Bethany Towers sits in an historic building that was an exclusive hotel in the 1930s. The facility, listed in the National Register of Historical Places is available as a location for shooting films. Seated at the foot of the Hollywood Hills, this gated community has a retro style. Flowers and ferns clutch the woodwork on the spacious front patio. We saw a number of residents socializing at the tables and chairs here. Tall palm trees line the busy street, which leads to various strip malls and plenty of restaurants. Residents love taking trips to these locations, as well as going on religious-themed outings regularly.
The interior is clean, organized and homey. Framed floral artwork lines the walls. The dining room faces the main entrance, welcoming guests with the hearty smell of home cooking. When we visited, residents were waiting in the living room for the first of two dinner sittings. The facility acknowledges that some residents may have busier schedules and, therefore, may find the first sitting too early. We met one resident who is 101; she attended dinner accompanied by her sweetheart, whom she met at Bethany Towers. Pastels and floral patterns permeate the dining room décor. Wooden tables are scattered to resemble a restaurant. Comfortable old couches and modern chairs face each other in the nearby lounge. The meditation room, with stained glass windows and dark wood embellishments, is peaceful and readily available.
Although the facility is licensed for 120 residents, the capacity is generally far lower so all residents can have private rooms. Most apartment doors are decorated. One resident artist draws cartoon characters on special occasions and birthday celebrations. Residents who served in the armed forces receive a Veterans Day badge to display their service time, unit and ranking; these hang from some doors. We were very impressed with one resident’s nicely kept room. Her large living room contained two couches and chairs with room to spare. The hallway walk-in closet and the built-in vanity in the bedroom were very glamorous, entirely apropos for a home so close to Hollywood. Although this resident is a hundred years old, she is still quite independent; she refuses housekeeping services and maintains a beautiful home all through her own efforts! Many residents and staff members stay with the facility long-term. The building engineer, for example, worked at Bethany Towers for eighteen years, and then decided to stay on as a resident.
