GROWING IN INDEPENDENCE

GROWING IN

INDEPENDENCE

Bloomhaven, a new community for senior living and adults with disabilities, opens this summer in Aurora

By Louise Treeny Photos and renderings provided by Weston Bridges

After nearly four years of construction, the Bloomhaven campus is set to open this summer. The facility is the first of its kind. It brings together a retail space and independent living for both individuals with disabilities and senior citizens, separated by floors but with plenty of opportunities for interaction.

Three components make up the 300,000-square-foot campus, which is situated in southern Aurora on the site of the former Copley Hospital. On the first and second floors, you’ll find 42,000 square feet of medical offices and retail space. Above that is four floors for Weston Bridges, which is composed of 53 apartments and an abundance of communal space, forming a independenceoriented community for adults with disabilities. Next door is Bardwell Residences, a new facility with around 100 units for senior living, assisted living and memory care. The campus also includes a 1-acre park — complete with splash pad — run by Fox Valley Park District.

INDEPENDENCE

No known campus in the U.S. is combining opportunities for adults with disabilities and senior living, says Becki Drake, the director of business development at Weston Bridges. Since construction started in 2018, the former hospital campus has seen an “amazing transformation,” she says, which has in turn lifted up the entire surrounding community.

 BARDWELL RESIDENCES The Bardwell Residences has nearly 100 units, ranging from studios to twobedroom apartments.

The focus is on “providing residents with love, compassion and dignity,” says Rick Banas, vice president of development for Gardant Management Solutions. Gardant manages more than 40 senior living communities throughout Illinois, including the Bardwell Residences.

Adults can choose from three levels of care based on their needs: independent apartments that provide opportunities for meals and socialization; assisted living apartments for those who need help with medications, three meals a day and other services; and memory care apartments for residents with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. Staff are available 24/7, and laundry, housekeeping and wellness activities are also included. The community will provide a “unique, holistic experience for our residents,” says Jacki O’Keefe, regional director of operations for Gardant.

Tours and meetings with staff to see if Bardwell is a potential fit will be available soon. You can also call 630892-5790 for more details.

 WESTON BRIDGES Weston Bridges provides an independent apartment community for individuals with intellectual, cognitive and/or developmental disabilities.

“This will provide high quality of life in all domains,” says Blake Cline, lead support coach. “What brought me to the project was the concept of developing a community for individuals with disabilities."

Support coaches will help residents with daily community and domestic tasks, with the goal of becoming as selfsufficient as possible. Weston Bridges’ motto is “Independent, together,” emphasizing the way the facility will bring together independent living and the community parts that can be missed when living at home.

Residents will eat breakfast and dinner together and can hang out in common spaces for recreation, laundry, art projects, games, physical fitness, relaxation and more. Residents are

encouraged to either work, volunteer or take classes in the community; Weston Bridges will even provide transportation within a 20-minute radius.

“Downtown Aurora has so much to offer,” Drake says, noting the facility is working with the wider community on activities and job opportunities.

Family and friends are encouraged to visit; there’s more than enough room in the available onebedroom and studio apartments for catching up. The apartments include an open-concept kitchenette, Wi-Fi, utilities, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of green space, accessible bathroom and two closets. “Each unit is designed to foster independence, while staff provides support as needed on an individual basis,” according to Weston Bridges.

Security will also be on hand 24/7 to ensure safety for everyone. “Seeing their excitement to live somewhere safe and secure … It’s really just so neat,” Drake says.

Executive director Andy Hubble spent nearly 25 years in special education. He came out of retirement to be at the helm of Weston Bridges, which he refers to as his legacy project. “As a parent of a child with autism, and with a wife who teaches special needs children, I feel I have an obligation to continue to serve these populations for as long as I can,” Hubble writes in his newsletter introduction. “Weston Bridges gives me that opportunity!”

Drake admires Hubble for his passion and experience in the industry.

“Passion is what makes this project so unique,” she says.

 WESTON BRIDGES 323 Weston Ave., Aurora 630-892-5762 www.westonbridges.com or Weston Bridges on Facebook

 BARDWELL RESIDENCES 301 Weston Ave., Aurora 630-892-5790 www.gardant.com/bardwellresidences

INTERESTED IN SEEING IF THIS WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER?

At our innovative, one-of-a-kind campus, we are trailblazing transformation for all phases of life. Our interconnected campus has three pillars – Bardwell Senior Living Residences, Weston Bridges, and easily accessible commercial and medical space dedicated to education and wellness. On a large greenspace that brings people closer, community and care are our cornerstones and growth is our goal. Weston Bridges

Weston Bridges is a safe and secure independent apartment community for adult individuals with intellectual, cognitive and/or developmental disabilities with low support needs. Weston Bridges is more than just a place to live – it’s a place to thrive. Contact Weston Bridges to learn more about our independent community living. 323 Weston Ave., Aurora | 630-892-5762 | www.westonbridges.com

Bardwell Residences

Bardwell Residences is the choice for senior living, assisted living and memory care. At Bardwell Residences, you’ll enjoy friendly neighbors to share common life experiences and an active community full of choices. The emphasis is on lifestyle and fun while maintaining your health, wellness, dignity and independence at Bardwell Residences. When you need a helping hand or personal attention to do the activities you may no longer be able to do safely on your own, our courteous and caring staff is always ready to assist you. Contact Bardwell Residences to learn more about our senior living community. 301 Weston Ave., Aurora | 630-892-5790 | www.bardwellresidences.com