In Southbury, Sen. Kane Helps Break Ground

September 12, 2011

On September 8, State Senator Rob Kane attended the groundbreaking ceremony for The Villa at Watermark’s Innovative Memory Care Residence in Southbury.

The Watermark at East Hill is a distinctive community with a tradition of delivering an unparalleled lifestyle to its adults 65 and older since 1991. The community features maintenance-free living in 158 luxury apartment homes, and an array of exceptional services and amenities.

“Watermark Retirement Communities has demonstrated its commitment to creating a world-class retirement community by investing more than $10 million to foster an environment that encourages residents to continue to learn, grow and thrive,” Kane said. “I was honored to attend this ceremony.”

State Senator Rob Kane (third from left) attended the September 8 groundbreaking ceremony for The Villa at Watermark’s Innovative Memory Care Residence in Southbury.   From left to right: Southbury First Selectman Bill Davis, The Watermark at East Hill Executive Director Michelle Bettigole, Senator Kane, The Watermark at East Hill Resident Council President Gini Dreyfus, The Watermark at East Hill Director of Health Services Denise Julian.

State Senator Rob Kane (third from left) attended the September 8 groundbreaking ceremony for The Villa at Watermark’s Innovative Memory Care Residence in Southbury. From left to right:
Southbury First Selectman Bill Davis, The Watermark at East Hill Executive Director Michelle Bettigole, Senator Kane, The Watermark at East Hill Resident Council President Gini Dreyfus, The Watermark at East Hill Director of Health Services Denise Julian.

The Villa represents a $2.1 million investment in The Watermark at East Hill. Slated for completion in the summer of 2012, The Villa will be a free-standing, 7,024 square foot assisted living home offering the highest levels of personal care, with structured programs providing a variety of health, social and related support services in a safe, secure setting.

The first of its kind in Connecticut, The Villa at The Watermark at East Hill is designed to provide innovative memory care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and residents with other forms of memory loss in a positive, supportive environment that includes 14 private rooms and bathrooms, a great room/common area with family-style dining, and an outdoor courtyard.

Employing a “universal caregiver” concept, The Villa at The Watermark at East Hill will have only 14 residents at full capacity, with a minimum of two dedicated caregivers during day and evening shifts and one overnight. Unlike older, clinically-based models of caregiving, which place a premium on the efficient delivery of care, The Villa’s high caregiver-to-resident ratio provides residents with Alzheimer’s and memory loss outstanding, effective care while also offering choice and flexibility.

This investment follows the development of The Club, the community’s senior wellness center. Opened in 2009, The Club is a $1 million addition that includes a resort style salon and day spa, a heated indoor pool and fitness center designed specifically for seniors. Watermark Retirement Communities also recently received approval for 28 cottages on the campus of The Watermark at East Hill, which will offer independent living with full access to all of The Watermark at East Hill’s services and amenities.