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The Birches at Esopus

Universal Design is Key to Easy Living

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Kingston, 11/10 by Gina Marinelli

No one can predict the future, but one can prepare for it by creating a safe home environment to “age in place.”

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), aging in place is the ability to live in one’s home regardless of age or ability. However, Active Adult Communities (AACs) throughout the Hudson Valley and tri-state area have made it possible to age in place in a community that is not only accessible, but beautiful as well.

Malcarne Contracting, under the ownership of Joseph Malcarne, is one of the key contractors responsible for the construction of The Birches at Chambers, an affordable senior housing community in Ulster. “The first thing that would be surprising is just how beautiful the place is,” Malcarne says of the landscaping and architecture. It was important to meet the full spectrum of needs of the seniors, Malcarne says, while still remaining user-friendly to those without special needs.

“If you are a fully independent and active senior today, you don’t really have to take advantage of the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) appliances and features,” says K.J. McIntyre, director of marketing of Birchez Associates, LLC, which represents The Birches at Chambers as well as many other AACs. “But let’s say you fall and break a hip, you don’t have to move to accommodate that.”

All units are either handicapped accessible or handicapped ready if a resident’s needs change, says McIntyre. With wider doorways and extra studs in the bathroom walls to accommodate grab bars, the units can be retrofitted in stages, she says. For instance, in the kitchen, the island can be adjusted to provide moving space, and the central drain can be switched to a side drain so that tenants in wheelchairs can have easy access. In the bathrooms, McIntyre continues, roll in showers are already in place and fold down shower seats can be installed and additional grab bars can be added, as necessary.”This is especially helpful if there is a couple living in the unit,” she says.

In the case of The Birches at Chambers, Malcarne wanted to “create senior living that is going to provide healthy and quality indoor air and be very energy efficient.” Slated for a LEED Platinum certification, The Birches at Chambers is a state-of-the-art building, says Malcarne, which features energy recovery ventilators and air exchangers that recovers heat and humidity in the air. In addition, the units are extremely airtight, the attic features cellulose insulation made of recycled newspapers, and there are solar panels on the roof, which will provide a large portion of the energy to supply heat, hot water, and electricity to the community.

“Finding affordable housing at this level of universal design with the aging-in-place concept is very unusual,” says McIntyre. The Birches senior living communities, which also have locations in Esopus and Saugerties, offers EMS quick responses, fitness centers and trainers, movie theatres, libraries, game rooms, fully equipped computer rooms, among other amenities for a complete and convenient living experience. Birchez Associates will soon break ground in Fishkill, giving residents access to the nursing services of the Elant campus on which the facility will be built. . .

Excerpted from the full article, Multi-Generational Design: Universal Design is Key to Easy Living, in the Boomer’s Guide to Living 2010 published by Schein Media (Kingston, NY)

The publication is currently available by clicking here.

Baby Boomers: How a Retiring Generation is Keeping Community and Wellness in Mind

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Kingston, 11/10 by Meghan Zanetich

Active Adult Communities (AAC) are continually changing and upgrading the concept of amenities, offering more to potential residents than ever before. These days, the 55-and-better community is taking notice, and choosing to retire in places where they can continue to live full and enriching lifestyles.

In these communities “active” is the operative word. It is active participation by the residents that is attracting attention. “There has been much more focus on personal control in your life,” says Barbara Devine, personal trainer at The Birches at Chambers, one of five Birchez Associates, LLC, communities. She says that people are looking to improve their quality of life, and physical activity is a huge part of that. “Workouts give people a chance to socialize, talk, and most importantly, gain confidence,” Devine says.

In addition to a fitness studio, The Birches at Chambers offers a community room, media room, computer lab, crafts room, and library, all with full accessibility to residents like 63-year-old Candace Belles. “All of the amenities are geared to keeping you active as possible – one of the reasons I wanted to be here,” Belles says. She was recently elected activities chair and says that people are taking interest in developing clubs and participating in many things. Bus trips to the Monticello Casino and Raceway and the Eastern States Exposition Fair in West Springfield , MA, are being planned, in addition to movie nights and dance lessons. “Dancing is very big around here – we’ve even had salsa dancers come to our community room,” Belles says.

While most activities are done on-site, a lot of residents’ hard work is sent off into the community. Groups will gather to weave and embroider lap blankets for local hospitals, or even to become foster grandparents in the community, like Belles does. The range of activities in most of these communities is based around your state of mobility, but many places offer buses for non-driving residents. . .

