Where Life-Care and Lifestyle
Go Hand-in-Hand Photos provided by El Castillo
G
etting older is full of “whatifs”; it’s hard to know what will happen to each of us as we age. At the same time, our senior years should be some of the best in our life, filled with leisure, learning and lots of fun. That’s why it’s important to select a retirement community that can provide for your health and your social milieu. Here in Santa Fe, El Castillo offers the best of both worlds. El Castillo is the only continuing care retirement community in northern New Mexico. That means residents can move into an independent apartment and then, if necessary, take advantage of the assisted living, nursing and memory care
services. This kind of care is unparalleled in the city. It gives seniors the option to have the security of knowing their longterm care is assured. “Most of our residents and prospective residents this day and age look at us as a life care community,” explains CEO Al Jahner. “We are an organization that offers a full range of housing, social opportunities, wellness and health care in order to serve our residents as their needs change over time. That’s why it’s called life care.” The memory care facility has been added only in the past year. El Castillo purchased its neighboring building, which
was Mayor Valdez’ ancestral home, and remodeled it into 11 memory care units. “With more diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and dementia, it’s of concern for most seniors. The fact that we have added a memory care building has greatly helped with peace of mind,” says Jahner. El Castillo’s gorgeous facility is just off of Alameda. The Santa Fe River runs close by, and it’s so well nestled in greenery one might miss it if it wasn’t on one’s radar. “Location is key for us,” notes Jahner. “Even though we’re the only ones who provide the levels of care we do, we’re also the only ones downtown. All of our residents have the ability to drive or even walk to all kinds of activities.”