Fort Schuyler House put its best foot forward during an open house that brought out the best the facility has to offer.
The community was welcomed into the supportive living facility at 3077 Cross Bronx Expressway on Friday, April 29 for a presentation and tour of the apartments. Apartments in the 142-unit facility are available to seniors ages 62 and up.
Representatives from the facility, as well as the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, which provides in-house supportive services to seniors in need of medical attention, were on hand. Councilman Jimmy Vacca also made an appearance and spoke to potential applicants.
“I think that the open house was great because we had a lot of people come to the open house, especially with the stiff competition from the Royal Wedding,” said Fort Schuyler House executive director Cheryl Dennis. “There are not too many places in New York City that can offer all we offer for $718 a month.”
The facility has unfurnished studio and one-bedroom apartments, is wired for both cable television and air conditioning, andcomes equipped with kitchenettes.
Seniors can choose to take part in a lunch and dinner food delivery plan, having their meals prepared for them for an extra fee, or to cook on their own.
“It is important to understand the seriousness of the shortage of senior housing,” Vacca said. “I often recommend Schuyler House and believe it has taken a step in the right direction.”
The environment is safe and clean, Vacca said, and close to home for seniors who are often from Throggs Neck and the surrounding area.
One of those seniors from Throggs Neck already living at the facility is 86-year-old Helen Corrigan, who said that medical support from VNSNY was crucial when she was recovering from three surgeries, including open-heart surgery, she said.
The nurse from VNSNY would come into her apartment in the morning and make sure she was squared away for the day, Corrigan said, and then come back later.
“The nurse would come back and check on me during the day and it was important that they would do that,” Corrigan said. “That was important because these were very serious surgeries and I needed the help.”
Bernice Byrne, 91, wanted to live at Fort Schuyler House because it is close to two of her children who live in Throggs Neck, among other reasons.
“They treat you like adults here and the staff are such nice people and there is nothing that they would not do for you,” Byrne said. “The people are your age, they have activities and resources for you, and it is a social place.”
For more information on apartments in Fort Schuyler House call (718) 597-4100.
