Mc Graw House sits at 221 S Geneva St in Ithaca, and the building's set up with older adults in mind, with 105 apartments, including 65 studio units and 40 one-bedroom units, and there's even a guest apartment for visiting family or friends, which is handy for those rare occasions when someone comes to stay a few days. The building itself feels pretty safe, with a secure buzzer entry system, a clean and well-kept look inside and out, and two elevators that go to all six floors, so no one has to worry much about stairs. The main floor's got a roomy, air-conditioned lounge, a dining area, an activity room, and a laundry room, and there's always friendly staff around with two of them living right on site, and they're keeping watch 24 hours a day in case someone needs help at any hour, which does give some comfort at night if you've got a worry or a question.
The place gets support from grants, including from local groups like the Ladies Union Benevolent Society, which helps keep some programs going, and there's a dining program that serves evening meals five days a week with vegetarian and vegan options, so nobody's left cooking alone if they don't want to. Residents can also use the laundry facilities, which are coin-operated and open all the time, and there's dry cleaning services if needed. Gadabout transportation comes right to the building to help with shopping trips, and there's a service coordinator on staff full-time who helps folks arrange the help they might need as the years go by, plus personal care assistants, maintenance, and housekeeping, all there if you need them.
There's a lot of spaces to spend time and keep busy, like the activity room where people can exercise, play cards or board games, use computers and a large print reader, have morning coffee hours, or sit in diversity groups if that's of interest, and the building has cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and sprinklers for safety. The outdoor spaces are worth mentioning-a rooftop meditative garden with tables and planter boxes for those who like a little gardening, plus well-tended gardens around the building with a small fish pond, mostly cared for by people living there, which helps foster a sense of community since most people know and care about each other.
Housekeeping helps out with cleaning, and there's a salon/barbershop and a fitness center, and every apartment's got either a kitchen or kitchenette, which comes in handy for fixing meals or just a cup of tea. Security and accessibility get priority too, with safety features for wheelchairs, transportation for appointments, and a staff presence for emergencies. Activities, arts and crafts, wellness programs, tea times, and regular town meetings help keep daily life interesting, and both independent living and assisted living services are available, so residents can get a little more help as their needs change. Mc Graw House works as part of a social care platform, so support and social care services stay available and visible to everyone who lives there. The atmosphere's comfortable, the building's well looked after, and it's a place reserved just for older adults who want a safe and friendly place to live as they age.
