Pueblo Norte Retirement Village in Scottsdale prides itself on what the residents describe as the feeling that when you come here, “You are truly coming home.” Kathleen Weber, director of sales and marketing, is proud to show off the three-decade-old campus and its neatly manicured grounds, which include a putting green, an Olympic-sized pool, a community dining facility and café, a popular gym and many other amenities.
The campus houses its own skilled nursing unit, which includes long- and short-term care; Pueblo Norte also has a relationship with more than 15 hospice programs. “We like to explain our services as ‘continuing care,’ ” explains Weber. “We have independent- living units that range from a one-bedroom apartment of about 670 square feet up to a deluxe apartment of almost 1,400 square feet. We offer Life Care estate programs, which allows people to start in the villas and takes them to assisted- and long-term care when or if needed. We have dining options, and, for those who don’t want to buy in, we have a rental plan as well.”
Weber wants everyone to know that they take great pride in making sure that the units are remodeled frequently. “I personally like to go in and gut the units and make sure the entire place is up to date and as new as possible for each person as they arrive.” Activities/Life Enrichment Director Jo Smith, who has been with Pueblo Norte for 21 years, says she schedules classes, entertainment and events for both the independent and the assisted-care sections. “My goal is to make sure I have five areas of interest covered: spiritual, social, cultural, physical and educational. I’m very proud of the fitness program that’s been built, and it’s very popular! Besides the usual gym, we have Zumba, water-based exercise classes, a hiking and walking group and so much more – and each one is full! Besides that, everyone loves the entertainment we bring in – music, movies, discussions and presentations on art and so much more! I like to take a survey among the residents, and we plan day trips as well as vacations. Recently, I booked an extended trip of nine days to Canada at Lake Louise. We regularly plan trips to the markets, malls, lunches and dinners. We go to the symphony and theaters too.”
Presently, 237 people call Pueblo Norte home; about 10-15% are Jewish. Residents Arlene and Beryl Dusky say that Smith and Human Resource’s Director Harve Kimmel (who facilitates the Jewish Life activities) do a great job of making sure their religious needs are met. “Linda Feldman and others, who are active at a local Hadassah, come in and hold a Shabbat twice a month. At Passover, we had our own seder and they make sure to have something for the High Holy Days as well,” says Arlene.
Kimmel says that while their kitchen is not equipped to offer kosher meals, a local provider brings in items in for holidays. “We’re thrilled that we have a relationship with Rabbi Levi Levertov and his Smiles on Seniors of Arizona by Chabad to help us with holiday presentations and discussion groups. For the High Holy Days, we are thankful that Beth Tefilah, an Orthodox Sephardic synagogue, shares this time with our residents. “Since most residents traditionally have the first and second night of Passover with their families, we hold our seder on the third night. I’ve led the ceremony in the past, but Beryl has also done a great job.”
While there are no formal Friday night or Saturday morning services, Smith and Weber say they are always willing to have a bus take a group if there’s enough interest. “Most of our residents go with family members or even still drive themselves.” Other events scheduled have been trips to the Jewish museum in downtown Phoenix, Jewish films and entertainment. The Dulskys, who have been residents for about a year and a half, jumped right into the lifestyle. Beryl says, “I came here kicking and screaming at first, but I think this is the best thing we ever did.” They are on the hospitality committee and not only do they enjoy the Jewish activities, they love the fitness center, walking trails, games and other social outings. Before making their choice, the couple considered eight other communities. Beryl adds, “This is the one. I love the layout, the staff is superb and it just feels like home.”
Gene Walker, who is on the activities committee and founded the Heads Up Men’s Club, has lived on the campus for a year. “I was widowed after my wife’s long illness and had moved in with my daughter for a bit. She took me to see three other places, but as soon as I saw the landscaping and facilities here and how Kathleen welcomed me without an appointment, I decided right then and there that this would make the perfect new home for me. I moved in three weeks later. I’m always busy and using the gym and walking trails. The staff is just fantastic. I love it here.”
Another activities committee member, Martha Jane McGarey, agrees with Walker. A resident for almost a year and a half, McGarey looked at six other places, but loved Pueblo Norte because it fit her active lifestyle. For couple Jean and Ken Lewin, after touring 35 other senior communities, it was
important for them to have an apartment that wasn’t small. Ken says, “I didn’t want to live in a small box. We’re active people and we love the exercise classes, the doctors here are great and they’re right here!” Jean agrees, “I’m always taking Zumba or on the putting green. In fact, I’m missing my tai chi class right now!”
The Dulskys summed up their neighbors’ feelings and advice about the place they call home, “What brought us here was the staff, the amenities and that once here, all of our needs are truly being met. Jo is always asking us what we’d like to do and then actually putting it on the activities schedule.”
Smith says one reason everyone mentions the wonderful staff is because the employees are truly like family. “I’ve been here for 21 years, Harve has been with us since 1988, our cleaning staff have all been here over 15 years. Some of the others have been here since we opened in 1984! That says something about how all of us feel about Pueblo Norte and everyone who lives here. We love them and they love us. Many similar communities can only dream of having the same people working for them for such an extended period of time.”
Kimmel adds, “For those of the Jewish faith, it’s important to have havurah – the getting together and being with one another – whether daily, weekly or once a month. And for everyone here, this is part of the nature of Pueblo Norte.” And those who live here have this piece of advice: “Look around, see what’s out there, that way when you arrive here, you will realize that you truly saved the best for last.”
Pueblo Norte | 7090 E. Mescal St., Scottsdale | 480-948-3990 | pueblonorteretirement.com
