More than just a lifestyle, Kivel creates a life.
One of the facts of life is that we all get older. Whether you are looking at your own end-of-life plans or those of your parents, grandparents or other loved ones, you know that you want to move into these golden years with dignity and respect. Life doesn’t end at 65, and most of us have many more decades to laugh, love and live. Kivel, a senior-care facility with locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale, has distinguished itself as a haven for older adults to enjoy their final years while continuing to live each moment to its fullest potential.
Founded in 1958, Kivel has become a cornerstone of the community. The campus provides both independent senior and assisted living facilities, enabling adults 62 and older to engage fully in their retirement at one of 245 individual apartments in Phoenix and a 10-bed home in Scottsdale. Kivel is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and is a member of the American Association of Homes for the Aging and the Association of Jewish Aging Services. They are also partnered with Hospice of the Valley.
Retire in Style in Phoenix
When retirement age arrives, many are at a loss as to what to do. Partner a house that’s too big and empty with extra time on your hands and you often end up with boredom. For older adults who wish to go no farther than their front porch to find entertainment and activities, Kivel offers studio and one-bedroom apartments that enable residents to live worry-free. Members of the community are even welcome to bring their small pets to keep them company, and each apartment features basic cable television for entertainment and a 24-hour emergency call system plus automatic fire alarm for safety.
When residents at Kivel need more support in their daily lives, assisted living is the answer. In addition to the services included with the senior living program, residents in studio and one-bedroom apartments have access to professional staff who will manage medications and provide bathing and dressing assistance, and even perform housekeeping and laundry services.
Many residents at Kivel are enrolled in the dining program and can shop at the mini-mart for in-between snacks. Lounge areas, a library, and a computer center keep them connected to other residents as well as loved ones near and far. Security patrols the campus in the evenings to assist residents and monitor activity.
In addition to all of the services one might expect at a senior residence, Kivel has created its own sustainable community. Residents don’t have to leave the campus to get a haircut, stop by the bank (Chase), get an eye or dental exam, or do laundry. Convenience abounds, even for those who are no longer able to drive themselves across town.
A Mission of Dignity
When Kivel opened more than half a century ago, it was with a mission in mind: to provide a community that supports and upholds the dignity and autonomy of senior adults so that they may realize their optimum human potential. It is that creed that is carried on today by all of the staff at Kivel, and it is embodied in the person of Ira Shulman, Kivel’s president and CEO.
“We have worked diligently to build a supportive, loving community here on campus. It is all about creating a life for our residents, not just a lifestyle,” shares Shulman. And a lifestyle is so much more than having three well-balanced meals each day and a warm bed at night.
Shulman hires only caring professionals who embrace the campus’ focus on empowering residents and continuing their independence. Too many times, we hear in the papers and on the evening news how adult children have placed their aging adults in senior facilities, only to leave them sitting alone in a dark room on a quiet hall. Kivel offers a striking alternative to that mere existence. Staff members here honor the experiences residents bring to campus and encourage them to stay active as they celebrate each birthday.
Scheduled to open on Dec. 1, Kivel’s new memory care unit will enable 15 residents to enjoy assisted living in individual apartments on the Phoenix campus. This new facility provides the special care needed by seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, supporting them with compassion. The unit was funded in part by a HUD grant and features both individual rooms and a community living area.
Kivel has thought of everything that goes into creating happiness and purpose for their residents as they age. After all, “independent living” is part of what they offer. If seniors choose to remain active in their golden years, there’s nothing holding them back at Kivel. They can participate in religious services, off-site expeditions, fitness classes, bingo, Wii games, music, varied entertainment, monthly birthday parties, and even Spanish classes. For some, living may just begin at Kivel!
Expanding Their Reach
In addition to the Phoenix campus, Kivel now has created a unique group-home experience in North Scottsdale. This premier facility provides 10 residents with spacious rooms featuring en suite ADA showers, in addition to communal spaces and an on-site beauty salon. Unlike Kivel’s other residences, which are HUD-subsidized, the Retreat at Desert Cove rooms are available at market value, opening up a whole new market for Kivel, as well as wider options for seniors. This facility is also licensed for memory care.
Melanie and Hilton Efune built this state-of-the-art home specifically to meet the needs of seniors who need assisted living services and want to live in beautiful surroundings. The Efunes considered the creation of this home to be a part of the family’s mission for the Jewish community, which is why they were excited to sell it to Kivel.
A significant portion of the funding for the purchase of the Retreat at Desert Cove was provided by the Kivel Auxiliary, which has always played an important role in providing extra and special services to the residents of Kivel. Several years ago, the Auxiliary sold the thrift shop it owned and operated and has allowed the use of those funds to go toward the purchase of this new home.
Building a Community
While the leaders at Kivel have done an admirable job in building an on-campus community, they are also focused on bringing in others to expand their reach and, thus, enhance residents’ experience. “Some of our members don’t have family nearby,” Shulman says. “And it means so much to them to have visitors and conversation with new and different people.”
To that end, Kivel welcomes volunteers who come to campus to spend time with the residents, whether just to hold a hand, read a book, or teach a class. Volunteers help with events and off-site trips as well.
Get Involved
If you’d like to be a part of the Kivel experience, it’s easy to do so. You can learn more about Kivel by visiting kivelcare.org, or you can call 602-443-8039 to schedule a tour. For information regarding the Scottsdale home, visit livingattheretreat.com or call 602-314-4005. If you’re considering moving yourself or a loved one to one of the facilities, a caring and compassionate staff member will share with you all of the available accommodations and services. And if you’d like to give back as a volunteer, that is definitely an option that will be appreciated for years to come.
