions to ask yourself or your loved one in order to help make that decision.

  • Are you able to do all the things you want to do with no or minimal help?
  • Can you handle personal care tasks on your own, or is it becoming too difficult?
  • Are you able to manage your medications correctly?
  • Are you remaining social and active, or have you become more isolated?
  • Are you tired of dealing with all the chores and tasks that come with owning a house?
  • Are you feeling increasingly lonely or bored?
  • Are you having accidents at home, such as falling or other issues?
  • Do you have hobbies and activities that you enjoy, and are you able to engage with them?

Depending on the answers to those questions, you may decide that senior living is right for you or your loved one.

Step 2: Do your research.

Depending on where you live, you may have a large number of CCRCs to choose from. This can be good or bad, depending on your ability to narrow down exactly what you want. That’s why it’s important to do your homework and understand exactly what you’re looking for so that you can find a community that meets and exceeds everything you want and need.

A great place to start is with our comprehensive guide to CCRCs, where you’ll learn basic information of what’s available to you. Here are some other things to do during your research phase of the journey:

  • Decide on the care level you will need, whether that’s independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing or memory care. Many communities have a variety of different care levels on the same campus.
  • Figure out the price point that works for you. Depending on your finances and benefits coming your way, you may decide that one location will work better for you than another.
  • Come up with a list of the top four or five choices. It does no good to set up tours with many different communities. Having fewer choices can make the decision easier – and, of course, if you don’t like any of the ones you see at first, you can always expand your search.

Step 3: Tour your choices.

The next step in the process is to contact the communities on your list and set up tours. Even though you can get a lot of information online, there’s no substitute for actually going into the community and experiencing the atmosphere, looking at the rooms, tasting the food and interacting with staff and residents. As you know from buying a house, a place that looks great in pictures may have a lot of issues that you won’t see until you step foot inside. Here are a few ways to help make the most of your tours and get the information you need to make the right choice:

  • Ask questions. It can help to have a standardized list of questions (such as the one you’ll find here) that you can take with you to every community you tour.
  • Consider doing more than one tour at each community that you’re seriously considering. We recommend going back at different times of the day. Another option would be to book a short-term stay at the community to get a real feel for what it’s like.
  • Ask if you can meet several of the residents and spend a good amount of time with them. A good community will have “brand champions” who love the community and will gladly answer all your questions.

Step 4: Select your option.

After you’ve toured all your options, it’s time to make a choice. This can be a long process, and a stressful one. However, if you’ve done your research and listen to your gut, your instincts won’t steer you wrong.

Step 5: Get ready to move.

You’ve made your choice – congratulations! You’ve taken the first step towards your new chapter of life. The article “7 Steps to Finding the Perfect Senior Living Community” lists some points for getting ready to move that you may wish to follow, depending on your circumstances:

  • Meet with an Elder Law Attorney to prepare the appropriate documents. These are attorneys that specialize in the legal requirements of aging and/or the preparation of documents useful for end-of-life care.
  • Sell or leverage your home. If there is currently home or property ownership, that equity can be used to help with care expenses.
  • Get help with the move. While you can definitely downsize, declutter and get rid of items yourself, you may wish to consider hiring a professional team that specializes in moving seniors from a home into a community.
  • Apply for and receive Veteran’s benefits. If you or your loved one served in the military, or if you, or they, were married to someone who did, speak to a Veteran’s benefit consultant to see what financial programs you may be eligible for.

Step 6: Enjoy your new home.

You’ve done your research, planned your move and finally you’ve done it – you’ve moved into your new senior living community. Take a deep breath, because now it’s time to do the best thing of all … make the new community your new home. Many senior living communities will have orientation for new members to help them get acquainted with all the services and amenities available for them. You may also wish to ask staff members if they can connect you with other residents whom you might enjoy meeting. Remember, everyone at the community was new once, too. Sooner than you think, you’ll start thinking of senior living not just as “the community,” but as “home.”

