Baptist Health Teams Up with Belmont Village on Luxury Senior Living Project

An inevitable part of aging includes both physical and cognitive decline. Mental health experts say this can be coupled with feelings of frustration, loneliness and depression resulting from decreased mobility, increased dependence on others, and the loss of loved ones and friends. Living arrangements can be problematic, too, as can transportation to and from grocery shopping, medical appointments and other necessities.

Seeking to address these and other challenges faced by many people in their golden years, Baptist Health partnered with one of the nation’s premier senior housing providers in a unique collaboration coming to Coral Gables this fall. Belmont Village Senior Living, the project’s developer, calls it “an all-encompassing, holistic senior housing community” offering residents “five-star hospitality and best-in-class health care, all under one roof.”

Belmont Village Coral Gables is a 10-story building with 200-plus apartments, nearing completion at 4111 Salzedo Street, just steps away from the Shops at Merrick Park, says Patricia Will, founder and CEO of Belmont Village Senior Living. A typical resident at Belmont Village Coral Gables, she says, is “someone in their 80s who enjoys a vibrant and comfortable environment that supports their care needs and enhances their quality of life.”

The beauty of Belmont Village Coral Gables, says Mrs. Will, is that it accommodates all types of living needs under one roof – independent living, assisted living and memory care. “Even though a resident’s needs may progress over time, they are able to age in place and receive the care they need through every phase of life,” she says.

Proven programs for mitigating cognitive decline

According to Amy Exum, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor and Community Health manager for Baptist Health, seniors are especially vulnerable to developing depression and dementia.

“Globally, depression and dementia are some of the most common mental health diagnoses faced by seniors,” Mrs. Exum says. “Grief and loss can be especially challenging for the older generation. They can experience a loss in independence, physical capability and friendships – cumulative losses which can lead to higher levels of stress and an increase in health issues.”

According to Mrs. Will, Belmont Village Coral Gables offers a proven program to mitigate cognitive decline that is research- and evidence-based. She is particularly proud of the success of Belmont Village’s innovative memory and brain fitness program, Circle of Friends®, which she says received national recognition from George Mason University and Argentum, the leading national organization of senior living companies.

Social engagement and in-house clinical care

Belmont Village was founded to provide a way for seniors to lead happy, self-directed lives in a supporting community, one that offers good value and has been designed from the ground up to be sensitive to senior living, says Mrs. Will.

“We are guided by leading university experts in the fields of gerontology, architecture, hospitality and dining, and healthcare. We have also used input from seniors and their families as a blueprint for community and program development.”

Mrs. Will adds that community living with a robust calendar of activities such as those offered at Belmont Village Coral Gables provides a socialization aspect that is difficult to achieve at home. This, in turn, can offer physical and mental health benefits, too, she points out.

“In our programs, we often see improvement as residents become engaged and their depression begins to lift. Also, just being surrounded by other older adults can develop a network of support to help combat fear of aging, which is not at all uncommon.”

Access to quality health care is also an important consideration for the elderly, says Mrs. Will, stressing that one’s mental health is closely connected to their physical health. “Our residents appreciate the convenience and peace of mind that comes with in-house clinical care provided by one of the region’s most respected names in health care,” she says.

Live Healthy by Baptist Health, located on the ground floor of Belmont Village Coral Gables, will offer services to help preserve optimal lifetime health, says Mrs. Will. “This includes access to Baptist Health practitioners, wellness programs and telehealth appointments,” she says.

A unique senior living experience in the heart of Coral Gables

Belmont Village Coral Gables offers a wide range of amenities designed to help maximize residents’ comfort, convenience and lifestyle. These include upscale, restaurant-style dining; a resort-style pool and deck; a concierge with free scheduled transportation; and a professionally managed Fitness Center with wellness programs and physical, occupational and speech therapies.

This new location underscores Baptist Health’s focus on bringing its brand of quality, compassionate health care to residents of South Florida, whenever and wherever they need it, says a senior executive with the health system, which owns 12 hospitals from Palm Beach County to the Florida Keys.

“Baptist Health and Belmont Village share a common goal of providing high-quality and compassionate care for the community,” says the health system’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer, Ana Lopez-Blazquez. “This project allows us to offer an entirely unique senior living experience in the heart of Coral Gables; one where locals can experience the very best in wellness support without having to leave the comfort of their home. We couldn’t be more excited and look forward to welcoming in our future residents.”