Asbury, Maryland
Asbury Methodist Village
Project Selection
The Asbury Methodist Village may contain a number of the following features but it has been identified by the Steering Committee specifically because it:
| Mixes people from diverse socio economic levels | |
| Caters to a range of age groups | |
| Offers a diversity in service types | |
| Employs community engagement in the development process | |
| Is an innovative model designed to accommodate ageing in place | Y |
| Provides housing options for a particular population groups | |
| Has undertaken conversions and/or changes of use of existing facilities | |
| Uses mixed financial funding bases | |
| Has demonstrable Environmentally Sustainable Design features |
The following project description combines information gathered from the Asbury website www.asbury.org and prior visits to Asbury Methodist Village by project ACSA staff member Lesley Dredge and consultant Roland Naufal.
Why is Asbury an innovative project?
Asbury Methodist Village claims mind, body and spirit wellbeing as a focus of their marketing process and resident services.
Project Overview
Founded in 1926, the Asbury Methodist Village has a strong focus on wellbeing in later life. It offers assisted living, skilled nursing and independent living on a 130-acre campus with 1300 residents.
Built Environment
The Asbury Methodist Village (AMV) is set over 130 acres and includes 74 villas, more than 700 apartments, 133 assisted living suites and 285 licensed nursing care accommodations.
Villas are offered as two or three bedroom one-level homes while apartments provide a choice of studio or one to three bedroom floor plans. Both include 24-hour security and kitchens, with the option of a flexible dining plan.
The Park View apartments are the largest in the community, located near the Rosborough Cultural Arts and Wellness Center. The apartments were designed with the input of architects, Asbury’s planners and the input of residents’ opinions and ideas.
The nearby Rosborough Center is designed to help seniors remain physically active, stay connected to others, and engage in cultural and other pursuits which help foster well-being and contentment. It includes a 60 x 40 foot indoor pool, fitness area with strength and cardiovascular equipment, indoor walking track, 300-seat theatre, TV station, and a wide array of classes, programs and events led by a team of wellness professionals.
Service Model
AMV brings together a diverse selection of resident choices, lifestyle options, services, health care and amenities to create an environment designed to meet the needs of a wide range of older people. AMV has a particular emphasis on wellness, helping older people to remain as healthy and active as possible while providing support as individual needs change over time.
The goal is to keep residents independent for as long as possible but when extra support is needed, AMV offers an accredited Assisted Living program. Each floor of the dedicated building is built on a neighborhood concept with dining and activity space, and suites which range from 400 to more than 600 square feet featuring individual kitchenettes. Help with mobility, bathing, dressing and medication monitoring is available as needed.
A 285-bed Skilled Care facility is also available for short or long term care, proving the complete spectrum of nursing and rehabilitation services for people aged 60 and older. Specialised care is offered for people with memory-related disorders.
The Dementia Special Care Unit provides personal security as well as professional care and comfort for body, mind and spirit to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia-related disorders.
Residents’ wellbeing is also supported by the Keese School of Continuing Education. Since 1978, this entirely resident-run program has been a rich source of mental stimulation and intellectual growth. The current Keese School catalog lists more than 100 upcoming classes, lectures and on- and off-site events.
Funding Sources
AMV units are sold on a life-lease basis and residents are charged service fees. Since 1992, total resident revenue for Asbury Communities has grown as the number of communities within the Asbury system increases, and expansion projects continue to open and provide additional sources for revenue and liquidity.
In 2008, $1.84 million USD was donated to AMV through the Asbury Foundation to provide benevolent care including discounted fees and payment of certain expense for residents who have exhausted their assets.
Target Audience
Residents are typically couples around the age of 75-78 who are retired but still active. AMV provides a full spectrum of care which caters for people needing all levels of support though the village’s focus on wellness aims to attract people who are are wanting to be part of a community which will offer them opportunities to engage with others.