5-Star Skilled Nursing Care in Lakewood, New Jersey

 As a Life Care Community, Harrogate provides residents with access to long-term and short-term health care services on our campus – meaning our residents never have to leave their home to receive the care they require. Our Health Center offers both private and semi-private suites, as well as comfortable common spaces where residents can mingle with one another as well as staff. Personalized care plans are developed in tandem with residents’ needs and preferences.

“Our community has a reputation for delivering high-quality skilled nursing care in a homelike environment,” says Charles. “Our team of specialists is trained to handle every aspect of skilled nursing, from comprehensive wound care to individualized programs for specific health needs. We’re among a select few retirement communities in Ocean County, New Jersey, to earn a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.”

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a worry-free, fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer. From opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself to the peace of mind of future care, socialization and so much more.

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are worry-free for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!

Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.

Senior Living Success: Telling the Kids About Your Move

One thing we can probably agree on is that we’re all glad to see 2020 in our rearview mirror. Many senior adults, after closing the chapter on the past year, are now looking to 2021 and considering what the new year has in store for them. For many, making the move to a senior living community like ours makes complete sense, says Charles Benjamin, Executive Director of Harrogate, a premier active senior living community just minutes from Toms River and the Monmouth/Ocean County beaches.

“The threat of COVID-19 has caused many older adults to reconsider their living arrangements,” Charles says. “Surprisingly for many, a senior living community like Harrogate is actually the safest place for them to enjoy their days while also social distancing. Thanks to rigorous safety standards put in place, a senior living community is often much safer than living independently in a family home.”

While this may seem counter intuitive, Charles says that moving to an enclosed community provides older adults a sense of freedom while also bringing peace of mind for the future. “Your risks are much lower and the safety standards are much higher, making it the perfect place for older, at-risk adults to spend their retirement,” he says. “However, at some point you have to do something that may be difficult: telling your kids about your decision.”

Charles says that adult children can have a huge range of emotions when it comes to hearing their parents are moving to retirement living. They may be thrilled and completely supportive. On the other hand, they may be resentful, stubborn or simply believe that you are making the wrong choice. What’s a senior adult to do?

Obviously, you want to make sure you ease your kids’ minds during the transition, while also asserting your independence and preferences. Here are some tips for helping share the news with your kids, easing their concerns, addressing any questions they may have and getting them excited about this new journey that lies ahead.

Focus on the benefits.

It’s always best to lead with the positives and benefits as you’re announcing a new life change. This will help make the situation a lot more palatable to your loved ones, and can also help cut off any complaints before they begin. “Many adult children may assume that their parents would prefer to stay at home or live with them instead of moving into a community, and this change could be very discombobulating to them,” says Charles. “They may be resentful at the loss of their family home, or they could be worried that you won’t receive the appropriate level of care and assistance.”

Take some time to learn about the community you’re moving to and present the information to your kids in an optimistic, positive manner. Let them know that your desire to live elsewhere isn’t a personal slight – you’re making the right decision for you based on your personal experiences and knowledge. Be open about your choices and why you’ve decided to move. Whatever your reasons are, let your children know that you’re doing this to improve your quality of life – not to punish anyone or step away from everything you love.

Be prepared to answer a lot of questions.

Your children will probably have many questions upon your announcement. These can range from financial to personal to everything in between. You will need to prep beforehand and decide what you want your kids to know – and what they don’t need to know. After all, if you’re making this decision for yourself, you’re simply informing them of the change – you don’t need to justify yourself or get their permission.

It may be helpful to have some brochures from your community on hand so you can easily share information and get your children additional information. You may also wish to schedule a tour of the community with your kids so they can see firsthand where you’re going and also meet the staff and other key members of the community. Having plenty of information can help answer your kids’ questions and put them at ease about your decision.

Reassure them that you’re doing this to help continue – not stifle – your independence.

