AVIVA West Hartford

AVIVA West Hartford sits in a grand, early twentieth-century landmark building that used to be Mount St. Joseph, a Catholic girls' school built by the Sisters of Mercy and was once owned by the Vanderbilts, and you can still see the grand brick exterior, arched windows, and tall white columns, which gives the place a feel of history but the inside feels cozy and up to date, with big apartments ranging from studios to two-bedroom units, some as large as 1,285 square feet, and each has private bathrooms, kitchenettes, air conditioning, cable, and Wi-Fi, with plenty of light and a warm, inviting atmosphere that doesn't feel stuffy or formal, and there are all sorts of spots to gather, like a dining room, a library, a billiards room, a cafe, a pub, and a movie theater, plus outdoor gardens, patios, and a walking trail by the old bell tower that gives a nice view over West Hartford. The community offers several types of care, so folks can choose independent living if they're mostly on their own, assisted living or what they call "assisted plus" if they need help with daily things like bathing and dressing, and a separate memory care section for people with Alzheimer's or dementia, with its own secure area, specialized staff, and activities to help with memory and comfort, and there are also short-term respite stays available. There's always staff on duty with nursing coverage for at least half the day, and a 24-hour call system, with regular scheduled medical visits, medication help, and special care for walking, transfers, or using a wheelchair. Meals are prepared by a chef, with menus for various diets like low-sodium or vegetarian, and you can eat in the common dining room or in your own room, with room service if you need it. Activities fill the calendar, from movie nights in the on-site theater to arts and crafts, billiards, fitness programs, music from groups like The Hartt School of Music, and trips to nearby places like Playhouse on Park. They do programs meant to help people find joy and purpose, like their Living With Confidence program, and there are events, cooking clubs, games, and resident-led happenings to keep everyone engaged, and there's a chapel for religious services and cultural performances. Pets are welcome, and there are spaces for them and their owners to enjoy outdoors, with plenty of places to sit and visit. The building's designed for safety, with elevators, a backup generator, and secure memory care, as well as daily housekeeping, laundry services, and parking for residents and visitors. Therapists come in for physical, occupational, and speech therapy as needed, and the facility's licensed by the state and recognized for dining, activities, and friendliness. People can age in place and transition between care levels as needed, so once you move in, there's no need to move again if more care is needed. AVIVA West Hartford focuses on providing reliable support while letting residents remain as independent as possible, and the staff tries to treat everyone with respect and dignity so folks can keep enjoying life, friendships, and a real feeling of community in a place that's both historic and comfortable.