Eastcastle Place sits in Milwaukee's East Side and has been part of the community for over 135 years, so you can tell it's got a long history and a steady way of doing things, and there's a sense of comfort knowing many of the staff and services have been in place for a good while. The place is a Life Plan Community, which means you can get independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and all sorts of health services right on-site, so you don't have to pack up and move if your needs change, which folks tend to appreciate as they get older. The independent living apartments come in different floor plans, and you can find one- or two-bedroom layouts, studios, even some with sunrooms and fireplaces, and all have private bathrooms with walk-in showers-there's cable and wi-fi in each one, too, and you can bring a small pet if you've got one, so you don't have to give up every little comfort.
Eastcastle Place has staff around the clock and emergency alert systems in every apartment, plus a 24-hour emergency response system, so that adds a layer of safety, and for people needing more help, their assisted living has qualified professionals who can help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and taking medicines the right way. There's a memory care section for folks with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia, which is set up to prevent wandering and cut down on confusion, and if you need more medical care, there's skilled nursing and therapy services, including physical therapy, right there, so you don't have to travel out for regular treatments. They've got specialized respite care and "One Step Closer to Home" programs, where you can stay for a short while in a furnished apartment if you're recovering or need a break.
The monthly fee covers utilities (except the phone and cable), meals cooked daily by a chef-who uses local stuff and even herbs grown on the grounds-and you can ask for special diets like diabetic or low-sodium if you need, so it's simple if you don't want to worry about cooking for yourself anymore. Housekeeping, laundry, linen changes, and all the outside work like lawn care are taken care of. They've got someone to drive you back and forth to doctor appointments or out to things in town, since Downer Avenue and a lot of cultural places aren't far off, so you won't feel stuck.
The day-to-day life keeps you moving, if that's what you want, with swimming, yoga, art, music shows, movie nights, outings, seminars, creative writing groups, and clubs for poetry, books, games, cards, and even woodworking, so you're not left sitting alone unless you want to be, and there are options for folks at all activity levels. There's a garden for residents, and you can get out there or just enjoy the green view, and even cocktail hours if you like to mingle a bit. Security checks run all day and night, and the building has Wi-Fi throughout, along with cable TV.
Eastcastle Place lets you pay with check or credit card, and there are resources to help you figure out the care planning and costs, since those can get confusing. The community follows an all-inclusive pricing structure, and you can find help for caregivers as well. There's licensed care, state oversight (license number 0010377), and options for seniors age 55 and up, offering a familiar and steady environment with access to health services, social events, and some freedom to keep your usual habits, all while knowing you're safe and looked after if your health shifts as you get older.
