Lap of luxury: New Carolina Colours' facility the future of senior, assisted living

A new senior living facility in New Bern may be the wave of the future for independent and assisted living communities.

Located at 3003 Waterscape Way in the Carolina Colours community, The Viridian is certainly unlike anything previously seen in Craven County. The resort-style senior living complex offers the ambience of a luxury hotel while providing around-the-clock medical and care services for residents.

According to Community Relations Director Rene Melby, The Viridian will offer 48 assisted living and 83 independent living units. With an opening date set for the end of July, the facility is already accepting applications for rooms, she said.

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Melby said the three-story assisted living facility will offer aid with daily living activities for seniors, such as medication management, transportation and personal care.

“If you need help with getting dressed or bathing, just that everyday assistance," she explained. "If you’re using a walker or in a wheelchair, you still want your independence but you can’t really do it by yourself.”

The facility offers single rooms as well as larger, two-bed, two-bath private suites with a full kitchen, designated laundry and an optional balcony or patio.

“They’re like large hotel rooms,” Melby said. “And if you have family members come in from out of state we’re going to have a room available for them also.”

The distinctness of The Viridian’s approach to senior living is apparent as soon as you walk into the main lobby, where visitors are greeted with a reception area featuring a fireplace and a grand piano.

But what really sets The Viridian apart are the amenities offered.

A salon and barber shop are available for residents, who also have the option of bringing in their own stylist. The Viridian also offers a spa with a walk-in jacuzzi; a bar with a daily happy hour and two big screen TVs; a theatre room with cushioned recliners and surround sound; a gym; a mailroom and a separate dining area that can be reserved for special occasions like birthdays.

In addition to a spacious central dining room, the facility also has a courtyard for both assisted and independent living residents and full-service housekeeping and concierge service.

Staff will also provide transportation for residents who want to go into town.

“We wanted to make this a place where people will feel at home, not feel like they don’t have a life anymore,” Melby said. “We want to add life to their years and years to their life.”

A new approach to a growing community

Ken Kirkman, the developer of Carolina Colours, said The Viridian already has residents lined up to move in when it's completed.

“They anticipate that it will fill up relatively quickly,” Kirkman said.

According to Kirkman, he and his partners have received requests from property owners to build a senior living facility within Carolina Colours since development began in 2005.

According to the latest census data, of the 31,291 people living in New Bern, 21.8% are over the age of 65

“There hadn’t been a new assisted living facility, at least that is not subsidized, built in New Bern in quite a number of years,” Kirkman said. “There’s very strong demand.”

Melby agreed that The Viridian’s location is an important asset for the new facility.

“Carolina Colours is growing. We have a lot of people moving in from out of state because their adult children are here and a resort setting is what they’re looking for because they don’t want a hospital-like environment,” she noted. “New Bern is a retirement community and this is another option to benefit this area.”

Melby said she believes The Viridian will also draw those who haven’t yet reached retirement age.

“There are plenty of people over 55 still working," she said. "They can’t retire yet but they could live here.”

To find out more about The Viridian, call (252) 631-9685 or visit https://lifeattheviridian.com/about-us/#amenities.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Luxury comes to Craven County in form of The Viridian living facility