Hebrew SeniorLife Blog

Tips and resources to help you navigate the joys and challenges of aging, from Boston's trusted expert in senior care.

Hollingshead Named ED for Assisted Living at NewBridge on the Charles

Hollingshead brings proven leadership to HSL’s Senior Living Community

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BOSTON — Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL), the largest nonprofit provider of integrated senior health care and communities in New England, and an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, announced the appointment of Matthew Hollingshead as Executive Director for Assisted Living at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, Mass.

NewBridge on the Charles, one of five Senior Living Communities sponsored by HSL, is a Continuing Care Retirement Community that includes Independent Living, Assisted Living and Long-Term Care. NewBridge Assisted Living is a 91-unit housing complex with both traditional and memory-support apartments. Hollingshead will lead and direct Assisted Living’s overall operations, while collaborating with his Senior Living and Health Care colleagues from across HSL.

“I’m so pleased to have Matt on our Senior Living team. He brings a wealth of operational and managerial expertise to his new role as Executive Director,” said Kim Brooks, HSL’s Vice President for Senior Living.

Prior to joining HSL, Hollingshead spent 10 years with Erickson Living at Linden Ponds, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Hingham, Mass., where he served in a number of roles, most recently as the Assistant Administrator. “I am honored to join HSL—an organization that sets and reinvents the gold standard in senior living. The employees and residents exude passion and excellence. HSL is a breath of fresh air and I am so excited to be welcomed into such a phenomenal community,” said Hollingshead.

About Hebrew SeniorLife

Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching and redefining the possibilities of aging. Based in Boston, the non-profit, non-sectarian organization has provided communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers since 1903. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org or connect on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook, or read our blog.

Offered in your home throughout Greater Boston and at the following locations:

Short-Term Skilled Nursing Visits, 24/7

Hebrew SeniorLife Home Health will send registered nurses and home health aides to your home to provide skilled care, any time you need it. Let us help you through the bumps in the road and get you back on the path to wellness. We can support you with the following conditions and situations:

  • Acute illness care for falls and conditions such as diabetes, chronic heart failure, COPD, and cancer
  • Post-surgical care following orthopedic, spinal, heart, and other surgeries
  • Wound care
  • IV therapy
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
  • Palliative care

Wellness Support and Specialty Programs

Sometimes, it’s tough to get to the doctor’s office to get support and ask questions — whether about new medications, the use of assistive devices, or other concerns. A visit from a home health provider is a wellness benefit you are entitled to through insurance — there is no hospitalization required.

The types of supports we can provide include:

  • Home safety evaluations
  • Fall prevention strategies
  • Medication education and management
  • Use of adaptive equipment and patient transfers
  • Nutrition education
  • Medical social work
  • Low-vision strategies
  • Telehealth technology

Thank you so very much for all your excellent care for my patient! You went above and beyond the call of duty in every way. – A Primary Care Physician

Eligibility and Payment

Hospitalization is not required — but a physician’s referral is. Services are based on your individual needs and the plan of care is developed in close consultation with your primary care physician. Hebrew SeniorLife Home Health works with all Massachusetts hospitals and physician groups.

In addition to Medicare, we take many insurance plans.

Woman with stethoscope takes blood pressure of man seated in arm chair.

Get Well, Stay Well

How Home Health Can Help Seniors Avoid Rehospitalization

Learn the top 3 reasons seniors bounce back into the hospital and how home health services can make a difference. 

Read Our Blog
In Home Service Area Map

Home Visits Throughout Greater Boston

Our Service Area

Our home health team serves seniors in their homes throughout Greater Boston including most neighborhoods of Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Quincy, Medfield, Milton, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, and Westwood.

Harvard Medical School students confer with Dr. Jennifer Rhodes-Kropf

A World-Class Collaboration

Our Harvard Medical School Affiliation

Our Harvard Medical School affiliation benefits patients, residents, and students, connecting us to one of the richest biomedical research collectives in the world. As the only senior care organization affiliated with Harvard, we use our expertise in geriatric medicine to train the clinicians and researchers of tomorrow.

