*IMG_0051After years of planning and construction, the “legacy” officially has begun. Well, what we mean is that The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve, New Tampa’s first assisted living facility located on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in West Meadows, has opened. And it did so in style with a Grand Opening celebration and Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) ribbon-cutting on August 6.

In front of a crowd of hundreds, the Legacy staff cut the ribbon on the lavish, technologically advanced building with the capacity to house up to 88 seniors. The entire place was decked out in Caribbean cuisine catered by former New Tampa Rotary Club president (and current Assistant Governor of Rotary District 6890) and Chef Peter Gambacorta of Private Chef of Tampa. The event featured an island theme, complete with lei-adorned staff members, tropical birds, steel drum performers and even a reggae band.

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A joint effort between Houston, TX-based PinPoint Commercial, LP, and Thrive Senior Living, LLC (which is based in Atlanta, GA), The Legacy will offer care for both the elderly and those in need of memory care for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, with a focus on resident comfort and technology.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this and I know you have, too,” said The Legacy’s executive director Gwen Boumeester. “The community has welcomed us with open arms.”

Thrive president Tod Petty expressed his gratitude to the crowd.

“My heart is overwhelmed with joy to see the turnout that we’ve had tonight,” Petty said. “We’re so privileged to be part of this community.”

New Tampa resident and Dist. 63 State Rep. Shawn Harrison also came out to help welcome The Legacy to the neighborhood.

“New Tampa has always had traffic problems, but I’ve never seen traffic on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. backed up like it is right now,” Rep. Harrison said. “There’s been a lot of interest in this facility. We’re excited to have you here.”

PinPoint principal Charles Turner encouraged attendees to pay attention to everything in the building as they toured it. “Every single thing you see in this building serves a specific purpose,” Turner said. “It’s not just about the technology.”

However, the technology is pretty impressive. Even the presentation was given with a wireless mic that was connected to Legacy’s Wi-Fi network. In addition, the fitness center boasts state-of-the-art HUR fitness equipment, which seniors can activate with a touch of their radio-frequency ID wristbands. The wristbands also will alert the fitness machines to the user’s preferences and goals. With no weights or chains to struggle with, this equipment minimizes falls and injuries. The band, which they also can wear as a pendant, also functions as a room key.

Health providers also will use hand-held mobile devices, known as Point of Care Solutions, to electronically record all interactions with residents and even send electronic prescriptions to pharmacies. Cameras and 18 monitors will keep a watchful eye on public areas, and residents will be protected inside their suites with the Quiet Care System, a motion monitor that gets to know residents’ behavior and patterns, while still protecting their privacy. If something seems abnormal, the staff is alerted.

The feel of The Legacy is about as opposite as it could be to a traditional assisted living facility. As part of their all-inclusive package, residents are served three meals a day at the Palm Pavilion (think fine linens and menus), but they also can grab a snack from the Key Lime Bistro any time of the day or night, meet for a drink at the Hurricane Sports Bar, or book the Coconut Grove private dining room for a meal with visiting family. 

There’s also a full-service salon, game room, theatre, library, a putting green and a fitness center. Legacy residents will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) with oversight from licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

“It’s been really incredible to see this come together,” said Legacy community relations director Aarene Alessi. “We have a team that has a passion for serving seniors with a combined experience of more than 100 years.”

Alessi says that the facility already has started to fill up and that rooms are “going fast.”

The Legacy is now taking reservations for its 82 private, self-furnished suites. The five available floor plans range from 330-sq.-ft. studios to 525-sq.-ft. deluxe suites. 

For additional information, call 375-9858 or visit LegacyatHighwoodsPreserve.com.

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