Assisted care options expand in Lakewood Ranch

Annette Ducatelli and her husband, Bob, peer into the “alcove” resident model, a room slightly bigger than a studio with a separate bathroom. They both agreed it was a nice size for one person, and Bob Ducatelli pulled out his iPhone to take a video of the accommodations.

The two Rosedale residents were exploring the apartment layouts at Inspired Living at Lakewood Ranch, which held its grand opening Thursday, Sept. 17. Since the independent and assisted-living facility is close to Rosedale, they are hoping to find some suitable accommodations for Annette’s mother. When her mother visits, she stays with them, Annette said. The couple wants her to move near

them permanently, but they know she would like having a place of her own with nearby neighbors.

“She’s very social,” she said. “She needs her peers around her.”

Inspired Living at Lakewood Ranch, owned by Validus Senior Living, is the newest addition to the local market for both independent retirement and assisted living. It also offers living for memory care, which caters to those with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other conditions. It joins the Windsor of Lakewood Ranch in available assisted-living and memory care options east of I-75.

It’s the seventh Inspired Living community on the Gulf Coast, said Christina Driscoll, the executive director for the new location. But unlike the other communities, such as the one in Sarasota or Brandon, the Lakewood Ranch location is the first to offer the independent and assisted living options in addition to the memory care residences.

“We decided as a company there was a need for more than that. This way people can live in the community and have access to further service,” Driscoll said.

The Lakewood Ranch location offers 42 memory care apartments, and a three-story facility with 82 apartments for other residents. There are studio, alcove, and one- and two-bedroom layout options.

The facility is spread on a parcel of about five acres, which includes a lake stocked with fish. Residents can practice catch and release there, Driscoll said. It also has an outdoor pool, tiki bar, nature trail and dog park. In addition to satisfying the needs of the residents, these additional amenities are meant to make Inspired Living a pleasant and enjoyable visit for the resident’s family, too.

“We’ve designed the community to be so family focused,” Driscoll said.

The new facility will employ about 60 people to start; as apartments fill up, that number will increase to 120 or more, she said. Before the grand opening, Inspired Living already had 38 deposits from people wanting an apartment. Move-ins will begin later in September.

“We have lots of people ready to move on it,” she said.