Surprisingly, there are still many misconceptions about senior living out there. One of the biggest is that moving to senior living robs older adults of all their independence. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, moving to senior living can actually increase your independence and improve your quality of life for longer than you would be able to live at home.

Having information about the community you’re moving to can help reassure your children about your decision. If they see that you’re doing this to benefit your life and even take responsibilities off their shoulders, they may be more amenable to the situation and eventually become as excited as you about this new chapter of life.

Ask them for their input and help.

While moving away from a home you know and love can be sad, it can also be an opportunity for you to share an experience with your children – and get their input. Ask your children for their help so they can be an integral part of this next phase of life. This is a great opportunity for your family to go through your home, look through personal items and share stories about the history you’ve experienced in the family home. While this can be bittersweet, it can also forge priceless memories. Take your time as you go through the house and pare through your belongings. You may be surprised at what items hold particular meaning to your children. Don’t forget that this is a perfect time to pass along heirlooms and other family pieces – not only will they get those items out of your hands, but you’ll also be able to see your kids and relatives enjoying them during your lifetime.

“The biggest thing you can do to get your adult children excited about your move is to involve them in the process,” says Charles. “By positioning this as an exciting, invigorating time, they’ll be more likely to get excited about the move – and, by extension, you will too. Although there may be bumps in the road and you may experience some skepticism, involving them in the process is one of the best ways to reassure your adult children and share your enthusiasm with them.”

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer – from opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself to the peace of mind of future care, socialization and so much more.

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are worry-free for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory support and more for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!

Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.

New F.D.A. Approved COVID-19 Vaccine Released at Harrogate

Harrogate is pleased to be able to offer the COVID-19 vaccination to residents and employees through our partner pharmacy. Residents and employees will be in the initial distribution group in the CDC phased allocations and among the first in the country to have access to the vaccine once it is available. Specific vaccination distribution and delivery plans, including the prioritization of residents by level of care, will be determined by each state. Click here for the most recent state plan for the rollout of vaccine access.

Harrogate and other communities managed by Life Care Services® are partnering with CVS and Walgreens to provide the vaccine to residents and staff free of charge. Vaccinations will be carefully administered by a licensed professional at Harrogate, offering the peace of mind that comes with not having to venture out in public to receive the immunization.

Harrogate is dedicated to mitigating the spread of COVID-19. We continue to put residents first by utilizing enhanced infection and disease control protocols, while still providing exceptional experiences for residents.

If you have further questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC website here. Please contact us at 866-606-0178 for specific information about the vaccination plan at Harrogate.

To review current FAQs regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, please click here.

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer – from opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself to the peace of mind of future care, socialization and so much more.

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are worry-free for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and more for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!

Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.

Making the Move: 3 Signs You or a Loved One Is Ready for Senior Living

Does the idea of moving to senior living make you or your loved ones wince? If so, it’s time to flip the script, says Charles Benjamin, Executive Director of Harrogate, New Jersey’s premier active senior living community, located just minutes from Toms River and the Monmouth/Ocean County beaches.

“Senior living is the place to be for today’s older adults,” Charles says. “Thanks to the Baby Boomers, senior living has become very similar to resort-style living. It’s maintenance-free, worry-free and all-inclusive – making it the perfect springboard for active, independent adults who are ready to enjoy their retirement to the fullest.”

A community like Harrogate, a Life Care Community that provides full-service health care for seniors of all ages and stages, makes it easy for today’s seniors to live an engaged lifestyle while also receiving everything they need to age well. “Ask any senior what they want their life to look like, and you’ll probably hear the refrain I want to grow old in my own home,” Charles says. “Well, Harrogate has been designed to help seniors do exactly that. We strive to be a community that older adults are excited to move into, because they know that they’ll receive the assistance they want and the independence they deserve. We’re definitely not your grandma’s nursing home – Harrogate is a destination for a harmonious, fulfilling and experience-rich life.”

