Brandywine Senior Living at Seaside Pointe expands

Brandywine Senior Living at Seaside Pointe is expanding this holiday season, putting the finishing touches on a new wing and memory-care unit.

After nearly a year of construction, families and residents were invited to tour the new wing in late November and Community Relations Director Heidi McNeeley confirmed spots filled fast as Brandywine residents with dementia and Alzheimer's disease prepare to move into the new wing and the assisted living facility adds new residents.

New construction adds 28 units to the assisted living center. It was designed to provide a secure facility for residents to live and participate in the Reflections Serenade memory-care program at Brandywine, said Donna Winegar, executive director.

The existing facility housed 99 residents, Winegar said, and the new addition may grow the community at Seaside Pointe by as many as 40 new residents.

The new wing features two floors with 14 suites, dual dining rooms and kitchens as well as individual keypad-secured entries, living rooms, a sun room and outdoor courtyard for recreation.

Shadow boxes outside individual residences and in common areas were designed for memory care residents and families to place collectables or photographs and familiar images so residents may more easily identify their rooms and be reminded of special moments in their lives, McNeeley said.

"The visual identification helps them," she said. "But it also helps us to see who they were."

'Butler' services are also offered to residents and families in the memory program. A butler is available to accompany a resident to the doctor or help family members arrange a birthday celebration.

Visits with a neuropsychologist are integral to the program and counseling for individuals and families is designed to ease the transition process and provide comfort during difficult times for families.

Each room is nearly 400 square feet and is equipped with an accessible bathrooms, refrigerator and basic cable and wireless internet. Residents supply their own furnishings, artwork, television and personal items, Winegar said.

With the opening of this new addition the existing facility will be next up for renovations, updates and upgrades as well as the implementation of new programs and activities in the existing space, she said.

Already, construction crews have added new facilities for dining and socialization like the new Seaside Pointe Pub, which will open with a full bar and tap beer system.

"We can do anything with so much space," Winegar said.

So far, everyone, including the residents, seem to be in good spirits.

Minnesota native Curt Nelson moved to Brandywine nearly four years ago and now that he's transitioned, Nelson said he's finding a lot of bright sides to his new living situation at Seaside Pointe.

"I don't have to work anymore, there's nice people to talk to and a nice young lady like this to flirt a little," he said, winking at his neighbor across the hall.

"Well I grew up in a flirty place," replied Joan Pitrizzi, a resident and native of Atlantic City.

For more information about Brandywine Senior Living at Seaside Pointe, go to brandycare.com or call 302-226-8750.