Alterra Wynwood of Northampton Manor is set in rural surroundings, but with easy access to major thoroughfares. Situated on several acres of land, the facility boasts walking paths and a beautiful gazebo. The building is composed of red brick and cream stucco with a black shingled roof. A small front patio is the perfect spot for residents to relax and chat. As we approached, several residents greeted us from their comfortable posts on the patio.
The facility is divided into five sections; all are named after bridges in the Bucks County area. Covered Bridge, the dementia unit on the ground floor, has a rehab room and a social nook for activities and conversing. Each section has a living room with a working fireplace, kitchen area and laundry room. An elegant dining room with high ceilings and wooden rafters instills country charm. Flowered drapes coordinate with the red and gold carpet and red plaid chairs. The second floor, painted mostly burgundy and gold, houses a small library, which doubles as a space for Shabbat services on Friday. A large auditorium allows for entertainment and educational seminars, including the AAA 55-Alive driving class.
Good-sized studios and one-bedroom apartments contain linen and storage closets. Residents are encouraged to decorate their own spaces. Many residents submit crafts to the local grange fair, and their work is showcased within the facility just outside the Gathering Place, a cozy communal place on the second floor. Residents use this space for other religious services and Friday happy hours. Other activities include chair exercises, kickball, bingo, trivia, cooking and baking classes and Jazzercise. The Alterra community participates in an ongoing celebration, “Legacies of a Lifetime,” which focuses on highlights of each decade of the twentieth century. Residents enjoy both a leisurely lifestyle as well as warm relationships with staff members and volunteers. Alterra Wynwood of Northampton Manor embodies this resident-centered philosophy: residents should be not only respected and well-cared for, but they should also demonstrably content with the facility’s services and environment.