As the baby boomers redefine the “golden years,” this active generation will once again start a trend of what retirement can really mean. As they downsize their homes and downshift from corporate careers, they will continue to live a life full of socializing, educational, athletic and service-oriented activities, wellness, and fun. In addition to the lifestyle they will continue, or begin, in an AAC, the 55-and-better demographic will see longer days while keeping a sense of community in their life.

Photographs with captions: top left “At The Birches at Esopus, residents meet in the two-storied foyer as they wait for a ride into town, allowing them to spend time with the others in the community.”

middle right: “A fully-equipped fitness studio staffed by a skilled trainer at The Birches at Chambers allows residents to build strength and gain confidence, while improving their health and wellness.”

bottom left: “Residents at The Birches at Chambers gather in the media room to watch classic films and independent movies produced in the Hudson Valley.”

Excerpted from the full article, Baby Boomers: How a Retiring Generation is Keeping Community and Wellness in Mind, in the Boomer’s Guide to Living 2010 published by Schein Media (Kingston, NY)

The publication is currently available by clicking here.

Redefining Affordable

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Kingston, 11-10 by Kim Plummer

Over the past few years there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of affordable housing developments being built throughout New York State. For aging boomers seeking affordable housing, the key is to start looking early, do your homework, and reach out to local agencies, sources say.

Ken Harris, senior policy analyst for New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) says the decline in this sort of housing can be attributed to increased costs and zoning issues. “A lot of housing that needs to go through zoning changes is finding opposition from neighbors in many cases,” Harris says. “It’s a recent trend that’s difficult.” . . .

When looking for affordable senior housing, one should keep in mind that affordable housing can still be very competitive with market-rate housing as far as amenities go. A lot of people believe the more you pay, the more services you get, but that’s not always the case, Harris says.

Housing is unique; amenities, transportation services, and communities vary quite a bit, even in the realm of affordable housing units. Harris suggests people do their homework when searching for affordable housing; one element he finds particularly important to seniors is an onsite service coordinator.

“The service coordinator is sort of like a linchpin between the resident and services in the community,” Harris says. “They can help the resident find resources in the community – everything from Medicare, Medicaid, help with information, and supportive health services.”

Currently, The Birches at Chambers in Ulster and the Birches at Esopus in Ulster Park are two ADA-compliant, affordable housing facilities resembling market-rate housing. Amenities in the average rental price of about $750 per month include fitness trainers in the onsite fitness studio, a movie theater, community rooms, a library, fully equipped computer labs with Internet access, and craft rooms. Additionally, The Birches at Chambers is anticipating LEED Platinum certification and has been certified as a NYUSERDA Energy $mart Building. “It’s not what people expect to see for affordable housing,” says K.J. McIntyre, director of marketing for Birchez Associates, LLC.

Most recently, Birchez Associates has received initial funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to build affordable senior housing onto the Elant campus, a nursing home in Fishkill. This will be another ADA-compliant facility. “With the service of Elant close at hand, we can offer additional home health and nursing care as needed, while our residents continue to live in their homes, as opposed to the nursing home environment,” McIntyre says.

Birchez Associates also owns and manages two additional affordable senior housing communities. Chambers Court, completed in 2004, provides cottage-style one- and two-bedroom apartments adjacent to The Birches at Chambers in Ulster. The Birches at Saugerties is another affordable senior community completed in 2006 with 60 garden-style apartments. . . .

Seniors who need assistance finding affordable housing can contact their local Office for the Aging, where they can be provided with additional consultation about affordable housing as well as Active Adult Communities that specially reserve units for affordable housing.

Photo: The Birches at Esopus

Excerpted from the full article, Affordable Housing Trends: Redefining Affordable, in the Boomer’s Guide to Living 2010 published by Schein Media (Kingston, NY)

The publication is currently available by clicking here.

Going Pink for the Cause

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Ulster Park 10/19/2010 – For Rie Schreiver, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has a special significance — because for the last 15 years she’s been able to participate as a breast cancer survivor. Rie and her husband Al have made cancer — specifically breast cancer — their charity. They’ve participated in Relays for Life, Strides, and a variety of American Cancer fundraisers over the years. So when The Birches at Esopus Residents’ Club president Barbara Conklin asked if anyone wanted to organize something for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Rie and Al stepped up to the plate.

The cause became a joint effort with the Crafts Club. Hand made cards, adorned with fabric, pearls, and many, many pink ribbons were enscribed with positive messages with a Hope/Believe/Cure theme. These cards will be donated to the American Cancer Society for those with or recovering from cancer. The Crafts Club went a step further creating glass coasters with a white grid and pink yarn ribbon.

