By building a community where older adults can find all the things important to them - lifestyle, luxury, location and life care - The Amsterdam at Harborside intends to create a truly unique experience that makes it the premier address for retirement living on Long Island.
“The Amsterdam at Harborside will be a community where older adults enjoy an active lifestyle surrounded by luxury amenities they worked hard to deserve,” said James Davis, president and CEO of Amsterdam House Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Inc., which sponsors The Amsterdam at Harborside. “This lifestyle is available in a beautiful setting that gives residents easy access to local shopping, dining and recreation, while just a train ride from the attractions of New York City. We are also one of only a few communities in New York to offer life care, which guarantees residents quality long-term health care, if ever needed. Everything you want for a picture-perfect retirement is at your fingertips at The Amsterdam.”
The Amsterdam at Harborside will be built on nine acres in the north shore Long Island town of Port Washington. It is one of only nine life care communities approved and regulated by the state of New York. The $259 million community will include 260 independent living apartment homes, 34 private apartments for assisted living and 40 skilled nursing suites. Residents will have the opportunity to enjoy maintenance-free living in an upscale apartment or elegant penthouse customized to their tastes with high-quality finishes from a variety of options.
“For people unfamiliar with the concept of life care, what it does is encourage older adults to embrace an active lifestyle because they are surrounded by people, amenities and activities that match their interests,” said Davis. “If an individual does develop a need for health care, it is provided onsite within the community in which they live.”
Embracing An Active Lifestyle
The Amsterdam at Harborside encourages not only an active lifestyle for residents, but also an active lifestyle of their choice. A wide variety of resort-style amenities support almost any passion or interest.
For those residents focused on enhancing their health and physical fitness, The Amsterdam will have an on-site state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, and a wide variety of health and wellness classes and programs. Individuals who want entertainment will find a media/television room, theater, billiards room, and card and game lounge. Residents who enjoy working with their hands can utilize an arts and crafts studio, woodworking shop, or greenhouse and community garden area. A business center with Internet-ready computer stations and a well-stocked library will await residents who want to pursue intellectual activities.
“One of the best aspects of an active lifestyle that will be available at The Amsterdam at Harborside is you will have neighbors around who share your hobbies and pursuits,” said Davis. “There will not be a shortage of people in your age range who are up for a game of golf or tennis, working in the garden, taking a class, attending a play or walking a few miles each week. In addition to the activities and programs we offer, we will encourage residents to form and join interest groups inside and outside the community. The Amsterdam will offer a very friendly and social ambiance.”
As an accent to the active lifestyle at The Amsterdam at Harborside, Davis said the community will host cultural, social, educational and recreational opportunities for residents to enjoy. Davis said an example might include a night out at the nearby performing arts center for a concert, or inviting a resident jazz trio to play for their friends and neighbors. Additionally, The Amsterdam will offer educational programs and lectures for those seeking to continue their lifelong learning.
Since life at The Amsterdam at Harborside is maintenance-free, Davis said residents will find more time to devote to those hobbies and interests they enjoy. The community performs exterior and interior building and apartment maintenance, and tends to the landscaped grounds. Residents will also enjoy weekly housekeeping and flat linen service.
“If you like to travel, you can pack up and go for a few weeks, knowing everything is secure and being taken care of at home,” said Davis.
A New Class of Luxury
The lifestyle at The Amsterdam at Harborside will not only be active and maintenance-free, but will include luxuries at every turn, such as concierge services and valet parking.
“Today, many of those over age 65 have worked all their lives and saved or invested wisely so they can afford a finer lifestyle,” said Davis. “At The Amsterdam, we have paid attention to the details that allow us to exceed their highest expectations.”
According to Davis, this attention to detail is highlighted in areas such as dining, which is a resort-style experience filled with quality on-site options. The Amsterdam offers residents the daily option of fine dining in a formal setting, a casual meal or eating in a bistro caf. A chef will oversee preparation of meals that feature gourmet food, with nutritional and healthy eating options for those watching their diets or with special dietary needs. A private dining setting also is available for residents to use as needed for special occasions.
