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 t - Ilintbs. I A resident at Meer Apartments lights the weekly Shabbat candles in the dining room. health marKets® The Smarter Way to Shop... For a Health Medicare Life Insurance Supplemental Long-Term Care Retirement FREE QUOTE Call (248) 459-2268 CAROLYN C. KLINGER, Licensed Insurance Agent HealthMarkets Insurance Agency is the d/b/a, or assumed name, of lnsphere Insurance Solutions, Inc. which is licensed as an insurance agency in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. SeNice and product ayailabilityvaries by state. HMIA000588 A, WohitA,WA, 9 -)COURAGE • CONFIDENCE • YOU - Dedicated Experts For Chemotherapy Solutions • Mastectomy & Lumpectomy Breast Forms & Bras • Reconstruction Products Specialists • Human Hair & Synthetic Wigs • Turbans & Pretty Headcoverings • Hot Flash Apparel k 28966 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-565-8467 fax 248-565-8476 www.awomansimage.net 43205 Garfield Rd. Clinton Township, MI 48038 586-286-1277 fax 586-286-1702 Accredited Facility by Medicare Hours: Tues-Fri 10:00-4:30 & Sat 10:00-2:00 Participating provider with Medicare and most insurances 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