Flushing House

Flushing House sits right in the heart of the Flushing neighborhood in Queens, and you'll notice it's a big high-rise building where seniors have lived since 1974 because it's been set up as a non-profit with a focus on helping older folks stay independent and engaged. The apartments come in choices like studios, one-bedrooms, and a few two-bedroom, one-bath units, all meant for seniors to live on their own but with support close at hand, and every place has its own euro-style kitchenette, a full bathroom, and temperature control, which keeps things comfortable. Residents can bring pets, which is nice for those who want a bit of company, and there's an elevator for easy access to all floors, so folks with mobility needs find things a bit easier, and in some apartments, there's special equipment for people who need it. The rent covers utilities, a TV package called Retirement Home TV, housekeeping, linen exchange, and restaurant-style meals-continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner-all served in a comfortable dining hall on the ground floor, where people often gather not just to eat but to see neighbors.

For people who want to keep active or socialize, there's a whole list of things to do with arts and crafts, concerts, movies in the in-house theater, game nights, shopping trips, exercise classes, poetry group, birthday parties, and residents sometimes sing with the choral group. There's a sunlit solarium that's got city views, a piano, and comfortable places to sit, and you can find outdoor seating up on the rooftop for those who like fresh air and a skyline look. Within the building, seniors can use amenities like a salon, an exercise room, a library, and a computer lab, and the staff also help out with concierge services and making sure everyone's schedules stay full with community events-the calendar gets updated regularly, and there's even a newsletter and a television channel called Flushing House TV that keeps everyone up to date. There's a special interfaith chapel with weekly services for Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant residents, and a strong safety focus with 24-hour security.

Care services focus on independent living, but residents who need more support can find home health aides, physical therapists, and occupational therapists on-site, and in-house nurses and physicians check in and are available five days a week. Flushing House has links with United Lifeline Personal Emergency Response Service and United Home Services, which helps people get a fast response if they need urgent help. They run their meals with a rotating menu that's planned out and cooked from scratch each week, and monthly rent stays simple because most services are bundled together, so you don't have to keep track of extra fees most of the time. Residents can go out and take advantage of the neighborhood, with stores and activities nearby, and often there are group outings and entertainment with visiting performers and even sports events. Special events fill the calendar-like BBQs, annual galas, and holiday celebrations including Martin Luther King Jr. Day-which tend to bring everyone together.

Flushing House got the 2020 Best in Boro Award for Retirement Community and it's known around the city as a place where people age with support and independence in a lively group setting. It's a real community, focused on comfort and a full life for seniors, with plenty of choice and built-in programs for well-being, all in a residential high-rise that stands out for doing things in its own way.