We have lived here for a month, but we started thinking about it 5 years ago and 5 years ago we were not ready. Now we wish we would have come sooner. Moving here brought our family together and was so carefully planned that we had minimal stress. Now we feel stress free! The staff and residents are so friendly and helpful. We get to exercise everyday and can enjoy meals meeting new friends and acquaintances. We enjoy all of the activities, exercise classes, trips, lectures, discussions, and concerts. After living somewhere for 60 years, we feel this is a new adventure for us.
The layout of the community is such that it is not necessary to go outdoors to meet with other members in the community. The community is serviced in its entirety indoors so when there is inclement weather one does not have to go outside. Evergreen Woods has an outstanding pool and hot tub. The area used for exercising is quite adequate. Meals are consumed in a wonderful and well appointed dining room.
My parents moved to an apartment in Brewster at Evergreen Woods in 1993. They were active in many Resident Committees such as the Pool Committee, the Concert Series Committee and the Resident Council. My father enjoyed working in the Store; my mom swam every day; both loved the EW Concert Series concerts and the many other musical performances and the nature walks on the EW campus. My parents made such good friends at EW and over the years, they became our friends as well since we got to know them during our many visits. Our daughter was born the year my parents moved in and she says that an important part of her life was EW – visiting her grandparents, of course, but also seeing the staff and other residents who became dear friends. I could write at length about many positive features of Evergreen Woods, but I want to focus on the high-quality care my parents each received at the end of their life in Health Center. The staff were kind, responsive, gentle, patient, knowledgeable and go out of their way to take care of the residents. The Health Center doctor, then Dr. Miller and now Dr. Campobianco, is onsite 3.5 days a week which is unusual but so important both for the patient and for the family. Dr. Campobianco was a tremendous support for me as my mom was failing. The Health Center has a full schedule of activities which include music, memory games and chair exercises, etc. Residents are encouraged to participate at whatever level they are able. Weather permitting activities are held outside in a lovely patio area. The dining room is such a pleasant room with lots of windows, cloth tablecloths, and napkins. All different diets and food needs can be accommodated and guests are always welcomed. There is a private dining area for special dinners which we used many times when my dad was in the Health Center. It was so special to have family dinners. Every person who cared for each of my parents was wonderful and helped my family and me tremendously. I highly Evergreen Woods.
The truly unique feature of Evergreen Woods is its pervasive atmosphere of happiness and friendliness. My wife Judith and I were attracted by this when we were exploring retirement communities, and we have been enjoying it on a continuing basis as residents for seven months now. Every resident and staff worker is openly and genuinely happy and friendly whenever and wherever our paths cross. This has to be based on the beauty and functionality of the buildings and their facilities, and on the comprehensiveness of the care and service that the staff are proudly providing. Just a few examples: --The Dining facilities are a beautiful, spacious, first-class restaurant and a cozy clubroom bar, with four-star service; and full lunches and dinners can also be delivered to your apartment whenever that better suits your health or schedule. The Monthly Service Fee includes a dining credit that covers most of your dining charges. - And there is a Country Store where your other food – and living – necessities can be purchased. - And the Country Store sits next to a Beauty Salon. - The Fitness Center features every kind of exercise machine and equipment; and the indoor Swimming Pool is spacious and surrounded by a large, comfortable deck. Both are served by locker rooms with showers and complementary towel supplies. - Residents who favor outdoor fitness have beautiful woodland hiking trails, and/or can create their personal garden plots. - Comfortable guest suites accommodate visiting friends and relatives. - A good-sized meeting room is close to your apartment, and is available for gatherings of friends and relatives for celebrations and buffet-dining, with catered food and appropriate furniture imported for each occasion, should you need it. And, of course, these facilities and their staffing invite and trigger an avalanche of happy and friendly activities by a talented and knowledgeable population of residents, whose interesting careers, vocations and avocations prompt them to plan and participate in community, entertainment and educational committees, games and recreational programs, social gatherings, outings and trips that just fill everyone's calendar.
Located in North Branford, Connecticut, Evergreen Woods offers 88 acres that enclose an idyllic New England setting within a perfect location. Services include independent living. The surrounding woods are full of maples and evergreens with walking trails bordered by wildflowers. Our gardens make a colorful and fragrant addition to the grounds, and the proximity of Long Island Sound means our residents can enjoy beaches and boating just minutes from home at Evergreen Woods.
What should caregivers and potential residents know about Evergreen Woods?