The Harbor Assisted Living

The Harbor Assisted Living Community

The Harbor Assisted Living Community is family owned and operated. The Caplan family has been instrumental in leading the assisted living industry for over 40 years. The Harbor Assisted Living Community is managed by Kevin Caplan, a second generation of owners, who has adopted the same philosophy of care as his father: A mission to improve the lives of those that cross our threshold by offering compassionate and wholistic care. This community is the only community that the Caplan family owns.

Our Executive Director

While the philosophy of ownership is crucial, it is just as important to have an executive director that embodies these values and beliefs. This is found in Clarissa Woods, an administrator with decades of experience whose passion for residents, their families, and the community is second to none. In my 26 years of experience in this industry, I can say that she is truly exceptional.

Staff and Hiring

Clarissa and Ruby (our nurse with extensive clinical experience) hire our staff and ensure that they have the passion to serve the elderly with respect and reverence.

A Typical Day in the Lives of Our Residents

Everything is governed by a care plan, a document that is initiated from an assessment (likely video conference in this case) and is constantly changing to accommodate the needs of the resident. The community needs to revolve around the resident and not the resident around the community. We find it helpful to replicate the routine that our residents have adopted, sometimes for 50 or 60 years; this helps with the transition as well. Our objective is to offer as much help or as little help as is needed to facilitate resident independence. We assist with bathing, dressing, grooming, ambulation, and toileting (amongst others, please see attachment for additional services). The comprehensive care plan governs many of the daily needs while a call system and regular staff interaction respond to unscheduled needs. The call system and staffing pattern allow for our residents to receive the care they deserve in a timely manner.

Dining and Social Connections

Knowing that our residents have experienced, usually many, losses in their lives, the dining, social, and the ability to connect is paramount. Freshly prepared meals, accommodations can be made for most diets and preferences, are served restaurant style. The assessment (as previously mentioned) provides not only clinical information but gives us a sense of our resident, and this fosters our ability to place residents with like-minded tablemates. Engaging conversations and laughter need to garnish every meal. Please know that alternate meals are always available.

Medical and Support Services

Continuity of care is important; therefore, we have visiting physicians that round at our community: internists, dentists, and podiatrists. Therapy services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy), skilled nursing visits, and even psychological support if needed. Additionally, we believe in aging in place and prudently augment our services with hospice when needed. Our families can always choose who they wish to use (either in part or in whole), the right of self-determination is inviolable. At this time, we do not have our own transport, but we do have a relationship with a private company that has served our residents (their rates are very reasonable).

Pet-Friendly Community

We are a pet-friendly community that accepts furry friends that are less than 30lbs and have shot records (which are placed in the resident’s chart). Please know that it is important that the resident be able to take care of their companion.

Communication

Communication is the cornerstone of our residents aging successfully. Coordination between providers (medical practitioners), the resident, The Harbor, and the responsible party is crucial. The care plans are reviewed regularly, and changes in condition (be it physical or psychosocial) are communicated promptly to the relevant parties. Clarissa’s office is immediately on the right upon entering; she, any of the staff, or I are available. I feel that the design of the community (small, intimate, and family-centric) is typified by accessibility and transparency. It is important to us that our families feel comfortable to express their concerns as it presents an opportunity for betterment and improved resident satisfaction.

Current Availability

Ben, we do not offer respite at this time as we typically remain, and would not want to disappoint or cause undue distress to potential families and their loved ones. We are in a unique situation that we do have a private room available.