Today it all came together with a special bagels brunch for breast cancer awareness held in the Community Room at The Birches of Esopus. Rie selected Panera “pink ribbon” bagels because not only were they shaped in the classic pink ribbon twist, but because she knew that Panera’s donates $0.33 of each of these bagels sold during October to the cause.

Residents enjoyed a relaxed — and very pink — event, all for a very good cause. And while fundraising wasn’t the primary aim of the event, Rie and Al Schreiver are very pleased with the check they will present to the American Cancer Society on behalf of The Birches at Esopus residents.

photos: top right is Rie Schreiver shows off some of the handmade cards that will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Lower left is one of the Panera “pink ribbon” bagels.

Hinchey Hosts Medicare Educational Forum

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Kingston, October 18, 2010: Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY 22nd) lead a panel of experts to discuss Social Security, Medicare, the new Health Care Plan and proposed legislation before an audience of seniors at The Birches at Chambers. The site, an affordable senior housing community completed this year by Birchez Associates, drew readily from its residents and those of the adjoining Chambers Court and Seven Greens complexes. Some residents from other Birchez communities also came for the forum.

The Congressman addressed concerns over seniors affected by the donut – having to pay full price for medications before supplemental coverage kicked in. He said close to 8,000 of his constituents fell into this category. Hinchey continues to work on legislations that he has proposed which he hopes to see passed after election to further help seniors both those trapped in the donut and on issues related to COLA (cost of living adjustment) — or lack thereof — as seniors see a second year without any increase. For a summary of Hinchey’s support in standing up for Seniors, click here.

Hinchey, who has served in the Congress since 1993, brings a historical perspective to many of the issues discussed. He spoke of proposals in the past to privatize Social Security. “Had we done that, can you imagine what would have happened to Social Security during the stock market of recent years?”

Speakers brought the message home to seniors. Kathy Dunphy, director from National Government Services (the contractor that handles all Medicare issues) spoke about the new benefits that Medicare enrollees would gain from the new health care bill

Dunphy also warned that healthy, working seniors often wait too long to enroll in Medicare. Then when they need it they may have to wait months without coverage. Ways of simplifying enrollment through internet signup were stressed, although with the local Social Security office nearby (809 Grant Avenue, Lake Katrine, NY 12449), visiting the office is also an option. Especially after hearing from Ed Sarkies, a Field Representative from SSA in Lake Katrine. Sarkies has been with SSA since 1966 when Medicare started.

Sarkies provided practical information for the assembled seniors: when to sign up for Medicare, the Medicare Prescription Drug plan and the Extra Help feature for lower income people.

Ronnie Hauser from National Government Services and MaryJo DeForest of the Ulster County Office for the Aging were also on hand to help seniors with specific questions after the forum. Several attendees kept the forum participants “after school” for one-on-one sessions to answer individual questions.

For video coverage of the forum from YNN.com, click here

In the picture to the left, Congressman Hinchey listens to concerns over Veteran Benefits and how senior Vets are affected as expressed by Joe Vanacore, a World War II vet.

Pictured above right, Congressman Hinchey at the podium with a partial shot of the Community Room at The Birches at Chambers.

Sharp Hinchey Aide Foils Medicare Scam

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

Carmel Wilson, who works as an aide to Rep. Maurice Hinchey in his Middletwon office, was one of the first people to notice the proliferation of Medicare recipients complaining of procedures they said they never received, in places they had never been.

