Business spotlight: Casa Aldea will provide upscale senior living

North Coast seniors looking for an assisted living and memory care facility that mixes upscale and vibrant, with the latest technology and a smaller, family-style feel won’t have to search any longer.

Casa Aldea Senior Living, which embodies all of those qualities and more, is expected to open in early 2017 next to the Santaluz community and golf course.

Owned by Aldea Partners, a group that also owns a facility in University City for seniors who need a little less care, the new facility will be managed by Integral Senior Living (ISL), which is headquartered in Carlsbad and managing around 60 facilities in more than 10 states.

Casa Aldea will offer 47 assisted living apartments and 17 apartments in the secured memory care area. All residents have access to 24-hour onsite nursing in addition to a large care staff.

Incoming residents, who start at age 60 in most cases, can be independent — and some care is included in the base pricing — but the idea for Casa Aldea is that they can offer more care as needed (including hospice) so seniors don’t need to move to a new place if their situation changes.

“They can truly age in place,” said Executive Director Tiffany Yin. “In terms of the amenities and the staff, we are going to have a very high expectation of customer service. We plan to give our residents an experience unlike any other.”

Those amenities — which are in addition to the beautiful atmosphere provided by the two-story building with architecture influenced by Mediterranean and California styles — include a full-time concierge; 24-hour receptionist; gym; clubhouse with pool table; large theater for live performances or movies; full salon and spa; simple but upscale apartments (think granite counter tops and high-end bathrooms) and a large garden area. The garden area is beautifully landscaped with walking paths, a gazebo, raised planters for resident gardening and even bocce ball and a putting green.

And then there is the food.

Casa Aldea will offer ISL’s award-winning Dining by Design program, with anytime dining at both a restaurant and a more casual bistro/bar area, as well as outdoor dining and a private dining area available for parties. Additionally, there will be an extensive 24-hour room service program.

The food will be courtesy of Chef Rene Cota, who has 30 years of experience providing fine dining at senior facilities.

“He is amazing,” Yin said. “(Other facilities) were very sad that we got him.”

Built with the environment in mind, Casa Aldea will utilize solar power and has an energy-star certification to guarantee the lowest carbon footprint currently possible. It is also being built with technology in mind. Not only will it use the most up-to-date current technology, but it has been set up to easily advance with the times.

Seniors and their families can reserve apartments now, and those that pre-lease will become members of the Casa Aldea charter club, which will come with bonuses such as financial concessions, welcome gifts and invitations to special events.

But even non-charter members will feel like they are part of a family with only 64 total residents.

“It will appeal to residents that want the resort-style feel and the customer service and the food and all of that, but they don’t want so much space,” Yin said. “We are more of a boutique-style community with all of the high-end feel.”

For more information, visit casaaldeaseniorliving.com.

- Business spotlights are developed through this newspaper’s advertising department in support of our advertisers.