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New residents find the city's regional hospital, doctors' offices, shopping centers, sports facilities, quality restaurants and numerous religious organizations important factors in making the decision to relocate for retirement. Those who decide to move to New Bern are seldom disappointed. As more retirees settle in the area, a growing number of services and programs are created and tailored to meet their needs and interests. Several agencies and public service organizations offer an ever-expanding variety of services aimed at greeting, involving and assisting new and retired residents. For retirees who need extra
care in day-to-day living, retirement communities in New Bern are
designed to create interesting, carefree and caring environments. The
housing options available vary according to the needs of individuals and
include assisted living, respite care, nursing and adult day-care
services plus independent and assisted-living facilities and programs
for memory-impaired residents. The Craven County Department of Social
Services (see our listing in this chapter) is a clearinghouse for
information on the various options in specialized-care facilities.
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New
Bern's popularity as a delightful retirement location is evident in its
relocation statistics. Nearly 2,000 retired people move to New Bern each
year, an average of about six per day. It's too hard to pass up New
Bern's combination of mild climate, relatively low cost of living,
beautiful surroundings and friendly people. Active retired citizens
enjoy fishing, golfing, sailing, hiking and boating within a stone's
throw of anywhere in the river city. Gardeners appreciate the year-round
growing season. The colonial setting of the city and the wide range of
social, cultural and recreational activities make retirement in New Bern
very attractive.
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Services and OrganizationsA number of service agencies and
organizations in New Bern are equipped to deal with the needs or
problems that may confront the older population. Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Eastern Carolina
Council 233 Middle St., New Bern The State of North Carolina
designated this agency to address the concerns and needs of the
elder segment of the local population as mandated through the Older
Americans Act. Local citizens make up the regional council policy
board. The agency is responsible for direct contracting with local
providers in a nine-county area for priority services such as
transportation, nutrition, in-home care, case management, housing
and home improvement, legal and other services. It also provides
technical assistance involving training, grant preparation,
community coordination efforts, needs assessments and resource
inventories. It carries out regional ombudsman assistance to
county-appointed nursing home and adult-care community advisory
committees. The agency oversees development and implementation of
aging programs, assists in the development of multipurpose senior
centers and designates community focal-point facilities for
delivering services to the older population. The Area Agency on
Aging is also responsible for the Family Caregiver program that
assists and supports caregivers with their day-to-day care-giving
responsibilities. New programs are always in development; call for
more information. Craven County Department of Social
Services The Department of Social Services
offers information and assistance to seniors concerning health,
Medicare and rest-home and nursing-home facilities. The department
operates an in-home aide program, a Medicare transportation program
and an Adult Home Specialist Service that monitors nursing homes. It
also refers clients to other agencies and organizations for help
with special situations. |
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Craven County Senior Services Handling services geared toward senior citizens of
Craven County, this agency offers a variety of programs and
activities at its three senior centers for residents ages 60 and
older. Popular center pastimes include quilting, crafts, exercise
programs, yoga, line-dancing, self-help and supportive services,
health screenings and various enrichment classes in cooperation with
Craven Community College. Lunch is provided five days a week, except
on designated holidays. The agency also operates the county's Meals
on Wheels program. Craven County Veterans
Service Office The Veterans Service Office provides veterans and
qualified dependents with information, assistance and
problem-solving services regarding veterans' programs and benefits.
The office also works to promote issues of relevance to veterans. Gold Care This wellness program, developed by Craven Regional
Medical Center, is for adults ages 55 and older. Membership offers
monthly education seminars, a physician-referral service, access to
support groups, a quarterly newsletter, social opportunities and
other activities. Annual membership is $15 for a couple or $10 for
singles. Help-At-Home Senior Care Help-At-Home allows seniors in Craven, Pamlico,
Carteret and Onslow counties who need just a little bit of help at
home to stay in their homes and enjoy their independence. This
service matches caregivers to senior clients and provides services
such as meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping,
medication reminders, bill-paying assistance, bathing safety
monitoring, errand running and local transportation. Help-At-Home is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Neuse River Senior Games
and Silver Arts Competition Senior Games is an exciting health-promotion program
for adults age 55 years and older. It includes events such as
swimming, badminton, horseshoes, shuffleboard, cycling, shotput,
discus, bowling, table tennis, basketball, race-walking and more,
with gold, silver and bronze medals being awarded to the winners in
each event. Medal winners also qualify for the North Carolina State
Games in Raleigh. Silver Arts events include Heritage Arts, Literary
Arts, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. New Bern Parks and
Recreation In addition to its regular programs (see our New Bern Parks and Recreation chapter for more information), the New Bern Parks & Recreation Department offers a number of special programs for seniors only, including dancing and exercise classes and a softball team. The department also hosts clubs devoted to special interests, such as model airplanes, miniatures, stamps and coins, needlepoint, ceramics and more. In addition to clubs and classes, the
department organizes special events for seniors only. Senior
Activity Days are scheduled for Mondays and Fridays for adults age
55 and older at the West New Bern Recreation Center. Activities
include table tennis, billiards, shuffleboard, basketball, badminton
and more, while those who enjoy less-active pursuits can partake
in chess, checkers or just walking around the gym. The department
also sponsors the Golden Age Club for seniors age 55 and older. The
club meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the
West New Bern Recreation Center for fun and fellowship, with special
trips planned throughout the year. For more information about Senior
Activity Days or the Golden Age Club, call (252) 636-4061. The
Henderson Park Senior Citizens Club, the oldest club of its kind in
North Carolina, meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every
month at the Stanley White Recreation Center; for information call
(252) 636-4062. Senior Pharmacy Program The Senior Pharmacy Program assists eligible
seniors, ages 60 and older in Craven, Jones, Pamlico and Carteret
counties, with costs for prescription medications. An outreach of
Catholic Social Ministries, it helps pay for prescriptions that
treat chronic diseases, such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart
disease, diabetes, glaucoma, acid reflux, arthritis and clinical
depression. Post-hospitalization medications may be covered on a
limited basis. Sites for the monthly distribution of vouchers, to be
used toward the prescription costs, are generally at area senior
centers. Call ahead for an appointment. The program's mailing
address is P.O. Box 826, New Bern, NC 28563. Social Security Office Administering the Social Security and Supplemental
Security Income programs, this office is open weekdays to provide
information concerning Social Security guidelines and requirements
and to answer other related questions. Clients are seen on a
walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. Insiders recommend you
either arrive early or come prepared for a wait.
