Benchmark Senior Living at Shrewsbury Crossings sits by the eastern bank of Lake Quinsigamond, just minutes off I-290, right next to St. John's High School athletic fields, and it serves older adults who need different kinds of support, from independent living all the way through assisted living, memory care, respite care, and skilled nursing, so you see folks around who might want to do more for themselves or others who need a hand with daily things like bathing, dressing, or remembering medications, and there's a free-standing building for memory care, which has extra alarms and safety measures for those who wander or act out, so families know their loved ones can be safe even if there are major behaviors or risks; they let people bring pets if they want, because some folks can't imagine life without a dog or cat, and they try to keep that small, close-knit community feel even though there's plenty of space, with private apartments that have hardwood floors and room for favorite things and private time, but they also make it easy to get together, with indoor and outdoor common areas, seating areas with TVs, garden patios, and spaces to sit with friends or family, plus there's a dining room where people gather for meals and talks, and the food gets good marks from people who live there, who say the kitchen serves up tasty, balanced meals, offers vegetarian and special diet options for things like diabetes or low sodium needs, and even has anytime or restaurant-style dining, room service, and private dining spaces for special occasions, while seasonal menus and chef demonstrations help keep things interesting.
There's a lot of activities every day, like yoga, stretching, art and brain games, community projects, lectures, Wii bowling, trivia, wine tasting, cooking classes, gardening, and even pet-focused things, and you'll see people go out sometimes on day trips, plus there's a full-time activities director who plans things so nobody has to sit around bored unless they want to, because the staff go out of their way to be cheerful, kind, and helpful, which gets noticed by both families and visitors, and this friendly way is one of the reasons the place has high satisfaction ratings, often around 4.5 stars in reviews, and has earned awards for its food, activities, and atmosphere.
Care isn't all the same for everyone, because staff adjust as needs change, with personalized plans, so someone who starts out independent can get more help if things get harder as the years go by, and the medical side's handled by a Nurse Practitioner Medical Director, on-site Registered Nurses and LPNs, and a whole team who make sure medicines are given when they should be, or who check on residents during the night if there's a concern, and there's visiting specialists like podiatrists and dentists, and therapy staff for physical, speech, and occupational therapy, so folks can recover after surgery or illness, and for those who need more, there's also hospice and respite care to support families who can't do it all themselves for a while.
They look after people who have advanced needs, including help with incontinence, or reminders to use the restroom, and they can monitor blood sugar and give insulin shots, though they can't do sliding scale therapy, and if someone's living with Alzheimer's or dementia, the secured memory care area offers hands-on support, structure, and tailored activities meant to keep people as alert and calm as possible, with added protections like bracelets and alarmed doors to help everyone stay safe.
There's devotional services for anyone who wants them, and the property has signs up, comfortable outdoor areas, gardens, and walking paths where you'll often see folks outdoors in good weather, and resident parking is there for those who still drive, though the community bus and complimentary transportation help people get to appointments or on outings when they want a change of pace.
Throughout all of this, the goal's to support people to keep as much independence as possible while having enough backup and a social atmosphere so that living here doesn't feel lonely or cut off, but part of a real neighborhood where friendships form and family visits feel welcome, and while things aren't perfect, people do say they feel at home and appreciate the extra effort staff put in every day.
