What’s in store for NewCourtland’s new project on Henry Ave? We toured NewCourtland’s Allegheny facility for an idea.
Things are about to heat up on NewCourtland’s Henry Ave site this summer. The company recently won approval of its application from the Philly Zoning Board, clearing the way to transform the decaying EPPI building into a modern senior healthcare facility.
We’ve all seen artist’s renderings of the building’s exterior, but we were kinda in the dark about the services they plan to offer until we toured NewCourtland’s Allegheny facility, the nearest in “scale, size, and services” to the Henry Ave project, according to Max Kent (VP of Plans and Logistics).
One thing’s for sure, it’s no nursing home. Not the kind we remember anyway – no nursing home smell, no sad fluorescent lights, no droning televisions. In fact, the hallway of the first place we entered, the LIFE Center, was filled with local art, natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, and just outside, landscaped grounds complete with gardens and walking paths.
And the patients? No hypnotized/bored folks just waiting around. It’s all about keeping active and engaged (in fact, “patients” are called participants in NewCourtland speak). We saw hundreds of them chatting over lunch in the daytime activity room while Max explained that the multipurpose space offers a variety of classes and activities. “Xbox bowling’s a big one and there are several computers and Wii stations around the room too,” said Bob Theil (Govt. Affairs Mgr.)
The lunch menu, prepared by a dietitian using herbs and vegetables from the on-site garden and local vendors, was tailored to the dietary needs of the average senior. A farm fresh program brought in local fruits and vegetables that participants could take home with them. On the wall were message boards for various social clubs, from music to art to sports fans.
“They form these groups themselves,” said Max, pointing to the “Golden Girls” message board. “That’s a choir group.” And, at another board, that’s “The Brother Hood” (an all-male sports club): “I helped them get Eagles tickets.”
NewCourtland’s big idea is to offer activities and medical services to local seniors so they can live normal lives in their homes for as long as possible. (The LIFE Center has no apartments — most participants are transported by shuttle daily to NewCourtland. For those unable to live on their own, the adjoining Senior Center has apartments.) After seeing what the LIFE Center offered, it was more than normal living. In fact, the setup was kinda sweet — everybody had a choice of classes, activities, and groups.
The main difference was in the medical facilities in the Life Center. “I like to joke that our activities area is the world’s biggest waiting room,” said Max. “People enjoy hanging out, catching up with friends, getting a meal, and doing some fun things, then when they’re ready, they can take advantage of the medical services we offer.”
And this is where things got even more impressive. All participants are vetted during intake by an interdisciplinary team of medical specialists who evaluate medical conditions, medications, physical therapy needs, etc. They then provide services based on that evaluation. A few highlights of the services :
- Clinic. The clinic is staffed by doctors with various specialties, nurses, and nurse practitioners. There are triage areas, exam rooms, and even a phlebotomy lab for blood tests and blood draws. If needed, participants can be referred and transported to specialists for further evaluation.
- Physical Therapy Room. Participants work one-on-one with licensed physical therapists to create a PT program and work together on exercises. The area includes several pieces of workout equipment that are also used for exercise groups.
- Pharmacy. Pharmacists track patients’ medications and dispense blister packets, which have a patient’s daily regimen of pills by date or time. This helps them track what medication they’ve taken during the day. “I wish my dad had had this service,” said Max, “he was an Army vet who took lots of medications when he got older, and it got overwhelming for my mom after a while to keep track of them all.”
- Roll-in Showers. Easy-access showers with automatic lights, wide stalls, and benches and bars make it easy for handicapped or physically impaired people to bathe. Attendants on duty can also help those who can’t do so themselves.
- Barber/Salon. Local barbers and beauticians provide cuts and other beauty services. “You just feel better when you get your hair cut,” said Bob.
Our last stop on the tour was the Senior Center, a community meeting place that also includes 105 one-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors. While Henry Ave won’t be getting the pottery studio, music room, and other public-use spaces that come with a Senior Center, there will be 6,000 square feet of commercial space for medical providers and 78 apartments modeled after Allegheny’s apartments.
Max described them as “cookie-cutter,” and that’s the whole point. “We’ve run our apartment design by occupational therapists and doctors that specialize in geriatrics.” The result is a standardized layout offering plenty of amenities that is easily replicable at any NewCourtland campus. “A big part of our brand,” said Bob, “is that standardized living space on the inside while the exterior of each facility is designed to blend in with its neighborhood.”
Repurposing existing space is also a key goal. At Henry Ave, there’s a 15,000 square foot hospital kitchen in the basement that once served the EPPI patients. The massive space will be upgraded to become the central prep kitchen for all of NewCourtland’s facilities in the area. The revamped kitchen will bring food service jobs in addition to the approximately 80 jobs that come with the Life Center.
“And those are new jobs,” said Max, “not retread jobs from one of our other facilities.” Like most everything NewCourtland does, hiring is a way to connect with the people they serve. Most of those jobs will be from the Falls and surrounding neighborhoods. “If we’re not involved locally, we can’t tell what the community’s needs are,” said Max.
After our day at Allegheny’s thoughtful, intentional senior care facilities, we can’t wait to see construction crews in East Falls.
🙌 2025 UPDATE: The Tower at Henry Avenue officially opened April 25th with a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the launch of NewCourtland’s first inclusive housing model for older adults and individuals with disabilities at 3232 Henry Avenue. For more information, visit towerathenry.com.
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