Still, some older adults or family members may be hesitant about moving into a community because of long-held beliefs of what a “home” looks like, says Charles. “The most important thing that seniors and their families should know is that senior living is a positive experience these days, instead of a place to be avoided,” he says. “Still, there are certain older individuals who may be hesitant about moving into a community, even if their lives could be greatly improved by the experience. If you’re an older individual wondering if senior living is right for you, or if you’re an adult child considering senior living for your loved one, here are some signs that moving to a community like Harrogate could be beneficial.”

  1. Home maintenance is turning into a real hassle.
    Homeownership is the American Dream, but home chores and home maintenance can quickly become the American Nightmare – especially for older adults. Dealing with the day-to-day drudgery of cleaning, cooking, laundry and other routine tasks can get dull and exhausting. Then, there are all the regularly scheduled tasks that need to happen throughout the year, such as maintaining the lawn, getting the house ready for winter (and shoveling snow), raking leaves, paying real estate taxes, dealing with furnace and air conditioner issues … the list goes on and on. Forget the price tag of all these tasks – the time suck that they cause can be enough to make even a young person throw up their hands in defeat.

That’s why today’s senior living communities are designed to take the hassle of homeownership off seniors’ plates, leaving them all the time in the world to do the things they want to do. For one monthly fee, residents at Harrogate enjoy the comfort of their own private home along with the benefits of a resort-style community. The on-site maintenance staff handles everything from clearing snow to landscaping to even changing light bulbs – you never have to lift a finger again if you don’t want to. And for just one monthly fee, you can say goodbye to real estate taxes, homeowners insurance and home upkeep. Living in a senior living community has all the benefits of home with none of the downsides.

  1. Staying social is more and more of a drag.
    As social creatures, humans crave and thrive on the connections we have with our fellow man. But as we get older, it can get more difficult to find and maintain meaningful connections. Friends and family move away. It becomes harder to get out and stay active. But at a senior living community, staying social is as easy as stepping outside your front door. Think of moving to a community like Harrogate as starting college – only without the homework and career angst.

Whether you’re an active and independent senior or an older adult who needs a little extra assistance, it’s easy to remain social thanks to the regularly scheduled activities and events that take place every day. From learning a new skill to practicing favorite hobbies to scheduled outings and more, there’s always something going on. Best of all, you don’t have to deal with managing the event yourself – all you have to do is show up. At a senior living community, you or your senior loved one can be as social as you’d like with classes, gatherings, social events, hobbies, classes and so much more. The hard part will be figuring out what to say “no” to!

  1. You (or your loved ones) desire peace of mind and security.
    Getting older, as the saying goes, ain’t for sissies. While the mind is willing, the body can be quite weak, and living on your own in a family home can be worrisome. Most houses aren’t set up as a safe and comfortable place for seniors to age. However, a senior living community is intrinsically designed to help older adults remain in a home they love with minimal disruption. For example, at Harrogate, private homes are equipped with safety features like pull bars, emergency alert systems, doorways that are wide enough for things like walkers or wheelchairs and a caring, responsive staff available 24/7. These amenities allow aging seniors to age safely and securely “in place” – allowing them to live their golden years in comfort without having to undertake a big move if and when they require additional assistance.

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a worry-free, fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer, from,

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are untroubled for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory support and more for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!

Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.

Senior Living 101: Your Guide to Housing Options

When it comes time to choose a senior living option – when you decide you’d like to let go of your worries and embrace a more fulfilling, experience-rich life – you may find yourself wondering what is best for you. It all depends on what you’re looking for and expecting from your retirement, says Charles Benjamin, Executive Director of Harrogate, Ocean County, New Jersey’s premier active senior living community and located just minutes from Toms River and the Monmouth/Ocean County beaches.

“Older adults may find that moving into senior living sooner rather than later brings innumerable benefits,” says Charles. “For example, Harrogate is a Life Care Community, meaning that we provide every level of service on-site at our community. If you’re looking for a place that can be your forever home, where you will always have peace of mind that you’ll experience the highest-quality care no matter what you might need, a Life Care Community may be the right choice. However, if you’d prefer more flexibility and are willing to move to a different location if your needs change, you might want another form of senior living.”

