Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

Developers eye empty nesters, seniors

New Apex, Fuquay communities bank on booming population

An expected influx of seniors to southwestern Wake County has prompted developers to kick off new communities targeting an older clientele, and promising about 85 jobs.

In Apex, Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs, the number of residents 55 or older is expected to grow by 50 percent by 2013, according to census estimates by Demographics Now. Overall, the population in the three towns is projected to grow 21 percent.

Developers broke ground last week on Cambridge Villages of Apex and Carillon Assisted Living of Fuquay-Varina. The projects will offer month-to-month contracts for residents age 55 and over, ranging from single rooms to apartment suites.

• Carillon has space for 96 residents at its project, which is at 6516 Johnson Pond Road in Fuquay-Varina. Thirty-six of those spots are reserved for patients with Alzheimer's or dementia. They target seniors who need assistance with meals, medications and walking around.

Fees start at $3,100 per month and include utilities, housekeeping and laundry services. Residents can also expect morning exercise, and after-dinner activity, music during dinner and a "move-in" buddy to share meals with and help get acquainted with the facility.

Raleigh-based Carillon has 13 locations in North Carolina. The company houses more than 750 seniors.

The Fuquay-Varina facility is accepting applications for about 70 positions, including personal care assistants, certified nursing aids, medication technicians, and jobs in the laundry room and kitchen. The company expects to be fully staffed and ready for new tenants by February.

• Cambridge Villages, which is at 951 South Hughes St. in Apex, is a senior independent living facility spread onto 14 acres near the new Walmart. Unlike Carillon, the project is not an assisted living facility and does not have licensed medical personnel on staff.

Cambridge has five apartment styles, starting at $2,600 per month. Fees include meals, utilities, weekly housekeeping, daily activities, transportation, a library, chapel, meeting, exercise and game rooms, an indoor swimming pool, café and bar.

There are 90 units available for early registration, although the facility won't be ready until November 2010.

Cambridge is owned by Oliver Development, a Raleigh firm that has similar facilities in Pittsboro and Roxboro. The company expects to hire for 15 new positions, and will be reviewing candidates a few months before opening.

Staff writer Justin Gerber contributed to this report.