John Bertram House

John Bertram House sits right on Salem Common inside a historic brick Federalist Mansion that's been there since 1877, and the place's got a long history which you can really feel as you walk up the steps, because the building itself won an award from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for preservation, and they even brought in a Salem architect named Staley McDermet for a renovation back in 1989, pouring a couple million into updates and expansions, though it's still got that old charm. Folks living there get weekly housekeeping, daily trash pickup, and all sorts of help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management, and there's a nurse on staff to do monthly wellness visits, while other trained team members are around 24 hours a day along with a call system if there's an emergency, so help's never far off if the need arises. There's three meals a day-home-cooked and well-balanced, with fresh local ingredients, and always a choice on the menu, with a bistro plus snacks pretty much whenever someone wants them. The building has a mix of floor plans, so someone can pick a space that fits right, and there's plenty of shared rooms-a bright sunroom and a screened porch, a dining room, a big welcoming lounge, and a library, while outside the courtyard offers a good spot for sitting or talking with friends or family, since John Bertram House really tries to keep folks connected to their loved ones. There's all kinds of programs too-plenty of activities and events, some focused on art or learning thanks to programming like Live with Artistry and Live with Learning, and the staff work hard to create schedules that fit each resident's needs and wants, whether for body or mind or just a bit of company from time to time, and pets are welcome here as part of things. The place covers a wide range of care, offering independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care through its Reminiscence Program and Terrace Club, and even short stays or hospice care, and they'll help with transitions as a resident's needs change, plus there are services like Dignity Home Care and programs designed to support emotional and social wellness, such as Sunrise Stories and Staying Connected, because they want everyone involved with the larger community and feeling fulfilled. It's a spot for both men and women, and the staff-including the people from Sunrise Senior Living and the local Board of Trustees-bring decades of experience, so there's always someone to work with outside health providers if extra care's needed, and it's nice that nearby you can find CVS Pharmacy, doctors' offices, and even a Starbucks. The John Bertram House focuses most of all on helping people keep their independence and dignity, but with support always right there when needed, and the community's got a good reputation, as shown by its Best of Senior Living awards for high-quality care and support, and you can take a virtual tour to see it for yourself.