People Care of New Jersey, Local Gerontologist Provide a Continuum of Care for Residents Living at the Community

TEANECK, N.J., June 17, 2009 – Heritage Pointe of Teaneck recently formed two new partnerships with area healthcare providers to offer a “continuum of care,” announced Kevin Hunter, vice president of sales and marketing for American Heritage Communities, which owns and operates the full-service independent senior living residence. People Care of New Jersey, based in Hackensack, N.J., has opened a nursing office in Heritage Pointe’s wellness center. In addition, Heritage Pointe has established a relationship with respected area Gerontologist Dr. Terri Katz from the Center for Dynamic Aging. Dr. Katz will maintain regular office hours at the community for medical appointments with residents living there.

“‘Aging well’ is an important factor in staying healthy,” Hunter explained. “Our residents already partake in numerous activities that we offer to promote good health, including exercise programs, swimming at The Spa at Glenpointe and outdoor programs focused on the 49-acre Teaneck Creek Conservancy adjacent to our property.”

To further support seniors’ goals of staying active and healthy, Heritage Pointe of Teaneck also hosts activities through the established Well by Design™ program, which targets the six aspects of wellness: intellectual, physical, vocational, emotional, spiritual and social. Well by Design features an average of 120 programs monthly.

In addition to helping residents receive quality healthcare services in the privacy and comfort of their own apartments, People Care will provide customized programs for residents requiring additional health services. People Care also will offer monthly on-site educational seminars and discussions focused on topics suggested by residents, added Donna Sorge, RN, BSN, executive director of People Care of New Jersey.

People Care, a New Jersey licensed healthcare service firm, is available to Heritage Pointe residents on a short-term basis to assist with ongoing needs. Sorge will serve as the agency’s clinician, performing all new assessments, monthly supervisory visits and forming each residents’ individualized care plan.

For medical attention when needed, residents now will have the opportunity to make appointments with Dr. Katz, who will be at Heritage Pointe several scheduled times during the week for in-depth consultations, check-ups and/or treatments.

“The residents are so grateful that there are doctors visiting the community on a regular basis,” stated Katz. “The personalized service reminds them of the good old days when doctors made house calls.”

“Health and wellness is our priority, and the new medical options provide residents with important services, flexibility and new choices right here on-site,” Hunter said. “This partnership will allow our residents to ‘age in place’ with support and dignity while continuing to enjoy their independence and all the services available at Heritage Pointe of Teaneck.”

Heritage Pointe of Teaneck is located at 600 Frank W. Burr Blvd. in Teaneck, N.J. Anyone interested in more information can visit their Web site, www.heritagepointeofteaneck.com, or call (201) 836-9260.