New apartment community for seniors in Middletown fills need for assisted living

A new 132-apartment community for seniors, including units for independent and assisted living, is under construction in southern New Castle County where assisted living facilities are scarce.

Meadowcrest is scheduled to open this summer at 820 Middletown-Odessa Road in Middletown on the east side of Route 1, near Odessa.

Owned and operated by Vantage Point Retirement Living, the community will have 63 apartments for independent living, 53 for assisted living and 16 for memory care, said Kate Sammler, Vantage Point vice president of sales and marketing.

There are 33 licensed assisted living facilities in Delaware but only one between Newark and Dover, a 14-bed center in Middletown, Serenity Gardens, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services.

Melissa Smith, director of the state Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, said assisted living facilities represent “extremely valuable” services to Delaware's seniors and their families.  

“We all want to support Delawareans in their homes and communities as long as possible. Assisted living facilities provide individuals with the care they need, while also providing independence and choice,” said Smith.

Sammler said the company’s research pointed to the need in the area and said the location is “ideal,” on 10 acres less than a mile from ChristianaCare’s Middletown Emergency Department and other health care services, with easy access to Routes 1 and 13.

“When we saw the opportunity to obtain the land at that location, it was a win-win because Middletown is such a rapidly growing area,” Sammler said. “There’s an unmet need for seniors who want to stay in the area or move to Middletown to be closer to their families.”

The company has opened an information office at the site, by appointment, and has received interest from seniors living at facilities in other parts of the state who want to come back home to Middletown, Sammler said.

Isolation has long been an issue for seniors, and COVID-19 made it even more apparent, she said.

“What we once considered to be the normal fabric of our everyday lives like simple errands, quick visits to a friend’s home or partaking in a regular social group, for example, are now considered risky for us all, and even more so seniors,” Sammler said.

Quinna Staten, Meadowcrest director of community relations, said residents can participate in activities like dining with friends, taking a yoga class and going to a concert while maintaining social distancing and safety.

“Built-in socialization with your friends and neighbors decreases isolation and loneliness, leading to a healthier you,” Staten said. “We’ve implemented safety measures and precautions to keep you safe while giving you the freedom to visit with friends and family, come and go as you please, and participate however you’d like.”

Executive director David Bolton said Meadowcrest is opening with strict protocols and procedures.

“As an organization, we’ve been able to look at the best practices from others in the industry and create policies and set safeguards as part of standard operating procedure,” Bolton said. “We will open from a proactive stance of protection against COVID-19, not reactive like so many others were forced to do early on.”

Sammler describes the apartments are “upscale,” including stainless steel appliances, full-size washers and dryers, upgraded carpeting and quality cabinetry.

The community will feature a restaurant, casual bistro, state-of-the-art fitness center, exercise programs, a movie theater and a full-service salon and spa. There will be on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy. Weekly housekeeping, linen service, an in-house concierge, transportation, daily activities and 24-hour security are included.

Apartment leases start at $4,200 per month, which includes amenities.

"Our rates are competitive with similar communities in the region, and we encourage people to shop around and compare," Sammler said. "We feel that the value you get for your investment in the level of quality and service in our community makes us second-to-none."

Vantage Point Retirement Living, based in Exton, Pennsylvania, is a senior living development and management company founded in 1995. Meadowcrest will be the company’s third community with three more planned including one in Lewes, Sammler said. For more information on Meadowcrest, call 302-828-0987 or visit meadowcrestlife.com.

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