Lokvani had an opportunity to follow up on a recent important announcement made by Cummings Foundation and Indian Circle for Caring USA Inc., (ICC) at 6th Leadership Council Meeting of leaders of Indian Organizations.  Here are excerpts of conversation with Girish Mehta, Founder and Executive Director of ICC.

Lokvani: Please tell us about recent Leadership Council Meeting of ICC.

Girish: ICC brings leaders of various Indian Organizations serving NE states at these meetings.  Recent meeting was attended by 41 leaders representing 25 organizations.  This is an opportunity to share information about ICC activities, new initiatives and progress as well as networking amongst the leaders.

Lokvani:  We understand that you had a major announcement about a new initiative for Retirement Living for Indian Seniors in Massachusetts.  Give us the highlights.

Girish:  We are very excited and thrilled to share the information about “India House” with our community through Lokvani.  Cummings Foundation and ICC are very pleased that, in just a few months, members of Indian community would have an opportunity to use Independent Living and Assisted Living facility designed to cater the need of our community here in Marlborough, Massachusetts.  

Lokvani: This seems like a timely and needed facility.  Tell us about some of the details.

Girish:  Cummings Foundation owns and operates a continuing care community called New Horizons at Marlborough, Massachusetts, which is a home of about 400 seniors.  On this beautiful campus of about 40 acres there are facilities for Independent Living and Assisted Living which is supplemented by independently run Alzheimer’s and Geri-Psych assisted living units.  India House would be an addition on the existing campus with 10 units for individuals or couples.  These units would be in varying size with one and two bedroom configuration on the first brand new floor to be completed by summer.

Lokvani: What would be some of the amenities available for the residents?

Girish: New Horizon residents currently enjoy heated indoor pool, social activities, educational classes, fitness classes, group outings and other enrichment offerings.  On campus amenities include library, banking, green house, computer lab, physician and dentist support and pharmacy amongst other things.  India House will provide a few additional culturally tailored items such as three home cooked Indian meals, a dining room, place for worship, and place for celebration of festivals and cultural events.

Lokvani: How did ICC learned about such a need for seniors in our community?

Girish: Over the years, some of the members in our community expressed that there was a need of such a facility and ICC should take an initiative to put together a solution.  During last few years we have investigated various models adult community, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and continuing care.  Upon analysis, continuing care model made the most sense, where there is a full range of facilities such as independent living, assisted living, and others suitable to seniors experiencing different scenarios depending upon their health and social needs. I have personally visited a number of facilities in Massachusetts, California, New Jersey and North Carolina to understand various options and solutions.  

As Indian Americans moves towards the golden years, life situation and health changes often require alternate living arrangements. The idea of an Indian American retirement community is one whose time has come

Lokvani:  Once you learned about it, what led you to this particular solution?

Girish: As a result our first step was to identify an organization with experience and expertise to build and run such a continuing care community.  We found Cummings Foundation, its leaders and staff to be an ideal partner to work with.  Cummings Foundation has proven track record of providing high quality, reasonably priced facilities where current resident consider “it is home”.

Our initial meeting with Mr. Bill Cummings, Founder and President of Cummings Foundation in August 2014 was very encouraging and with his vision and support, the project has moved very quickly.  He personally came to the Leadership Council meeting of ICC to share the details and answer questions from the attendees.

Lokvani:  What is the cost structure for prospective residents to consider?

Girish:  India House will have a total of 10 units, five of which will be one bedroom and others will be two bedroom units.  Monthly rates for these modern, newly renovated suites begin at $3,430 (depending upon the size of the unit and whether it is occupied by an individual or couple) and include three home-cooked Indian meals per day, as well as all charges for lodging, weekly housekeeping and linen service, activities, local transportation, water, electricity, heat, air conditioning, cable TV, local telephone, parking, and maintenance. 

Residents would be required to pay $30,000 deposit to reserve a unit, which is 100 percent refundable upon departure, and no lease contract is needed. 

Furthermore, all residents are guaranteed that there will be no increase in their monthly fee for at least five full years.

Lokvani:  Does ICC have any financial stake in the project?

Girish:  ICC has served community through its volunteering activities and other initiative as a service to the community.  This initiative is no different, in other words ICC has no financial interest in the project.  It is strictly a community service initiative.  Our role would be to facilitate and work with our community.

Lokvani:  How has our community responded in past month since announcement?

Girish: We have been working on three fronts.

First, to increase awareness in the community we have been working with media and group meetings to share introductory information with our community.  Lokvani’s help in this process would certainly be useful and very valued.  

Second, we have beginning to receive inquiries as a result of information on our website and other activities.  We are providing details of the project as well as answering their questions.

Third, we have started planned tours of the facility where a visitor can get firsthand experience, meet with the staff, and get their questions answered.  The first tour is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20th with five or more families will be joining!!

We encourage those who may be interested to contact ICC and learn more about this possibility.  

With a limited availability, fair cost structure and prompt availability we expect that these units will be fully subscribed well before its occupancy in summer 2015.

New Horizons at Marlborough, LLC is a wholly owned not-for-profit independent and assisted living retirement facility of Cummings Foundation, Inc.  For more information on the foundation, visit www.CummingsFoundation.org

Indian Circle for Caring USA Inc., (ICC), started in Aug. 2007, is a volunteer non-profit organization focused on providing urgent or emergency support for our fellow community members and their families as they may encounter unplanned events such as serious sickness, hospitalization, accidents, family crisis, and death of a loved one and / or bereavement situations.  ICC is a non-profit volunteer organization.

For additional information, any questions or would like to tour the property please contact Girish A. Mehta of ICC at email: Girishmehta.icc@gmail.com or call: 781-891-8810 or through ICC website: www.ouricc.org

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