Additional luxury touches are incorporated throughout The Amsterdam at Harborside designed for the ease and comfort of residents. Within the community will be a banking center, a beauty salon and barbershop, and a convenience store. The Amsterdam will provide regularly scheduled group transportation. The community has been designed to include underground parking with a valet and 24-hour monitored security. The luxury begins even before you arrive at The Amsterdam, with personalized moving coordination for a smooth arrival to your new home.
The Perfect Location
Given the quality of The Amsterdam at Harborside, inside and out, Davis said the nine-acre site in Port Washington provides the perfect setting. The Amsterdam will be located within walking distance of Hempstead Harbor on West Shore Road, adjacent to Harbor Links Golf Course.
“The town of Port Washington is full of the character and charm you'd expect to find in a Long Island seaside village, while still having an abundance of attractions,” said Davis. “You can shop along the Miracle Mile with its national brand stores and local specialty shops, attend theater and concert performances, stroll through museums and tour any number of cultural destinations in the area.”
The Port Washington area provides recreation opportunities involving both sea and land. The town boasts several marinas and a town dock, charter boats and sea cruises, a number of parks with some including beach access, and many golf courses within a short drive. Also conveniently close by is Roslyn, a town teeming with quaint shops and restaurants for residents to explore.
For those residents of The Amsterdam who want to head to the bright lights of New York City, the Port Washington train station sits along the Long Island Rail Road line that runs through Queens, past Shea Stadium and right into the center of the city.
The Peace Of Mind Of Life Care
Of all the aspects about The Amsterdam at Harborside that make it unique, the community's life care program is among the least known, yet most valuable, assets. Life care provides residents with guaranteed lifetime access to future long-term health care, including on-site enriched housing and skilled nursing, if ever needed.
The Amsterdam is the only true life care community in Nassau County, a designation which required approval by the New York State Department of Health and other state agencies.
“What life care does is provide peace of mind and financial security,” said Davis. “Residents and their loved ones will know that quality care will be given if any long-term health care needs arise. Individuals also don't have to worry about moving again if they or their spouse develop an illness, which can add even more stress to a health issue.”
The Amsterdam at Harborside is affiliated with the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. The organization operates 15 hospitals in the region and has more than a 140-year history of providing quality, compassionate care.
“As we envisioned The Amsterdam at Harborside, we wanted our residents to have the best in everything we provide,” said Davis. “Our affiliation with North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System represents the finest health care available.”
Life care is provided as part of the one-time refundable resident deposit and predicable monthly service fee. Life care protects residents of The Amsterdam from unknown future health care costs, while also providing sound estate preservation. A large portion of the one-time resident deposit is refundable to the resident's estate, depending on the flexible residency option selected.
“With life care, there is a certainty of what future health care costs will be, because they are included in the predictable monthly fee,” said Davis. “Our residents do not face the ongoing worry that a future illness will force them to spend the money they worked so hard to save for themselves and their family.”
A Long History of Caring
The Amsterdam at Harborside is sponsored by Amsterdam House Continuing Care Retirement Community, Inc. (AHCCRC), a committed, local not-for-profit organization. AHCCRC is affiliated with Amsterdam Nursing Home, which was founded in New York City more than 134 years ago and offers a long-standing tradition of delivering quality services.
“Our organization felt there was a definite need in the area for a life care community that provided an upscale and active focus,” said Davis. “A lot of older adults face questions about their retirement that keep them from truly enjoying it. We wanted to offer a lifestyle that didn't have those worries, just options to make life even better.”
According to Davis, the best way to get a full appreciation of the lifestyle The Amsterdam at Harborside offers is to make a short trip to the community's Information Center, which is located at 300 E. Overlook in Port Washington. The Information Center features an architectural model of the community, virtual tours of residence options and a design studio to showcase the quality of the interior finish customization options. To schedule a tour, inquire about informational seminars or to have a friendly representative answer all your questions about The Amsterdam, please call toll-free 800-365-0665. Information on The Amsterdam is also available on the Internet at www.theamsterdamatharborside.com.
