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Concept Aims To Bridge Evolving Health Care, Housing Needs

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 27, 2009

RIVERVIEW - A multi-faceted development under construction on Bloomingdale Avenue east of Providence Road is billed as the next generation of senior living communities.

Chuck Frenz, sales manager of The Bridges, said the combination of private homes and condominiums – plus assisted living and skilled nursing care facilities – will allow seniors with evolving health care and housing needs to transition without being uprooted.

The concept, he said, could be the first in the nation to offer the carefree lifestyle, ala carte and full-scale health care services and owner equity options today's seniors seek.

"The Bridges is our expression of what a senior community would be if we could have it any way we wanted it," Frenz said.

The development will be rolled out in stages. The first residents of a two-story, 103-unit assisted living facility are expected to move there in September.

Construction of free-standing, private villa-style homes and condos for sale or lease is set to start in April. Groundbreaking for a skilled nursing facility -- on Watson Road across Bloomingdale Avenue -- is slated for late 2010.

The concept is drawing a lot of interest from seniors who already own homes in other nearby neighborhoods, Frenz said. Aside from thinking ahead to future health care needs, many are looking for conveniences they want now, such as prepared meals, linen service and transportation.

"They can move here and sell their car and never have to drive or cook again if they don't want to," he said.

Some of the most innovative attention to detail, Frenz said, will be found at the assisted living facility in a memory garden under construction outside a wing set aside for residents with memory impairments. People with Alzheimer's, dementia or similar conditions, he said, tend to roam, wander and pace.

"Most facilities try to get residents to stop doing those things, but we've created an environment where it's OK to do that stuff."

Memory-impaired residents will be free to meander along winding paths through a landscaped garden, where security cameras will be stationed at every angle.

"It is way cool," he said.

The Bridges is at 11350 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. For information, contact Frenz at (813) 740-0101 or cfrenz@seniorcaregroup.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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