When maintaining the family home becomes a burden for Geauga County senior citizens and lifestyle changes are needed, homeowners have a new option that still allows them to live in a community.
When maintaining the family home becomes a burden for Geauga County senior citizens and lifestyle changes are needed, homeowners have a new option that still allows them to live in a community.
Ohman Family Living at Briar in Middlefield Village is finishing construction of 24 single-story cottages this summer.
The 1,500-square-foot independent-living units, called The Cottages, are drawing the attention of many seniors and their families, though only the model is finished, said Anderson Ohman Jr., the real estate developer, during an interview in April.
Some seniors who looked at the street plan knew immediately where they wanted to live.
“They come in and say, ‘I want that one,’” he said.
Interest ramped up among the 55-and-older crowd when the model opened for tours, said Dawn Damante, director of market relations for OFL.
“They have a lot of questions. They want to see it,” she said. “People are excited to see (The Cottages) going up.”
The model showcases the open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, natural light, modern kitchens with high-end appliances, plenty of storage space, a one-and-a-half-car garage and two en suite bedrooms.
Plans include private outdoor areas for each unit, according to a press release.
Development of an active senior living community began nearly 10 years ago.
Anderson brought plans to expand OFL’s continuing care retirement community to the village planning commission in early 2016.
The proposal included consolidating four lots on the west side of North State Street across from the Briar Cliff Manor, now called OFL at Briar.
“We had to assemble all the land,” he said, adding the village was very helpful in creating one parcel for the infill project.
The project included three homes facing North State Street, built in the 1880s or 1890s, which were stripped down to the studs, renovated and are now occupied, Anderson said.
A fourth house had dirt floors and was past saving, said Joshua Wallace, the real estate agent and brother-in-law to Anderson Jr. and Christian Ohman. The model and driveway off North State now occupy that site.
Construction of the 24 single-story units started last summer and progressed, despite one of the worst winters in Geauga County.
Deep snow, low temperatures and frozen ground didn’t stop the Amish building crew, said Christian, OFL at Briar administrator.
“They worked through blizzards,” he said.
Their efforts kept the project very close to schedule.
“Since we broke ground, we are less than a week and a half behind schedule,” Wallace said, adding the completion date is now expected to be this fall.
The Ohman family paid close attention to a survey of seniors regarding the design of the homes.
“One of the biggest things we saw in the marketing study was (seniors) wanted an ample garage and lots of storage space,” Anderson Jr. said.
Several large storage areas line the entry of the model, each en suite has a large walk-in closet and the kitchen pantry is huge.
Centrally located in Middlefield Village, residents of The Cottages can enjoy a variety of activities. The Maple Highlands Trail, which extends north to Chardon and south to Swine Creek Park, is easily accessed and provides opportunities for biking or walking, Damante said.
The monthly fee, starting at $3,500, covers all utilities, including water, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi and streaming, as well as bi-weekly housekeeping and maintenance, according to the March press release, which added food service and wellness programs are optional expenses.
“The unique combination of affordable senior living and access to healthcare professionals will lead to more healthy days at home for the next generation of boomers. Pre-leasing for the first 12 units is available,” the press release said.
The rent was determined from a cost-of-living analysis, and OFL urges seniors interested in a new home to consult with the company’s financial expert and find out how many monthly bills they won’t have to worry about, Anderson Jr. said.
The staff is also able to help Cottage residents if they have health issues, Wallace said.
Nurse practitioners will be available to make house calls and trips to doctors’ offices can be made in an OFL transit bus, he said.
“Our concierge support is invaluable,” Wallace said, adding the healthcare framework established to serve Briar will be extended to Cottage residents.
“Our lifestyle … is wellness-focused,” he said.
Seniors confused by all the health insurance nuances can talk to an advisor.
“We deal with insurance every single day,” Christian said.
The Cottages will provide multiple levels of care at a single location, allowing residents to stay in the same place as their needs change over time, according to the OFL website.
In-depth interviews of staff, current residents and their families were resoundingly positive regarding the OFL facilities’ standard of living, Christian added.
“Our quality rating on all levels of services are top-notch,” he said.
The population is aging and there is a shortage of age-appropriate housing, Wallace said.
“We’re addressing the problem in Northeast Ohio. There is a very limited amount of single-story homes for aging adults to move into,” he said, adding seniors who want to move in this summer should pre-lease soon.
“These cottages aren’t going to last long,” he said.
The units will provide a much more manageable lifestyle close to many amenities and, by forming a neighborhood within the village, seniors will feel safer and have more opportunities to socialize than if they were isolated in a large home on 5 acres, Christian said.
“It will be a community within a community,” he said.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Damante at 440-321-2499.