Charles says that while there are plenty of options out there, such as age-restricted communities or communities that only provide one or two services on-site, they come with their own downsides. “We like to put it this way: if you do need a higher level of care, do you really want to move again when you’re older and have less mobility? Or would you prefer to remain at a place that you know and love, so you don’t have to leave your friends and community?”

”Harrogate is the only senior community in the Lakewood, New Jersey area to offer Life Care, meaning that we can be your home for life. If you ever need it, you’ll have our in-home health services delivered to you right in your home. You also have priority access – for life – to our skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services and memory support, all available on-site at our Health Center.”

For Active Seniors: Independent Living

Independent living is exactly like it sounds – a lifestyle where all the chores and details are handled while you enjoy the life that you want. Active and independent seniors can say goodbye to home maintenance, chores and even cooking and cleaning, because it’s all taken care of.

“At Harrogate, we offer residents freedom,” says Charles. “Our 52-acre community provides so many opportunities for you to tap into new and rekindled interests and live the best life possible. It’s like living at a full-service resort!”

Independent living housing can vary from cottage homes to studio apartments. Harrogate offers a variety of floor plans to fit our residents’ lifestyle and budget. Every home is outfitted in style, with a full-scale kitchen, spacious bathrooms and gorgeous views … plus a built-in neighborhood of friends just outside your door. Independent living means enjoying plentiful services and amenities, fine dining every day and so many options to spend your time as you wish.

Care That Comes to You: Home Health Care

Home health care is Harrogate’s version of assisted living. Unlike other communities, where independent living residents usually have to move into an assisted living apartment when they require a certain level of care, our residents have the benefit of receiving in-home care right in their Harrogate residence. Residents continue to enjoy all the activities, amenities and perks of their community. Best of all, you don’t have to move – you can stay in the same apartment that you’ve come to call home.

Home health care provides a wide range of services, including assistance with the tasks of daily living, medication management, mobility assistance and even dementia and Alzheimer’s care. This allows us to help our residents who have cognitive issues to remain “at home” for as long as possible.

Compassionate Care: Skilled Nursing

For individuals who need a higher level of skilled care than home care can provide, Harrogate can help. We have a reputation for delivering high-quality skilled nursing care in a homelike environment. Our team of specialists can handle everything from comprehensive wound care to creative individualized programs for cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

Our skilled nursing center offers both private and semi-private suites, as well as common spaces where you can mingle with others who are enjoying our services. Skilled nursing residents also enjoy similar benefits to our other residents, such as services and activities and excellent dining options.

Getting You Back on Your Feet: Rehabilitation

Following a surgery, illness, or accident, you want to get back on your feet (and back to home) as soon as possible. That’s where our supportive rehabilitation professionals can help you regain your independence. Housed in our Health Care Center, we provide a variety of therapies and services that allow you to return you to the things you love to do as soon as possible. Unlike our other levels of care, we offer direct admittance for rehabilitation, meaning you or your loved one doesn’t have to be a current Harrogate resident to use our services.

“We hear from so many of our residents that they wish they had moved to Harrogate sooner,” says Charles. “That’s the highest compliment we can receive. We’re proud that our community offers so many opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself. It simply makes sense to come while you’re still active and independent so you can fully enjoy everything we have to offer.”

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a worry-free, fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer. From opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself to the peace of mind of future care, socialization and so much more.

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are worry-free for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory support and more for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!

Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.

Moving Made Easy® Transitioning Your Life

Moving made easy? It’s not too good to be true. In fact, it can be smart, easy and – dare we say it – enjoyable.

“These may be unprecedented times, but that doesn’t mean that transitioning your life isn’t a smart move,” says Charles Benjamin, Executive Director of Harrogate, Ocean County, New Jersey’s premier active senior living community and located just minutes from Toms River and the Monmouth/Ocean County beaches. “In fact, it’s one of the best moves you can make, and Harrogate can help make it easier for you thanks to our partnership with Moving Station.”

