Episcopal SeniorLife - River Edge Manor, located at 535 Mount Hope Avenue in Rochester, sits right on the banks of the Genesee River and gives seniors a peaceful setting close to parks and walking trails, so there's always somewhere nice to go sit or walk, and people do seem to like those spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with big closets, updated kitchens with stainless steel appliances, walk-in showers, and central air, which makes things comfortable all year. The community, part of Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, is a faith-based nonprofit that runs nine senior living facilities, so they know a thing or two about caring for seniors and their families, really focusing on things like personalized care, respect, compassion, and friendliness, and you can tell that they try to make things easier for people as they age and as their needs change, offering a full spectrum of services, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, hospice comfort care, and all sorts of therapies and community dementia programs. Seniors can pick from different apartment floorplans, like a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, or even a two-bedroom deluxe with two baths, and if folks need more support, they can get help with daily activities like bathing and dressing, plus there's therapy to help keep people from wandering if they have memory problems, and that's a relief for some families who worry about that sort of thing.
They make sure to give seniors lots of choices with the Designed By You program, so residents can pick the service packages that fit their own wants and needs, and if someone needs more care down the line, they offer priority access to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, which can be helpful if things suddenly change. The staff has a reputation for being friendly and attentive, offering things like chaplain services, 24-hour emergency response, health and wellness programs, pharmacy delivery, and on-site physician and therapy services, so there's always someone you can call when you need help. They even have an Artist in Residence program through a partnership with the Eastman School of Music, which means sometimes there will be live musical performances right in the building, and there's always something going on with daily programs like walking clubs, art classes, gardening, fitness, social events, presentations, and trips, so people keep busy and don't have to sit around if they don't want to.
Amenities are thoughtful, like the beauty and barber shop, billiards area, media room, private and group dining rooms, an interfaith chapel, library, storage, an on-site fitness room, new kitchens with hard surface countertops, and even wi-fi for anyone who wants to keep in touch with family or watch something online. The place is built for convenience, too, with fully accessible features, laundry, and on-site parking, and the grounds have nice patios and garden beds where people can get some fresh air. They serve nutritious meals made with good ingredients, and there's always the chance to join community programs, even inviting non-residents to participate in some neighborhood activities, which keeps things lively and gives everyone a chance to socialize. Because River Edge Manor is grounded in its faith-based, nonprofit values, the focus stays on respect, dignity, and supporting each resident's beliefs and wishes, rather than just following routines. The organization offers supportive housing services in three additional communities through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, and independent living apartments, townhouses, patio homes, or cottages at several locations, including places like Beatrice Place, Valley Manor, Ellen's Place, and Seabury Woods. The application process includes reviews on eligibility, documentation, and fees, and while those details can vary depending on the type of care needed, staff like senior living consultant Anna Meyer can walk families through each step when the time comes. River Edge Manor provides a stable community with a wide range of programs, neighborhood support, and services that let seniors age in place with dignity and stay part of an active, supportive community.
