Fellowship Village — Attraction in Bernards Township

Living on two acres with my Mother (87) and with my Dad (93) with a steep driveway which in the winter my Dad could not walk up and down any more, and with most of my friends becoming grandparents and moving closer to their grandchildren, and also being a Single Aunt with two younger brothers, I thought that it was a good time for myself and my parents to make a move that would be practical for the future. After looking at a few other Life Plan Communities we decided on Fellowship Village.

Besides it’s beautiful 72 acres, Fellowship Village is everything one can ask for to a 62 3/4- year old resident who has been here for 8 months. Everyone is so friendly: Administration, the Staff, and our fellow residents who are our neighbors.

Both, the Administration and the Staff are so receptive to not only my needs but to all the residents’ needs. There are so many activities. I love my Water Aerobics Class in which we have 7 days a week. I also enjoy the Photography Club where, as a team we think of themed exhibits. Because I and others are eagerly awaiting the extended walking path across the wetlands that will have a Bird Blind so that we can observe the wide variety of birds that fly above the grounds, one day my Mom and I spoke to the Director of Hospitality about the possibility for a lecture on “Birding.” The next week on the calendar it was announced that in the new theater there would be a “Great Course’s” Birding lecture every week for a few weeks. We now have about 12-15 residents who all look forward to that lecture each week.

On Sundays in the theater there has been an ongoing game of playing “Corn Hole.” My Dad (93) and I had never heard of or seen this game before January. It is one of the highlights of our week. Thus far my Dad is the Champion, with Herman (85) running at a close 2nd. And the cheering women, other women who watch us aim the bean bag are very important as they encourage us to keep it up.

There are other lecturers that cover such topics as “Electric Cars,” “Presidents,” “Italy,” the list goes on and on... Musicians give us solo concerts. So far we’ve enjoyed a fine pianist, a cellist. & a bagpiper. I could go on and one writing about the activities that are here at Fellowship.

Being at a Life Plan Community with three levels of care: Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Skilled Nursing makes me feel secure, in that when my brothers and I get old, I won’t have to be that “old aunt,” who will have to ask my nephew or one of my nieces for help since they will be taking care of my brothers. At the present I’m so blessed to be here at Fellowship so that I can still help my parents and be only a hallway away from them. The food is also delicious and the new “Wilson Tapas Bar and Patio” is good for “fine dining."

The most creative example of showing how wonderful Fellowship Senior Living is, was when the Pandemic first arrived, the Staff immediately created an in-house Broadcast TV station so when residents were placed in quarantine they could then continue with their exercise classes, continue with their art lessons, sing songs with Bob as he sits in the studio and strums on his guitar, and adding DVD performances, and “Great Courses,” lectures. In addition committees met via zoom.

When another resident tells us, “Oh, too bad you had to move in during COVID-19,” my Mom and I reply, “No, we feel it worked for us, we feel that moving in during the pandemic, the friendly greetings have grown into longer discussions and give us a chance to meet our new neighbors in a deeper way—always “socially distanced, I.e., six feet apart and always wearing masks.” And then waiting on the long lines for our two doses of the vaccine gave us another way to bond with our neighbors.

Yes, we feel very protected and loved by the other Residents, the Workers, the Staff, and the Administration. And yes, “at Fellowship Senior Living we are all family.” We’re very happy here at Fellowship Village, in...

I’m grateful to recently have spent 20 days, the toughest physical chapter of my life, at Fellowship Village sub-acute rehab in Basking Ridge and could not recommend it more. I was brought in on a stretcher following a nasty fall, walked out 20 days later (with the aid of a walker, ordered by Fellowship Village staff) due to the consistent encouragement, patience, expertise and healthy food so generously provided at Fellowship.

Admission process was fluid and easy to understand/navigate, Fellowship Village worked seamlessly with the hospital to make transfer arrangements. I was quickly settled into a lovely, spacious private room with a large, spotless bathroom and a big window with a pretty view of the grounds. When they visited, my family was very comfortable in the room as well as the lounge area. A mini fridge/freezer was helpful when I didn’t finish a meal as I could store it for later. The kitchen staff was fantastic and accommodating so I often had extra dessert in the fridge.

