The Bristal Assisted Living at Waldwick sits in a quiet residential spot in northern Bergen County and has a two-story building where people can choose from several types of apartments, whether it's a studio, a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, or even a friendship suite with private or shared bedrooms, most of them having kitchenettes and private bathrooms, and you see things like heating, air conditioning, and electricity all included, plus emergency alert systems in every room. The place gives options for independent living, assisted living, and dedicated memory care with its Reflections program, which is set up for people with Alzheimer's or dementia and keeps things safe and comforting, with extra monitoring and staff who know how to help folks with memory trouble, and there's adult day care, home care, nursing and rehab too, but with prices starting around $4,300 per month, most folks are paying for the peace of mind that comes with knowing staff are around 24/7 to help with small or big things, from bathing and getting dressed to reminders for medication. The meals come three times a day, set up kind of like in a country club, with award-winning chefs working out dishes that fit different diets like low salt or vegetarian, and there's a bistro, a private dining room for family visits, a beauty salon and barber, and spots to gather like a cinema, a creative arts studio, a fitness center, and wide open spaces indoors and out for sitting, chatting, or getting in a little exercise or sun.
People can keep pets, decorate their apartments as they like, and join in all the planned activities from games and crafts to movie nights, exercise sessions, outings to stores and concerts, live entertainment, and religious services like Shabbat - everything designed to help residents stay active, make friends, and enjoy each day, with safety measures like 24-hour security cameras. The staff manage cooking, cleaning, laundry, and provide transportation to medical appointments or shopping trips, and they tailor support to each person's needs, even providing special care for those with dementia through things like mind-invigorating activities so everyone has a chance to keep sharp and busy, and there are therapists and a nurse on hand part-time.
You see programs called Hands-On & Hearts-In® for staff sensitivity, the Mobility Enhancement Program to stop falls before they happen, and The Bristal Better U for learning new things, plus special attention on wellness of the body, mind, and spirit, all under a management team that's part of The Bristal group, which has run communities like this in the tri-state area since 1999. Friends and family can visit, park easily, and even take a tour to meet the staff and see the community for themselves, and everyone gets support to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible. The community gets a score of about 6.4 from different reviews and data - not the best but not the worst - but you can tell they try to create a bright, social atmosphere where older folks have freedom and care, with the chance to take part in all sorts of events, be it in the gardens, the lobby, or over a shared meal.