Charles says that it’s never too early or too late for seniors to begin transitioning to a more fulfilling, experience-rich life. “Even with COVID-19, this is still an excellent time to make a move,” he says. “This is especially true in fall, because moving now means you’re able to avoid another year dealing with home maintenance in winter. Instead, you can enjoy an easy season at our maintenance-free community.”

The State of the Real Estate Market

 It may seem surprising, but the real estate market is hot, hot, hot. While showings and home sales slowed at the beginning of the pandemic, they’ve made a significant rebound since then. Historically low interest rates are just one factor. Another is that “starter homes” (read: more affordable homes for young families or first-time home buyers) simply aren’t being built, making the inventory low as demand continues to rise.

In the New Jersey area, the housing market has been heating up in part due to the pandemic shutdown. People are moving from the large cities and settling in the suburbs, and as more and more companies improve their work-from-home policies, people are free to move and go where they want or need to go, whether that’s for a school system, to be close to family or simply be in a desirable area.

Preparing Your Home for Sale

Just because the real estate market is incredibly hot doesn’t mean that you can simply put a for sale sign in your yard and wait for the offers to roll in. That’s why it’s so important to hire a professional real estate agent to help show off your home in the very best light (and get you the best offer possible).

90 percent of home buyers begin their search online, so you want to make sure your listing looks as great as possible. Professional photos are a must, but also consider a virtual walk-through. Because of COVID-19, the majority of buyers will only schedule showings of homes they are seriously considering, and having a virtual walk-through will make it easier for them to literally see themselves in your home.

Consider current home trends as you and your real estate agent are staging your home for sale. These days, buyers are looking for houses with a home office space, so consider having a spare bedroom do double-duty. Finally, be sure to price your home correctly. Too high, and you won’t get any bites – too low, and you may not get the full value for your place. Again, a real estate professional will help you figure out the best way to stage, arrange and show your house in order to get the most eyes and most bids.

Getting Ready to Move

Before you put your home on the market, you’ll want to get ready for your move. Not only does this get you in the right mindset, but it also will help you purge and downsize your items (and clear out your house so it’s easier to stage). Here are a few tips from the experts:

  • Give yourself plenty of time to complete the process. No matter how long you think it may take, just know it will take even longer than that. Don’t try to get through everything in a weekend – or even a week. Several weeks and up to several months is a more realistic timeline.
  • Take time to reminisce. Going through your home is like going through tangible memories, and it’s inevitable that you will want to stop, go through things and reminisce about old times. That’s perfectly fine. Give yourself the time to do that and build it into your schedule.
  • Don’t start with a big room at the very beginning of this process. Start someplace that doesn’t have much emotional attachment, like the linen closet or the laundry room. This will get you into the groove and be less overwhelming. Plus, completing a smaller room will give you the momentum you need to keep going.
  • Get rid of rooms you won’t need. If you won’t be needing an office, third bedroom, den or other space, you can get rid of pretty much everything in them right now. Depending on what you have, you may want to hold a garage sale or take things to the consignment shop. Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace are also great places to offload items.
  • Consider giving heirlooms and legacy gifts at this time. Are there items you want to leave to your children or grandchildren? Instead of waiting for them to read the will, give those pieces to them now if you won’t have space for them in your new place. This way, you’ll be able to see your descendants enjoying them.
  • Get rid of duplicate items. This is particularly true in the kitchen, where (if you’re like most of us) you have a preponderance of spatulas, spoons and silverware (just to name a few things). Consider your needs moving forward and purge accordingly.

“Moving is a big decision, but with foresight and planning, it can be an enjoyable one,” says Charles. “If you’re considering moving to a community like Harrogate, you can take advantage of our partnership with Moving Station as well as our experienced staff. We’ve helped many older adults transition into a worry-free and carefree lifestyle, and we look forward to doing the same for you.”