Learn About Our Affiliation

From Our Blog

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From Our Blog

Six Questions to Ask a Home Health Agency About COVID-19

Is it still safe to use home care?

Many caregivers such as home health aides are still caring for seniors and going inside patient’s homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus has changed the way caregivers think about interacting and socializing with others. Home health and visiting nurse...

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When to Consider Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care

Hospice care treats conditions and symptoms to increase patient comfort; it is not curative in nature. Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care is particularly equipped to serve older adult patients who may be experiencing illnesses including, but not limited to:

  • Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
  • Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases
  • Heart and lung diseases
  • Kidney and liver diseases
  • Cancer

We realize that every person is unique. Our team is available to answer your questions and provide an evaluation.

Patients receiving long-term chronic care at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center receive similar interdisciplinary end-of-life care through our palliative care team.

Beginning Hospice Care

Because we believe hospice care supports the entire last chapter of a patient’s life, it is helpful to start hospice early in the progression of a terminal illness. Patients may be discharged from hospice care if their terminal condition improves, if they wish to return to curative treatment, or if they elect to resume daily life without any medical intervention.

Paying for Hospice Care

Hospice care is fully covered by Medicare as well as most other insurance plans. To qualify, the patient’s condition must be incurable with a life expectancy of approximately six months or less. The benefit does not “cut off” at the end of the initial six-month period, however. As long as the hospice physician continues to certify a six-month life expectancy and the patient wishes to remain with hospice care, the benefit can be extended.

If the terminal condition improves, the patient can be discharged from hospice and return to curative treatment, or resume daily life without any medical intervention. If need be, patients can later return to hospice care.

Anyone can make a referral to Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care—a patient, a family member, a physician, or a nurse. To learn more, or make a referral, call us at 781-234-9950.

Related Links

Volunteers are the heart of our hospice program. Hospice care places extraordinary value on the selfless sharing of time, energy, and compassion by individuals for others at their most vulnerable time of life. As a hospice uniquely knowledgeable in Jewish traditions, we are pleased to offer this opportunity for volunteers of all faiths to perform the mitzvah (Jewish religious commandment) of bikkur holim (visiting the sick).

Learn More about Being a Hospice Volunteer

We are here to guide you through the application process as well as the meaningful work ahead. Please note that we are not currently accepting applications. If you would like to be added to the wait list, please call Lesley Orlinsky at 781-234-9186.

Direct Patient Involvement
Volunteers provide company and social interaction to patients and family caregivers. You may sit quietly with a patient who is resting, or engage in conversation, read aloud, write a letter, reminisce, or play an instrument. A volunteer’s presence may provide much needed respite for the caregiver to take care of themselves, their home, and other members of their family. You might have the occasion to prepare a light meal, provide transportation, or take care of some basic shopping.

Administrative Support
Our busy hospice care office would love your help with administrative tasks, such as filing, answering phones, mailings, or preparing for an event.

Alternative Therapies
Are you trained as a massage, music, or pet therapist, Reiki practitioner, or aromatherapist? Gain satisfaction using your skills with our patients and families.

Special Skills
Like to scrapbook? Are you a licensed hairdresser? Do you play an instrument or practice yoga? We invite you to use your special talents to enhance our patients’ lives.

Our program requires participation in a 20-hour training program. This training will qualify you to competently provide services following the standards of Medicare and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, as well as provide training on the wide range of Jewish perspectives and practices around end of life. The group training meets weekly for a seven-week period.

Volunteers are asked to provide a minimum of two to four hours, spread over one or two visits, each week. Timing of the visits is flexible and is determined by the mutual needs of the patient, family, and the volunteer’s personal schedule. You must be willing to drive to visit patients in local communities. Documentation of visits is required of all volunteers.

