Lodge at Truitt Homestead provides independent living for seniors

Seniors who want to remain independent with the convenience of apartment living with plenty of amenities in the coastal area have a new option in housing.

The Lodge at Truitt Homestead, located off Shuttle Road near Rehoboth Beach, is under construction at the center of Truitt Homestead, a 55-plus community of 90 single-family homes also under construction.

Michele Strum, community relations director, said the Lodge is an independent-living complex with 85 units, including a mix of standard, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for seniors 65 years of age or older.

One-bedroom units range from 676 to 779 square feet, while two-bedroom units range from 995 to 1,337 square feet. Standard units are slightly smaller than one-bedroom units. All units include kitchens.

The three-story Lodge is owned by Truitt Senior Living LLC, a joint venture between Vantage Point Retirement Living LLC of Exton, Pa., and Ocean Atlantic Companies of Rehoboth Beach. Vantage, a regional senior living development and management company with communities in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, will operate the facility.

Ocean Atlantic President Preston Schell said the facility will have superior architecture and interior design, and attention to detail.

Amenities include a large dining room, cafe and pub, family lounge, indoor and outdoor pool, theater, game room, multi-purpose room for programming, fitness center, beauty salon, barbershop and spa, covered porches and patios.

Amenities will also be available to residents of the Truitt Homestead community.

A rooftop deck and bar will be open to Lodge residents only.

“Residents will be able to do everything they need to do within the building,” Schell said.

Association with Beebe Healthcare

Strum stressed that the Lodge will be an independent-living facility where all residents must be ambulatory to evacuate themselves from the building in case of an emergency per Delaware State Fire Marshal regulations.

Schell said when long-term health issues arise and residents are no longer independent, continuing care will be offered at another facility. Ocean Atlantic and Vantage are working toward final approval of a continuing-care facility on a 9-acre parcel between Savannah Road and Kings Highway in the City of Lewes.

He said Lodge residents would be moved to the front of the list for admission to the facility, which will have 80 independent-living, 63 assisted-living and 63 memory-care units. Shuttle service between the two facilities will be available.

The Lodge is not licensed as an assisted-living facility. However, there will be access to some health and wellness services through a partnership with Beebe Healthcare.

Beebe will provide a free health and wellness concierge at scheduled times, and will offer home-care services, outpatient physical rehabilitation, and health and wellness education. Beebe Medical Group will have a primary care physician's office in the wellness center with a doctor holding weekly office hours depending on the needs of residents.

Short-term home-care services include nursing, social services, physical and occupational therapy, and support from certified nursing assistants.

About empowering seniors

Upfront entry fees, a standard practice at some senior-living facilities, are not required. The entry fee is equal to two months' rent and residents must commit to a one-year lease. After one year, residents can leave with 60 days' notice.

Monthly rents range from $4,000 to $5,600. Rent includes $200 in meals per person, basic utilities, telephone, weekly housekeeping and linen service, and programs.

Interest in the facility has been strong, Strum said, with 30 percent of the apartments rented.

Strum said the facility is for seniors who have reached a stage in their lives where they want to get out from under household responsibilities and take advantage of the services and amenities at the Lodge, and still retain their assets.

Kati Cohn, corporate director of community relations, said the Lodge offers another level of living for seniors. “Their lives do not lose value. We want to tap into what brings out their passions,” she said. “It's about empowering people to have an amazing life.”

For more information, phone 302-232-6372 or go to TruittLodge.com.