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a worry-free, fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer. From opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself, to the peace of mind of future care, socialization and so much more.

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are worry-free for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory support and more for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!

Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.

Harrogate: Offering Exceptional Senior Living to Toms River, NJ

When it comes to senior living, no one should settle for anything less than exceptional. At Harrogate, Ocean County, New Jersey’s premier active senior living community, located between Toms River and Lakewood, New Jersey, that’s exactly what residents get.

 

“Residents at Harrogate can enjoy the freedom to explore everything our 52-acre community has to offer while enjoying the opportunity to embrace and experience the best of life every day,” says Gloria Walsh, Associate Executive Director at Harrogate. “Harrogate is our residents’ happy place and it’s easy to see why. With exceptional value, community, security, purpose and a worry-free lifestyle, our residents wish they’d made the move years ago!”

 

“Worry Less, Live More” at Harrogate

Have a look at our lifestyle and explore what makes living at Harrogate a one-of-a-kind experience!

 

  • Expert health care services. With independent living and an array of health services, residents can enjoy the peace of mind that their needs will be able to be met without leaving the community they love. Each level of health services meets the specific needs and wants of the individual whether they desire independent living or require home health care, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation or memory support. No matter what our residents need, we have a care team consisting of on-site specialists including physicians, therapy staff, nursing professionals and more.

 

  • An array of services and amenities. Because we take all the worries off your plate, you can enjoy everything our community has to offer. Enjoy a class, attend a variety of events, hear from special speakers, go on trips and attend concerts. No matter what you’re looking for, we have an option for you.

 

  • A healthier and happier you with Eight Dimensions of Wellness. We combine the eight aspects of wellness to help ensure our residents live healthy, happy and well. We help residents age successfully by focusing on spiritual, intellectual, social, environmental, physical, emotional and vocational health as well as wellness and so much more.

 

  • Delicious dining. Our dining team strives to provide a restaurant-style dining experience. Menus are varied, we know your personal tastes and dietary preferences and we make your meals from scratch, just how you like them. Eat in our Kettle Creek Cafe, enjoy al fresco dining, and experience our Schnetzer Dining Room. The options are all yours.

 

  • A robust activities calendar. At Harrogate, we offer so many opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself. Whether you want to enjoy your long-held hobbies, focus on hidden talents or learn something completely new, you can find your purpose and fill your days with socialization and happiness.

 

  • Floor plans to fit your desires. Our spacious, maintenance-free and newly renovated senior living apartments are available in a variety of floor plans. Pay a one-time entrance fee based on the size of residence you choose and then a monthly service fee that covers your maintenance, utilities, housekeeping, meals and so much more! Choose a plan to meet your needs and desires and experience the lifestyle you deserve.

 

  • A smart plan for tomorrow. At Harrogate, we know that life isn’t perfect. This is why we offer Life Care. With a one-time entrance fee, you will have access to the care levels you need, no matter when you need them. Life Care offers predictable monthly fees, even when you can’t predict what’s going to happen from day to day.

 

Discover what it means to be Harrogate Happy and learn more about how we can provide you with the lifestyle you deserve and aspire to. Call ​866-606-0178 for more information today!

 

This Is What “Worry Less, Live More” Looks Like

Located near Toms River, New Jersey, Harrogate offers a worry-free, fulfilling and experience-rich life. Here, you’ll be free of the hassles of homeownership while having access to all of the best that life has to offer. From opportunities to engage, enrich and challenge yourself, to the peace of mind of future care, socialization and so much more.

 

No matter what your needs may be, we can meet them, ensuring you are worry-free for years to come. With our Life Care, you can enjoy independent living, home health, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory support and more for one entrance fee and a monthly fee that covers everything our lifestyle has to offer.

 

Worry Less and Live More at Harrogate!
Call for information at ​866-606-0178 or visit our website.