THORNWOOD— After years of planning, Thornwood welcomes its first senior living community.
Benchmark at Mount Pleasant, located at 2 Zeiss Drive, includes 74 assisted living apartment and 26 memory care units, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms residences. Amenities include movie theater, art room, gym, wellness center, hair salon and family gathering spaces.
It offers meals, housekeeping, enrichment programs, medication management, personal care services, transportation and physician checkups. Monthly costs start at $8,000.
“Whether it’s enjoying homemade, seasonal meals with friends, a competitive poker game in the card room, watching holiday movies in the movie theater, relaxing in the salon or reading by one of our fireplaces, we’re excited to help residents stay connected and engaged,” Sara Humphreys, executive director of Benchmark at Mount Pleasant, said in a statement.
What to expect at Benchmark’s senior living in Thornwood
Benchmark Senior Living operates about 70 senior living communities nationwide, with the Thornwood location marking its first in Westchester.
Among the first residents to move in was Hilde Sachse, 86, who downsized from a single-family home in Valhalla. She moved into the community in November and has enjoyed the exercise programs, musician visit, art class, meals and friendly staff.
“This is my little home away from home. Everything is so convenient,” Sachse said. “My daughter always said, ‘Mom, I feel like I sent you to college where you meet new friends, have a good time and be silly.’”
Rising demand for senior living in Lower Hudson Valley
Demand for senior living communities has been rising across the region, driven by a growing older population. In Westchester, the number of residents age 60 and older increased by 25% between 2010 and 2020. Rockland saw a 28% increase in residents 65 and older during the same period.
The new community in Thornwood joins about 11 other senior housing developments that have opened in the region since 2020. Most of the projects have been branded as luxury senior living communities, with monthly costs that range from $3,350 to $11,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.
At the same time, housing options remain limited in the Lower Hudson Valley for seniors who can’t afford luxury developments. The reasons for the dearth of affordable alternatives include restrictive local zoning laws, community opposition to large developments, escalating land and construction costs, and high interest rates.
Helu Wang covers economic growth, real estate and education for The Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network. Reach her at hwang@gannett.com and follow her @helu.wangny on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: See inside new Benchmark senior living community in Thornwood
Reporting by Helu Wang, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