Photo credit: STEVE BORLAND/Times Herald-Record

By Stephen Sacco

Times Herald-Record 10/15/2010

MIDDLETOWN — Right made might in the three-year hunt to get to the bottom of who was responsible for absurdly suspicious Medicare charges that began to appear on medical statements of people in the Hudson Valley in 2007.
A modest public servant and Orange County mother of two played a huge role in bringing down what the FBI says is an international crime organization that bilked Medicare out of millions with bogus claims.
Carmel Wilson, a longtime aide to Rep. Maurice Hinchey who works in his Middletwon office, was one of the first people to notice the proliferation of Medicare recipients coming into her office with charges for procedures they said they never received in places they had never been – like California or Arizona.
118 sham clinics
On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney General unsealed two indictments, charging 44 alleged members and associates of an Armenian-American crime organization with Medicare fraud.
Wilson provided information used against 40 of the defendants, according to officials in Hinchey’s office. The mobsters worked out of New York City and Los Angeles, but many of the identities used for the claims likely were obtained from a 2005 data breach at Orange Regional Medical Center, authorities said. Hospital spokesman Rob Lee said the hospital has reached out to law enforcement officials to help them determine if the breach occurred within the hospital or at another site.
The FBI said Armenian mobsters billed more than $163 million in false claims to Medicare, making this the largest, single Medicare fraud case in history. Medicare paid out over $35 million in U.S. taxpayer money to at least 118 sham clinics in 25 states, according to the indictment.
Wilson is a shy, sweet woman with short red hair who roots for the Mets. She says she loves her job as a liaison between ordinary folks and the federal government because she can help so many people. Before working for Hinchey she worked for former Rep. Ben Gilman.
She’s an unlikely candidate for striking a blow against what the FBI says is a Mafia-like organization complete with a Tony Soprano-like boss, called a vor, which is roughly the equivalent of a Mafia godfather, who once threatened to “disembowel” a man who owed him money and to kill an associate who failed to show him proper respect.
Wilson goes to FBI
Wilson, nevertheless, relentlessly documented each suspicious billing incident. Then she would send out letters with the support of her boss to both the Medicaid fraud division and the Medicare billing contractor.
Since states usually contract their Medicare billing out to other states — New York’s billing is done in Minnesota, for instance — there was a fair amount of red tape involved.
When Wilson didn’t see enough movement to resolve the issue, she contacted the FBI.
Warren Smith of Middletown says he estimates about $50,000 was billed under his name in fraudulent claims. At first, he tried to report the fraud to Medicare himself. “Have you ever called Medicare?” Smith asked. “You wait forever.”
Medicare asked Smith to contact the provider to see if it was a clerical error. It was pretty hard to contact nonexistent clinics, he said.
Frustrated he turned to Wilson. Subsequently, he was involved in the FBI investigation. “I was glad to learn about the indictments,” Smith, 76, said. “(Wilson) is awesome.”

Esopus senior housing project up for award

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Published: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 ESOPUS — The Birches at Esopus is one of three developments financed by state of New York housing agencies* to be named finalists in Affordable Housing Finances’ sixth annual Reader’s Choice Awards.

The Birches at Esopus is the first affordable housing community for senior citizens in the town of Esopus and provides 80 energy-efficient apartments for low-income seniors. Units are accessible to people with disabilities, and the development includes outdoor and community space, craft and media rooms, an exercise studio and an on-site nursing program, which provides services like physical and speech therapy, health and wellness programs and health aides.

Nationwide, 33 projects were chosen from 140 nominations on the criteria of community impact, cost-effective or innovative design or construction, and energy-efficient and sustainable development.

The other New York finalists are the Atlantic Avenue Residence, a 107-unit development in Brooklyn; and the 24-unit Nelson Hopkins Apartments, the Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired, in Lockport, near Buffalo.

The winners will be announced at the 2010 Affordable Housing Developer’s Summit in November in Chicago. Photo and asterick information added for website.

* nyhomes and DHCR (Division of Housing & Community Renewal)

Central Hudson’s Almanac Salutes Birchez’ Green Affordable Commitment

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

August 20, 2010: Paul Tesoro, Director of Communications for Central Hudson, hosts a daily broadcast called Almanac aired on multiple Hudson Valley radio stations. We were pleased that he featured The Birches at Chambers and The Birches at Esopus in today’s broadcast. Paul highlighted the amenities that our communities offer and how they contribute to the quality of life for our residents. In addition, the broadcast covered the green aspects that ultimately contribute not only to health but also affordability. To listen to the broadcast, click here (it takes a moment for the intro to kick in).

A Chat with Marie Shultis, First President of The Residents’ Club at The Birches at Esopus

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

In July 2010, Rochester-native Marie Shultis finished her yearlong stint as the president of the Residents’ Club at The Birches at Esopus. Shultis worked as a team with vice president Ruth Rosu, and together the pair was able to get the first year of the building’s residents’ club off to a rousing start.

“Our goal was really to bring the residents together and to establish different programs and events that they could participate in,” says Shultis, “and we did do that over the course of a year.”

Having been founded in the summer of 2009, the club can now count over half of The Birches at Esopus’s population as members, having reached their fiftieth member in June 2010. Throughout the year, the club has hosted events to allow the community’s residents to get to know each other and participate in fun activities. The first such event was participating in the Town of Esopus Fall Festival.

