For more than 15 years, one of the biggest topics of discussion in Key West has been the future of senior living. In 2014, the City Commission asked the Housing Authority to determine the feasibility of constructing a senior housing solution that offered needed services to its residents. After several years of development and construction, the community is about to have its hopes realized. This spring, the brand new Frank P. Toppino Poinciana Gardens Senior Living Community will open on Duck Avenue, offering both supported independent living and licensed assisted living. For many aging community members, the new senior apartment complex will provide not just a solution to the lack of housing but also will offer quality of life unmatched for the elderly residents in Key West.
Poinciana Gardens is owned by the housing authority and was created by a special construction loan provided by Centennial Bank, and importantly, was not built with taxpayer dollars. Due to this special low-interest financing, and because the project is being operated as a non-profit, Poinciana Gardens can offer cost-effective rents to the elderly population of Key West.
The Housing Authority and the project developer, Key West Senior Development LLC, selected American House Senior Living, one of the top senior housing providers in the United States, to manage the community.
Jany Coyle, executive director, as well as a trained nurse and passionate advocate for home caring, said “This is not a cookie cutter operation. It’s a job that doesn’t feel like work.” She is excited to be part of the next stage of senior living in Key West. “It’s gratifying to help people enjoy a better life.”
The building itself was built to the highest standard of full assisted living. Of the 106 units, initially the first two floors are for supported independent living and the third floor is for licensed assisted living. Seniors from age 50 and up can choose from shared or private studios, one bedroom, or two bedrooms. In order to assure that the residents’ needs are fully met, the monthly cost includes three meals a day, weekly laundry, housekeeping, activities, and care staff for the supported independent living residents, plus nurse-provided assisted living services.
In addition, the facility has a physical therapy room, visiting doctor office and common areas, several lounges, quiet reading areas, and even a community garden. The facility will offer scheduled transportation to downtown areas and grocery stores. Lastly, the dining experience will have a full-time chef and restaurant-style indoor and outdoor dining. The staff will include a full-time activities director, with a broad range of daily activities both in the facility and in the community.
Poinciana Gardens is scheduled to open in early May for supported independent living residents, followed shortly by the assisted living floor. For more information call 305-440-3191.
