Clare Estate senior facility opens in former monastery Bordentown. (New Jersey).

A Bordentown tradition has been restored with the opening of the Clare Estate, the former St. Clare monastery whose new life is a state-of-the-art residence for the area's senior population. Community Investment Strategies (CIS), the developer, is hosting a grand opening to welcome new residents and the community to this fully restored historic landmark.

"The most important trend in senior care is toward 'continuum of care'," says Christiana Foglio, founder and chief executive officer of CIS. "The Glare Estate is one of the few facilities to provide affordable latter-year senior living choices to local families."

The Clare Estate, a 10-acre campus set in charming Bordentown, responds to the present and future needs of mature adults by providing three different levels of residential living and services. Clare Court, independent living in the form of 36 newly constructed historically designed apartments, allows residents to enjoy the activities of the entire Clare Estate while living in private cottages. Located in the former monastery of the Poor Clares, Clare House Enhanced Care consists of 51 single and double apartments and features services such as nutritious meals, laundry and housekeeping. Clare Manor Assisted Living provides full-service, licensed assisted living with nutritious meals, laundry, housekeeping, and medical services.

"Years ago, seniors had two choices -- live with their children or be moved into an advanced-care nursing home," says Foglio. "The Glare Estate is the next mode of care, building on what senior care facilities have learned over the past 30 years. Progressive quality care and modem conveniences in a beautiful environment more realistically address the needs of today's seniors, who are healthier longer and enjoy a more independent lifestyle allowing them to age in place."

Foglio, whose company Community Investment Strategies bought the property from the order of Poor Clares in 1998 and began developing the facility in 1999, cites the resourceful funding strategy for helping maintain the facility(1)s historic value. Combining public and private resources such as Historic Tax Credits, HMFA financing and DCA Balanced Housing Funds created the opportunity to produce a quality project at an affordable price for seniors.

Reciprocal benefits of the Bordentown community are also a factor in the Clare Estate's appeal. Senior residents will be part of a vibrant town, within walking and shuttle distance from doctors and charming downtown retail. In fact, Clare Court independent apartments are already home to 30 seniors from the community. Moreover, The City of Bordentown also benefits from adaptive re-use of a historic landmark, keeping this treasured facility as a component of its historic character. The architectural integrity of the 1885 Victorian Romanesque. monastery has been maintained throughout the development preserving aesthetic details such as stained glass windows, arches, and woodwork, while completely modernizing the interior. New buildings on the property have been constructed in harmony with the original structures.

The Clare Estate features a total of 137 senior apartments and provides a secure and attractive campus environment with picturesque landscaping, a medical facility, and historic chapel on the grounds. A bright, open atrium greets residents of the Clare House and Clare Manor, branching off into completely modem facilities, fully accessible common and private spaces, and large, sundrenched apartments. Whether it's independent living or advanced care, Clare Estate provides a home-like environment with all the necessary amenities for quality living. Features include individual climate control (heating, air conditioning), emergency call system, and new appliances in each unit. The facility provides 24-hour security, with on and off site social events to provide residents with ease and enjoyment of a safe but active lifestyle. Specifically designed nutritious meal plans are provided and served in an elegant dining room in the former Chapel of the Monastery.