Our volunteer services manager works to not only recruit, train, and assign our volunteers but also to support each of them throughout their work. Hebrew SeniorLife also provides opportunities for continuing education and monthly volunteer gatherings to support you in this important work. As a valued member of the hospice team, you work alongside nurses, social workers, complementary therapists, and our chaplain.

Please note that we are not currently accepting applications. If you would like to be added to the wait list, please call Lesley Orlinsky at 781-234-9186.

In addition to the training program, requirements include a written application, an interview, reference checks, and medical/CORI clearance. To begin this process, you can fill out an application here. Please call us at 781-234-9186 with any questions about our program.

Older man with glasses

A Volunteer Shares His Experience

Hospice volunteer Bill Shulman describes the experience as surprisingly joyful.

Woman sitting talking

The Importance of Hospice Volunteers

Sara Smolover, former volunteer services manager, explains the crucial role of volunteers within the larger hospice team.

What People are saying about Hebrew SeniorLife

  • "The comfort my family has received from hospice led me to become a volunteer to help ease the path for patients and offer support and relief to their caretakers. Whatever the specifics of a visit — taking a walk together, sharing a cup of tea, listening to cherished memories — being truly present is a gift. Not just to the patients and their loved ones, but to the volunteers whose lives are enriched by this profound human connection."

    Cynthia Bronner Headshot

    Cynthia Broner

    Volunteer and Family Member

  • "For me, being a hospice volunteer is both an honor and a privilege to know that my visits free the family of their concern of not being able to constantly be attending to the dying patient —even if just for a little while — and, hopefully, give comfort to the hospice patient, as well."

    Linda Curtis Headshot

    Linda Curtis

    Hospice Volunteer

Related Links

Let Our Family Support Yours

As a Harvard Medical School affiliate, Hebrew SeniorLife’s mission is to help older adults maximize their potential at every stage of life. It is through that same lens that we approach hospice care.

Guided as much as possible by each patient’s personal preferences and care goals, Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care works to bring meaning and fulfillment during the final stage of life, in addition to providing comfort and management of symptoms related to a patient’s illness.

Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care is uniquely knowledgeable in Jewish traditions, with a pastoral team trained to serve all. We honor the diversity of Jewish sensibilities and spiritual perspectives around life and death. As desired, we are able to offer guidance informed by Jewish values and traditions in line with each patient’s orientation. The sanctity of life and dignity of each individual are foremost in Jewish thought and in our patient care.

With a deep-rooted appreciation for the universal spiritual dimensions of life, our hospice care team is also trained to meet the spiritual needs of patients of all religions, cultures, races, sexual orientations, gender expressions, and class backgrounds.

Learn more about Jewish thought around end-of-life issues and hospice care in our Question & Answers about Hebrew SeniorLife's Approach to Jewish Hospice.

Patients receiving long-term chronic care at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center receive similar interdisciplinary end-of-life care through our palliative care team.

Close up of black dog's kind face being pet.

Live This Day

Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care

Live with comfort and companions to reminisce. Plan your day around what matters most to you. This is what Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care is all about. Watch the video for more information.

In Home Service Area Map

Home Visits Throughout Greater Boston

Our Service Area

Our hospice care team serves seniors throughout Greater Boston. We serve most neighborhoods of the City of Boston including Dorchester, as well as Braintree, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Medfield, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood and Weymouth.

Harvard Medical School students confer with Dr. Jennifer Rhodes-Kropf

A World-Class Collaboration

Our Harvard Medical School Affiliation

Our Harvard Medical School affiliation, and our commitment to research and education, means that we bring the latest innovations in care to patients and residents.

Read About Our Affiliation
Donate to hospice care in Greater Boston

Join a Caring Community

Donate to Hospice Care

Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care relies on the generosity of donors to help us support families with compassion and dignity during the final stages of life. With your gift, you can bring comfort to patients and their loved ones.

