COVINGTON, LA— Ninety-year-old Fred Rogers lets out a hearty laugh as he describes his daily routine of meeting up with old friends and chatting over a cup of coffee. “The reason we get together every day and talk is that we don’t remember the conversation from the day before,” said Rogers. “You know I love being around people and I know I’m beginning to forget things, like to eat. So, I’m looking forward to this move.”
What Rogers is referring to is his decision to move out of his Covington, Louisiana home and relocate just down the street where he will take up residence in Avanti Senior Living of Covington, a revolutionary senior living community, which is scheduled to open in June.
The 77,000-square-foot, $15 million community will provide 50 assisted living suites and 40 memory care suites, serving up to 98 seniors and creating 60 jobs. This will be Avanti’s first residence in Louisiana, and soon those visiting and living at Avanti will begin to understand how this community’s architectural and interior design, technology and operational programming and services set Avanti apart from other senior living communities around the country, company reps said.
Avanti Senior Living of Covington will include a state-of-the-art wellness center with ballet barre and fitness programs, a theater area, a dining platform that provides fresh meals on demand from a restaurant-style menu, formal and casual restaurants and a full-service salon and spa offering relaxation therapy, aromatherapy, therapeutic massages, hair styling and manicures/ pedicures. In addition, the community will have a fully-functional art studio with an abundance of natural light and a display wall for residents’ artwork.
Barbara Ducote will also be moving to Avanti after years of sharing one room with her husband, Willard, in a Metairie nursing home. Willard, who suffered from dementia, needed more care than Ducote could give him alone, so they moved into nursing care even though Barbara could do many things for herself. As her granddaughter, Spring Ouber explains, “I live on the Northshore, and I was looking to move my grandparents closer to me so I could help them more. We found Avanti, and it was perfect because it had both assisted living and memory care.” Sadly, Willard passed away in April, but that has not stopped Ducote from moving and she, like Rogers, is getting excited about her new living situation.
“I’m told I can bring my own furniture and I am looking forward to unpacking my things and moving in,” said Barbara. “I love people and get along with people, so I’m sure I will adjust and enjoy living there.”
For many of the new community members, especially those who have lived in older homes, Avanti will introduce them to the latest in technology, as the assisted living community places an emphasis on using technology to enhance residents’ experience for uses such as care collaboration, risk management and connectivity with family and friends, company reps said. Residents are encouraged to learn and use social media and Skype, with instruction and guidance available. Residents can also wear an interactive device to stay connected to their care partners, allowing staff to track where a resident is in the community. The device can also collect vitals and works as an RFID key to access their suite.
“The senior housing industry was in need of change, and Avanti has brought that change,” said CEO Tim Hekker. “Over the years, senior housing operators have fallen into the same old patterns with how they design and operate communities. Seniors and their families are demanding a change, from the look of the community to the quality of food and the type of engagement opportunities and amenities offered. Avanti has answered that call, providing an environment in which anyone would want to live.”
Avanti has not only answered the call for those seeking assisted living, but it has also answered the call for families looking to place loved ones in an environment that is engaging, company reps said. As Ouber explains, “My grandmother is still very active, and I’m excited to see her move into a stimulating community offering many programs and activities that she will enjoy. I know she’s going to feel very much at home, and that’s important. I also know she will receive as much help as she needs and yet maintain some of her independence, and that’s important too.”
While Avanti’s headquarters are in Texas, there is a close Louisiana tie. Avanti’s COO, Lori Juneau-Alford is a Louisiana native. She said she is delighted Avanti is opening in her home state and notes, “Our communities are modeled after boutique hotels, with resort-style amenities creating an environment that caters to active, ageless seniors who want to keep experiencing life. Even though we engage residents in a variety of ways within our community, we chose to open our first community in south Louisiana because of its abundance of art galleries, specialty shops, festivals, restaurants and performing arts centers, which will tremendously benefit residents.”
Looking forward to the benefits is Rogers, who became a widower four years ago. He admits he is slowing down just a bit and needs a little more help with simple chores and tasks. Other than his favorite chair, he’s not sure what all he will bring with him, but he’s not worried about making a move at his age. The only thing he is leery about is leaving behind what he calls one of his treasured possessions. “I have honey bees that I take care of, he said. “You know I still drive, so I’m going to be able to go and take care of them.” When asked if there was a family member who could do that, Rogers lets out his trademark laugh, “Oh, I have a son nearby. He’s this big, burly guy and would you believe he’s afraid of them! This husky guy is afraid of something that sits on your finger!”
Avanti Senior Living of Covington is located off Hwy. 21 and Ochsner Blvd, in the Watercross at Nor du Lac. The sales gallery and model rooms are now open. For a tour, interested parties can contact the sales office at (985) 222.9747 or at CovFRA@avanti-sl.com.
After opening in Covington, Avanti has plans to build a community in Lafayette.