Special to the Ledger

Rendering of the new Jewish Senior Services campus at 4200 Park Ave.

FAIRFIELD – Jewish Senior Services, also known as The Jewish Home, has started construction on a new intergenerational campus on Park Avenue that will allow for the creation of the first “household” model nursing home in the State of Connecticut.

The organization also announced that Sacred Heart University has agreed to purchase Jewish Senior Services’ current property on Jefferson Street in Fairfield for $16.5 million after the relocation is completed in 2016. The purchase will add 15.6 acres of adjacent land to Sacred Heart’s main campus.

Sacred Heart University’s main campus has been adjacent to what is currently Jewish Senior Services since 1963. The two organizations have worked collaboratively for more than 40 years to educate health care professionals, and will continue their partnership after the move.

In addition to the construction of a new nursing home, Jewish Senior Services will develop the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus, a new intergenerational community. Construction on the new Park Avenue site is expected to be completed by spring 2016.

“Jewish Senior Services is thrilled to lead the way in bringing the household model of nursing home care to Connecticut. We believe this model will improve the quality of life not only for our residents, but for their families as well,” said Andrew H. Banoff, president and CEO of Jewish Senior Services.

“The household model of nursing home care has a residential design and supports the philosophy of person-centered care. Each household will include 14 private bedrooms and bathrooms for residents with a shared kitchen, dining and living room area, thereby improving the overall quality of life provided,” added Banoff.

According to Banoff, the full range of Jewish Senior Services’ programs will continue to be offered on the new campus, including long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, geriatric assessment and an adult day program. The new campus will also house offices for Jewish Senior Services’ programs offered throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties, such as home care, hospice, Institute on Aging, Center for Elder Abuse Prevention and Senior Choice at Home. Jewish Senior Services plans to add assisted living at its new location.