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Retirement Housing |
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The Courtyards at Berne
Village 2701 Amhurst Blvd. (252) 637-1779 |
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The Courtyards at Berne Village, a 55-plus community in New Bern, is located in a residential neighborhood with shopping, entertainment and medical services just minutes away. Built in 1986 and renovated in 2004, the community provides a range of services that residents want and need to live as independently and actively as they would like. Residents enjoy a variety of social gatherings and planned activities. Meals are served daily in the private restaurant, and special diet plans are available if needed or requested. The Courtyards at Berne Village also offer scheduled transportation, housekeeping and 24-hour campus security and emergency-call system monitoring. Amenities include a private clubhouse for meetings and parties, a library, a chapel for meditation and religious services, a cafe with patio seating, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a barber and beauty shop. With more than 18 acres, the park-like campus provides plenty of space for outside recreational activities such as walking, gardening and bird-watching. On-site amenities include horseshoes, shuffleboard, a putting green, croquet and bocce ball. The Courtyards at Berne Village features one- and two-bedroom apartments with full-size kitchens, private baths and individual heat and air control, all on the ground floor. For those who need more service or need help with
the activities of daily living, assisted-living apartments are
available in the main building. A Special Memory Care Program is
designed for those with Alzheimer's or other memory impairments.
Respite care and short-term rental accommodations are also
available. The Courtyards at Berne Village offers a tour and
complimentary lunch for prospective residents and clients. Homeplace of
New Bern Homeplace of New Bern can accommodate up to 40 residents, who can rent suites on a month-to-month basis with the security of 24-hour help on hand. Independence is encouraged, yet assistance is available for whatever the resident needs. Kitchenettes, private baths with walk-in showers to optimize safety, independent temperature controls and attractive furniture are some of the many amenities featured in individual suites. The healthcare coordinator, who also is a registered nurse, coordinates the care and services provided by certified nursing assistants around the clock. Three delicious meals are served daily, and laundry, housekeeping and transportation services are available. An enriching activities program and a caring staff give Homeplace a distinctive and friendly reputation. The activities are varied and unique, ranging from crafts, exercise and religious activities to musical performances and excursions out on the town. An additional 20 residents can be accommodated in a special Alzheimer's and related dementia program. The special program for individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias is designed to provide assistance to residents while maintaining a safe environment. Respite care and short-term stays are welcome. Prospective customers are encouraged to stop by to tour and experience the warmth and focus on customer service at Homeplace of New Bern. The McCarthy Court Independent Living
Apartments offers 85 luxurious apartments with all of the conveniences for
senior adults to be comfortable while maintaining an active lifestyle. The one-
and two-bedroom apartments range in size from 753 to 1,436 square feet and
feature patios or balconies, washer/dryer hookups, computer hookups and full
kitchens. Month-to-month rentals include all utilities except phone and cable, a
full-service evening meal, weekly housekeeping, maintenance, scheduled
transportation, recreational activities and access to common areas. The staff
checks in daily with residents, who also have an emergency pull-cord to summon
help if needed. Two Rivers Neuse Campus and
Trent Campus These two residential facilities,
owned and operated by UHS Pruitt Corporation, are located on either
side of Craven Regional Medical Center. Two Rivers Trent Campus
offers 113 beds in its facility, which includes a large outdoor
covered patio, an indoor sun room and a large rehabilitation room.
Two Rivers Neuse Campus has 110 beds available in private and
semi-private rooms, a safe outdoor courtyard and a comfortable
living room space for visitations. Both facilities feature spacious
and bright dining rooms, activity rooms, wide hallways that offer
easy wheelchair access, and the Wander Guard Security System for
keeping residents with a tendency to wander safe and secure. The
centers provide skilled-nursing care, rehabilitative programs and a
variety of therapies and recreational opportunities designed to keep
residents healthy, alert and active. The centers also offer
short-term care options for those unable to return home immediately
after surgery or other treatments. |
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