metro
Senior Services from page 8
to such a large number of residents,
the leadership of JSL has no plans to
pursue that option.
"Serving kosher food is very impor-
tant to who we are; it's part of our
Tiddishkeit,' Rosenberg said.
Keeping Active
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Ilintbs. I
A resident at Meer Apartments lights
the weekly Shabbat candles in the
dining room.
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the dining program.
This involved hiring more than 100
new employees, including a director
of dining services, several chefs, wait-
resses and other kitchen staff.
The change has received mixed
reviews from the tenants. Some voiced
complaints about small portions; oth-
ers say they have gone back to their
apartments to make oatmeal or frozen
waffles because they could not eat what
was served for dinner.
"I came here so I wouldn't have to
cook:' said one resident. "Now I'm
sorry because what I cooked was better
than I have here
Other residents say the food has
improved since JSL took over the oper-
ation. Administrators acknowledge that
food is a matter of taste and preference
and that as people age their taste buds
change.
From a management standpoint,
Lester said moving the food service
program in-house has resulted in
lower costs, more menu variety, and
less waste and spoilage. He said the
administration wants to be sensitive
to the complaints and opinions of the
residents, who have the opportunity to
participate in dining committee meet-
ings with the food services director.
Upfal said staff is looking at changes
that might include providing more
meals during the week or offering light
lunch options, such as soups and sand-
wiches. Currently, most of the dining
rooms serve dinner Monday through
Friday; three daily meals are served at
the Fleischman Residence/Blumberg
Plaza in West Bloomfield and at the
Margot and Warren Coville Assisted
Living Apartments in Oak Park.
While it would certainly be less
expensive to provide non-kosher food
The many activities, discussion groups,
speakers and other programs received
high praise from residents across
the board. A recent town hall-style
meeting with U.S. Rep. Gary Peters,
D-Mich., drew more than 150 people.
A grant from the Jewish Women's
Foundation enabled JSL to offer a book
club, led by a professional facilitator, in
Oak Park and West Bloomfield. A film
club is next on the agenda.
"They want to be active, hear new
speakers, learn new things:' Upfal said.
Residents voiced appreciation for
the staff social workers and the "live-
ins:' on-site aides who provide assis-
tance when needed.
"They don't walk, they run [when
a resident requires help[:' said a Meer
resident.
Competition
With such a large elderly population,
it is to be expected that other senior
living options have joined the market-
place. In addition to senior facilities
such as Trowbridge and Heritage, both
in Southfield, and Fox Run in Novi, the
most well-appointed "new kid on the
block" is All Seasons, a new apartment
residence less than a mile away from
the Meer and Hechtman buildings in
West Bloomfield.
All Seasons offers one- and two-bed-
room apartments, with monthly rent
ranging from $3,499-$4,500, including
two full meals a day, biweekly cleaning
services and the use of the pool and
clubhouse at the nearby Aldingbrooke
apartment complex.
By comparison, the average monthly
rent for a one-bedroom apartment
at Meer is about $1,800; the rent at
Hechtman is slightly less. In addition,
some residents receive income-based
assistance from HUD, while the Prentis,
Teitel and Hechtman I apartment build-
ings receive some federal government
funding.
"We provide services whether or not
people can afford it," Lester said.
While Upfal and her colleagues
acknowledge the competition, they are
not troubled by it.
"We may not be the newest, but our
staffing levels, on-site social workers,
activities and free transportation make
us desirable Upfal said. "Our competi-
tors may have pieces of these things,
but not all of them:'
Lester said senior housing is a
growth area with plenty of room for
Senior Services on page 12
10 October 23 • 2014