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THE RESIDENCES IN WEST KENDALL Setting Higher Standards for Elder Residential Communities

United HomeCare Honors Miami's Community Champions

UNITED HOMECARE Transforming Senior Living Carlos Martínez

CEO, United HomeCare

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united homecare: transforming senior living Rebeca C. Trujillo

At first glance and from a business standpoint, senior “For the past 44 years, our close and constant contact living may not seem to be the most appealing topic. Howwith our clients on a daily basis,” explains Carlos Martínez, ever, with an estimated 440,287 adults aged 65 and older president and CEO of United Home Care, “has allowed us (roughly 16 percent) currently residing in Miami-Dade to garner detailed insights on our patients’ needs. This County, the baby boomer generation retiring at a pace of knowledge, together with our staff’s own sensibilities, 10,000 per day at a national level, and the fact that we are certainly came into play even in 2012, as UHC’s board of all heading, sooner or later, into those golden years, our directors began planning The Residences project.” families’ and community’s approach and preparedness to Also factored into the process was the first-hand knowlook after its older members makes this a vital issue. ledge of the advantages, deficiencies and inner workings of the assisted living industry.

Ready to discuss the matter is United HomeCare®, a “Our primordial vision for the Miami-based, non-profit, home focusing United HomeCare’s approach of project was that it had to raise the health and community care organization that has spent the last on the residents’ mental and physical bar, set higher standards regardsix years quietly planning and exwellness, nutrition and medications, ing quality of care and life,” he says. “We wanted the residents to ecuting a life changing project social interactions, and comprehensive age in a positive environment that —and is now stepping into the supervision of their overall wellbeing afforded them not only the best spotlight to unveil The Residences —all of which reduce health crises and care and lifestyle possible, but of United HomeCare, an imposing, full service assisted living facility help contain hospital stays and medical most importantly, treated them in West Kendall. care expenditures, as well as create jobs with dignity and respect.”

Visitors to The Residences of in the community— makes great United HomeCare, located at 9355 economic sense, too.

S.W. 158th Avenue, next to BapCaring for older adults is in United HomeCare’s tist’s West Kendall Hospital, can attest to the DNA. Established in 1974 as a division of the United Way fact that this self-financed project, is a marvel. that assisted families in caring for elderly and disabled The Residences is a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified, 89,000 relatives, UHC is now a separate entity whose mission is square foot building with an elegant Mediterranean-style to help patients live at home independently. With more architectural design, boasting high ceilings, arched doorthan 850 employees providing over 17,000 hours of care ways and windows, which help create a bright and airy each week to nearly 3,500 clients across the county, it is the environment throughout the 4-floor structure. The first largest home health agency in South Florida. floor features impeccable, well-appointed common areas, Today, UHC remains an Impact Partner of United Way. as well as medical, social/recreational, fitness, and culinary

a place to age with dignity and respect

The Residences’ elegant reception area 6 MiamiEmpresarial

Playing bingo in the recreation hall

First floor living room with its arched doorways

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“Older adults have earned the right to be respected,” says Carlos Martínez, president and CEO of United HomeCare, who with ALF Administrator María M. Torre works closely with UHC’s dedicated staff to make Miami’s newest senior living community in West Kendall a place where its residents can age with dignity and respect.

dences of United HomeCare includes upscale features and facilities, connected by spacious, well-lit hallways. amenities, such as a Wellness/Fit“Every single detail has been ness center with instructormeticulously planned to provide With its state-of-the-art, LEED-certified, guided exercises; an in-house our residents the greatest comfort 89,000 square foot, 122-unit assisted beauty and barber shop; a library/ and convenience,” adds ALF Adliving facility in West Kendall, United technical center; a laundry facility; ministrator María M. Torre. “Our HomeCare is addressing the significant Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the living quarters, all 122 units, are building; social activities and spacious and private; several shortage in quality senior living were designed to accommodate accommodations in Miami-Dade County “happy hours” every Friday, with two individuals, mainly spouses, and proving that elderly care is a viable live music, wine and tapas.

The three daily meals are life partners or siblings who wish —and yes, lucrative— business prepared in the state-of-the-art to reside together.” proposition with a tremendous economic kitchen and served restaurantAnd again, in the spirit of comfort and convenience, The Residevelopment impact for the community. please turn to the next page >

Sharing with on-duty nursing team

Meticulous attention to detail at all times

Visiting with Chef in the state-of-the-art kitchen MiamiEmpresarial 7

tory cover story cover story cover story cover story cover story cover story cove style, à la carte in the dining room; room service is availis equipped with impact-resistant windows and doors able. Heart healthy snacks and beverages are offered at and other protective devices, and is deemed “storm safe.”

The Café throughout the day.

It is important to note that its strategic location adjacent “Every resident is pampered and cared for in a five-star, to Baptist Health’s West Kendall Hospital places the build‘resort-like’ manner,” emphasizes Carlos Martínez. “We ing in the same top-priority power grid to this primary take care of every aspect of life in The Residences.” care center; this ensures prompt response by Florida As the seniors partake in the day’s activities, the comPower & Light crews in case of a generalized loss of power. munity’s diligent housekeeping staff goes about its Should an outage occur, however, another vital safety business, keeping the common areas and the residents’ feature, a 400KW natural gas powered, industrial back-up rooms fresh and clean. Spotless. generator, sits ready to deliver power to the building’s Complete linen and laundry service is also provided. electrical grid, rebooting its vital systems so major services And while centralized environmental controls maintain —like air conditioning, food service, and communications the common areas at a pleasant can be restored. temperature, the living quarters “As a region, we’re facing have their own individually conserious competition from Arizona, trolled heat and air conditioner; Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas Developing The Residences of this way, residents may adjust the for the new retirees. Florida, and United HomeCare project and now thermostat to their heart’s conspecifically Miami, must up the successfully operating the senior tent as they enjoy basic cable TV living facility is proving to be quite and telephone service in the privaante in the form of offerings: access an experience for Carlos Martínez, cy of their rooms. to quality education and healthcare his team and the UHC board of Residents do not have to rely on and a robust labor market to be directors. outside means of transportation for competitive and set ourselves “Heading into this venture, we doctors’ appointments, to go shopahead of the other Sunbelt states.” knew there was a need and that ping, and attend other social engagesenior consumers would immediately welments. The Residences of United HomeCare come a project like ours,” he says. “But when you analyze also offers its residents complimentary transportation to the market and realize that there are approximately 50 destinations within a 10-mile radius in its clean and commillion senior citizens in the United States and 10,000 baby fortable, air-conditioned vehicles. boomers retiring every day, you cannot help but focus on the immense growth and business potential for our area.”

“We’re transforming senior living here on a daily basis, Keeping the residents and staff safe at all times has been a yes. But as a region, we’re facing serious competition from paramount concern for United HomeCare from day one.

Arizona, Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas for the new In addition to fulfilling the “green” or environmentally retirees. Florida, and specifically Miami, must up the ante ® friendly requirements for its LEED certification, the struc- in the form of offerings: access to quality education and ture was constructed in full compliance of Miami-Dade healthcare and a robust labor market to be competitive County’s building code, one of the strictest in the nation. It and set ourselves ahead of the other Sunbelt states.”

immense growth & business potential

an emphasis on safety

View from the west of The Residences of United HomeCare and its grounds 8 MiamiEmpresarial

Carlos Martínez, María Torre and outstanding team at The Residences