In 1979, Sony released the Walkman, allowing music lovers to carry their music with them for the first time. Zagat published its first restaurant survey. And Whitney Center opened its doors and welcomed our first residents, reinventing what it meant to be a senior…and showing the world how seniors could live their best lives possible.
“This is a significant milestone, and we’re pleased that so many Hamden seniors and families have allowed us to help them live their best lives,” says Michael Rambarose, President and CEO of Whitney Center, a Life Care Community in Hamden, CT. “As we evolved to meet the needs of the society around us, we’ve made renovations and updates to programs and offerings, but that commitment and promise we made on opening day more than 40 years ago is stronger than ever.”
Whitney Center: 40 Years in the Making
Back in the 1970s, the idea of an upscale retirement community was unheard of. Seniors who required care and senior living options had two choices: nursing homes and apartment complexes for senior individuals. A group of local business leaders and stakeholders from Yale University took a look at the marketplace and decided to make a change in a big way.
And thus, the idea for Whitney Center was born. Named after the great innovator Eli Whitney, the community was designed to be a continuing care residence – a place that would be able to support seniors throughout all stages of their seniorhood. In 1979, Whitney Center opened their doors, offering 200 apartments and 59 nursing home beds. As the years went by, expansions and updates were made in order to remain at the cutting edge of the industry.
In 2011, Whitney Center unveiled the first phase of a major expansion that was planned and designed to reflect a person-centered model of community health care. Larger apartments were built, and upscale amenities were added. Also in the design were community spaces – such as our Perspectives: The Gallery – that could be enjoyed by the residents of the greater Hamden community as well as the residents of Whitney Center.
“One of the great strengths of Whitney Center is our willingness and ability to learn, change and innovate,” says Michael. “Our goal is and has always been helping residents live their very best lives, and we will continue to refine and expand our offerings to provide the most exceptional and research-based care for our residents.”
How Whitney Center Helps Seniors Live Their Best Lives
We make life free and easy.
Our lifestyle philosophy is based on the idea that remaining active, engaged and continually striving for excellence allows you to build a more meaningful, fulfilled and exceptional life. So, we take care of the details, providing a maintenance-free lifestyle, a veritable host of services, upscale amenities, the finest wellness programs, and a full calendar of social events and cultural opportunities. That means all your time is free to do what you want and create the life you want to live.
We provide peace of mind thanks to Life Care.
Whitney Center is a true Life Care Community, which means that as a resident, you have peace of mind knowing that you will always be cared for in the place you’ve come to call home. Whether you require Assisted Living, Memory Care or Skilled Nursing, never fear – it’s all available on our state-of-the-art campus, along with the exceptional service and hospitality you’ve come to expect.
We’re a hub for culture and community.
The arts and the greater Hamden community have always been an important part of who we are. In order to maintain and build on those relationships, we created the Cultural Arts Center, which hosts gatherings, lectures and performances throughout the year. Our in-house art gallery, Perspectives – The Gallery at the Whitney Center, Resident Perspectives showcases rotating exhibits on a regular basis along with artwork created by our residents. Our community partnerships enable us to volunteer and interact with others throughout the community, and we offer events and outings to the entertainment venues in the surrounding area.
We turn dining into an event.
Few things are more enjoyable in life than partaking in a delicious meal with friends and family. Every day, our culinary team creates locally sourced, made-from-scratch, inspired menus for our various dining options. Grab a sandwich at the Bistro, enjoy a beer at the Pub or experience fine dining at Center Stage. Wherever you choose to dine, you know you’ll be savoring a meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
We’re like a five-star resort that you never have to leave.
Want to enjoy a casual game of billiards with your buddies? No problem. How about a relaxing massage? Right this way. Perhaps you want to try your hand at painting or sculpting? We’ve got your palette ready for you. There’s always something to see, do or experience here – you can be as engaged or as relaxed as you wish. It’s all up to you, and it’s all yours to explore.
We’re focused on wellness.
Living your best life means remaining as healthy, active and independent for as long as possible. Our on-site Wellness Center allows residents to get regular check-ups and services without ever having to leave campus. Our fitness center provides so many options to stay active through weight training, cardio exercises, free weights or pool aerobics (and that’s just for starters). And our aforementioned dining program is designed to provide you the right amount of nutrients without sacrificing in taste.
“For 40 years, area seniors have loved living at Whitney Center, and we’re looking forward to continuing the same great service for the next 40 years and beyond,” says Michael.
If you’d like to learn more about Whitney Center and our 40 years of excellence, contact us today. We look forward to discussing how you can begin enjoying the benefits of our Life Care Community.
Discover Excellence in Senior Living.
At Whitney Center, you’ll find a distinguished senior living community where residents do what they love. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, Whitney Center combines all the cultural, educational and historical charms of the Greater New Haven area with the intricate details of daily life for active seniors. Whitney Center is a Life Care Community, offering not just an unparalleled Independent Living lifestyle, but a full continuum of care services as well, including Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Care and Memory Care. Whitney Center even offers a home-based long-term care program, Thrive at Home, which connects seniors to the services they need to live well in their own home.
Choice. Freedom. Opportunity.
We believe that remaining engaged and striving for excellence builds a more meaningful life. That’s why residents experience a host of services and amenities, events and cultural opportunities and wellness programs designed to foster endless growth and personalized living. Backed by our first-rate hospitality and philosophy of continuous improvement, our residents are free to travel, learn, volunteer, set new goals and create the life they want to live.
At Whitney Center, residents live in the midst of cultural arts and education and dignified connections to the greater community. Seniors thrive in pursuit of what brings them joy, with unlimited opportunities to create and contribute. And, with the confidence in quality care services available on site if health needs ever change, Whitney Center makes it possible for seniors to continue enjoying the freedom to embrace life at its fullest.
Contact Whitney Center today to learn more about our Life Care Community!