“The whole town could have yard sales,” says Marie, “and so everyone here was interested in having a yard sale. Well, since it’s a secure building, it poses a problem for us to have a yard sale inside here. So in speaking with Steve and Judy Aaron about this one day when they were visiting, I voiced our desire to have a yard sale. And so, Judy says, ‘how about a tent?’ And so they very graciously put a huge tent out here in the parking area, and tables for those residents who wanted to sell their personal items.”

Marie says that the sale was a “huge success,” allowing residents to sell their items, as well as the sale of baked goods and items that were donated to the club for sale. In fact, Marie says that the baked goods table was an even hotter seller than the tables without food. “It was a winner—it was really fantastic,” she says.

The money raised went back into the club’s coffers, which, in addition to the $2 monthly dues paid by members, was able to fund other events and get-togethers for the club’s members. From pot lucks and Wintertime Comfort Food dinners, as well as their subsequent Leftover Lunches, Marie says that the club has tried to host at least one event a month.

One particularly memorable event for Marie concerned the local volunteer firefighters who make routine visits to The Birches at Esopus.

“The firemen are always visiting us, because, unfortunately, there are escapades like burnt toast and things like that occurring,” says Marie. “ Ruth and I felt it would be nice if we did something for the firemen, so we had a dinner especially for the firemen, and they could bring their wives – many of whom are members of the auxiliary – if they wished.

“They enjoyed themselves, and they said, ‘you know, no one ever does anything like this for us,’ and it made us feel good to know that we had done that for them. So we have a link there, as well as a link with the town with the yard sale.” Marie says she hopes that the club will keep hosting the dinner annually, though the decision won’t be up to her when she and Ruth pass the batons to the new officers.

Besides simply hosting these monthly events, the Residents’ Club is responsible for the twice-weekly Bingo games in the building’s community room, as well as the holiday-themed decorations that fill the community room each month, a result that came about with a combination of “Ruth’s creativity and the dollar store,” says Marie with a laugh.

And Marie is adamant about the fact that the club’s initiatives and strides weren’t her achievements alone—rather, she and Ruth Rosu accomplished it all together.

“I really want to emphasize that we were a team,” she says of her partnership with Ruth. “And it’s a large undertaking—one person can’t do it alone, can’t come up with all the ideas and whatnot. You need another individual who has ideas. I’m very lucky, because Ruth is very artistic, and she’s very creative. It was a team effort. I never knew Ruth before I moved here. We just kind of clicked. That happens sometimes.”

For profiles and stories about and by our residents, visit the Our Stories tab of each community.

Brian Rubin for Birchez Associates, birchezassociates@gmail.com

Low-income senior housing planned

Monday, July 26th, 2010

HVBiz June 25, 2010 by Terra Thompsen

Affordable independent living for low-income seniors is the aim of a proposed $15.4 million development slated to be built on the property of the Elant-owned nursing facility in Beacon.

The project, called The Birches of Fishkill, would provide housing for seniors age 62 and older who are at 50 percent or less of median income. The facility would offer residents the prospect of independent living outside full-time nursing homes.

“It’s a real opportunity for a chance of community and a chance of a home within the communities these seniors have lived in their whole lives,” said Steve Aaron, managing member of Kingston-based Birchez Associates LLC.

The facility is to be built on the present Elant property at 22 Robert R. Kasin Way off Route 9D in Beacon. Elant at Fishkill partnered with Birchez Associates for the development of this facility and to provide health care in the communities they already serve.

The facility would provide 62 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors. The cost of buying into the community had not yet been determined.

The main building will consist of apartments, amenities and nursing offices. Two separate cottage-style buildings will provide for more apartments. All 72 apartments will be handicapped-accessible and meet the standards set forth by the American With Disabilities Act.

Amenities will include a theater, media room, community room, game room and a library.

Registered nurses and athletic trainers on the premises will provide care weekly with no additional charge to residents.
“We continue to push the envelope to provide amenities that make this home,” Aaron said.

The facility’s design is also intended to provide energy efficiency to reduce costs. A similar design at The Birches of Esopus in Ulster County was awarded a 2010 New York State Energy Research and Development Agency’s Award for Excellence.

“There are certainly not many models of affordable independent living in the country,” Aaron said.

Currently there is demand in the Fishkill community for 1,169 units of independent senior living apartments based on the waiting lists for similar facilities. The Birches at Fishkill would ease this demand, Aaron said.

The project recently was awarded $1.4 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of America and its member Rhinebeck Savings Bank.

The grant will help fund the construction, which is expected to begin in the fall pending final approvals.