The facility itself is immaculate – cleanliness is the priority without a doubt. Once I was able to sit in a wheelchair and go outside, I greatly enjoyed the lovely grounds, which had a healing effect. Additionally, I felt safe at all times.

Transitioning from bedridden to walking could not have happened without the dedicated, expert PT/OT team: they were consistently encouraging, patient, understanding and yet firm in their assurance that with my effort and cooperation, I would get back on my feet. I was never rushed, but I was strongly urged to push myself forward.

The Nursing and Care staff is professional, cheerful, attentive - very good at their jobs; also, highly respectful of my personal dignity while attending to my needs. The on-staff doctor was proactive and caring. She worked with my existing medications and provided helpful suggesting that will provide life-long benefits. She also took time to listen and respond to my questions about my care and medical conditions.

The staff Social Workers managed so many things for me efficiently and effectively while I was at Fellowship. Anything I asked of them was handled quickly and carefully including both transitions in and out of the facility. Fellowship Village rehab’s manager’s office was right outside my room and any time I needed help with something, she provided excellent advice and assistance.

Weekly meetings with my family and the heads of Nursing, Nutrition and Social Work allowed me to understand a clear path forward. Communication among staff, me and my caretaker daughters flowed easily; questions were answered, and concerns were responded to resulting in not one surprise throughout my time at Fellowship.

Food – an all-important aspect in emotional and physical healing – was terrific: personalized, delicious, and nutritious. Staff who prepared my food seemed to take great pride in their work, and it showed.

The PT facility is remarkably well-equipped and appointed as well as clean. It was an easy place to be. Also, the time allotted for PT/OT was consistently generous - I never felt rushed.

PT/OT staff – the heart of Fellowship Village rehab – were uniformly experienced, enthusiastic, kind-hearted, encouraging, professionals. They were proactive, empathetic, and sympathetic yet persistent with showing me how to improve. They were also so encouraging and appreciative of my effort. Their recognition of how hard I was working made it easier to strive forward. I will be forever grateful for their help.

Submitted on behalf of my sister,...

Two months ago, my father made a significant transition in his life by moving into Fellowship Village's assisted living community. I am writing this review to share our experience and offer my wholehearted recommendation to those considering this facility for their loved ones.

From the outset, the staff at Fellowship Village played a pivotal role in easing this major life change. Their kindness and professionalism made the transition smooth and less daunting for both my father and our family. This initial experience set a positive tone for our ongoing interactions with the facility.

One of my primary concerns, naturally, was the level of care my father would receive. I am pleased to report that, thus far, my expectations have been not just met, but exceeded. The staff is not only friendly and helpful but also extremely responsive to changing situations. This adaptability gives me confidence that my father is receiving the personalized care he needs.

The facilities themselves are commendable. They are consistently clean and well-maintained, creating a comfortable and safe environment for residents. It’s evident that maintaining high standards is a priority for Fellowship Village, and it shows in every aspect of their operations.

A standout feature for me is the availability of 24-hour nursing care. Knowing that professional medical assistance is always at hand, regardless of the time of day, provides immense peace of mind. It assures me that immediate help is available should my father need it, which is a significant concern for anyone with an elderly parent in assisted living.

Furthermore, the presence of a skilled nursing facility on site is an invaluable resource. This aspect of Fellowship Village gives me additional comfort, knowing that more intensive medical care is readily accessible should the need arise. This comprehensive approach to resident care is a testament to their commitment to the well-being of their residents.

My experience with Fellowship Village has been overwhelmingly positive. The combination of a caring and capable staff, excellent facilities, and the comprehensive range of medical services available on site makes this community a standout choice. Based on my experience, I would recommend Fellowship Village to anyone looking for a high-quality assisted living community for...