Give Today

From Our Blog

Rabbi Joel Barron comforts someone by placing his hand on their shoulder.

From Our Blog

Understanding the Role of a Hospice Care Team

Learn about the different people who make up a multidisciplinary hospice team, and how they can help you and your family.

Being with a loved one at the end of their life is one of the most emotional experiences we go through as humans. For some people, the fear of dying or of death itself can loom large and cause a...

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Related Links

Offered in your home throughout Greater Boston and at the following locations:

Services to Support the Whole Patient

We offer whole-patient care through a range of services including:

  • Nursing care with consistent staff assignment and 24-hour telephone coverage for urgent concerns. After hours and weekend visits arranged as needed.
  • Aide care visits scheduled as needed to offer focused care around bathing and feeding, as well as provide brief respite for caregivers.
  • Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice at Orchard Cove offers a hospice option within our long-term care community to adults in need of end-of-life care.
  • Medical social workers with consistent assignment, skilled in assisting and guiding patients and their families through issues related to the special needs and emotional stresses inherent to this most vulnerable population.
  • Complementary services, such as massage therapy, reiki, music therapy, and pet therapy.
  • Pastoral-care providers offering spiritual care and support to patients and families/caregivers of all faiths, as well as a deep familiarity with Jewish traditions.
  • Volunteer companionship, so you and your loved one can have the support of a gentle, engaging visitor to ease the hours with conversation, quiet company, or caregiver respite.
  • Family/bereavement support to guide family members in anticipation of loss and provide grief support through a 13-month period following death.

Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care is a recipient of the Hospice CAHPS Award of Distinction, which is awarded to hospice organizations that demonstrate superior performance in patient satisfaction.

Learn more about Jewish thought around end-of-life issues and hospice care in our Question & Answers about Hebrew SeniorLife's Approach to Jewish Hospice.

Patients receiving long-term chronic care at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center receive similar interdisciplinary end-of-life care through our palliative care team.

Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice at Orchard Cove

Orchard Cove offers a hospice option within our long-term care community to adults in need of end-of-life care. For patients who are no longer able to be cared for at home or simply prefer a residential setting, this provides a unique opportunity for seamless round-the-clock care by Hebrew SeniorLife, the only senior care organization affiliated with Harvard Medical School. 

Here, your loved one will be cared for by Orchard Cove’s interdisciplinary team of geriatricians, nurse practitioners, nurses, nursing assistants, and social workers, while also being supported in seamless partnership with Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care. Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care works in tandem with Orchard Cove clinicians to provide fulfillment and meaning during the final stage of life, as well as comfort and symptom management. These additional hospice services include, but are not limited to: 

  • Complementary care, such as massage therapy, reiki, music therapy, and pet therapy; 
  • Spiritual care and support to patients and families/caregivers of all faiths, with deep expertise in Jewish traditions;
  • Volunteer companionship, so you and your loved one can have the support of a gentle, engaging visitor to ease the hours with conversation or quiet company; and
  • Family support to guide family members in anticipation of loss and provide grief support.

Patients in this program pay the current private pay daily rates for long-term care at Orchard Cove. The additional hospice services described above are covered by Medicare and most private insurance, with no additional cost to the recipient.

To learn more about Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice at Orchard Cove, or to refer a patient, please contact Jennifer Linehan at 781-821-3227. 

Family Member Testimonial

 

You have done more for my family in the short time we’ve known you than I can possibly say. And when hearing that a rabbi was part of the hospice team, it was a huge source of comfort during the toughest of days. 

 

View Hospice Care Eligibility or Hospice Care Overview for more information.

Offered at:

Imagine living in a community where you have access to a wellness team that understands your health needs and can help you coordinate care with your primary care team, specialists, insurance providers, in-home caregivers, and more. A team that will help you address and overcome any barriers you may face to preventing illness and managing chronic conditions.

At Hebrew SeniorLife, we’ve made this vision for helping seniors live their best lives a reality through an approach that supports older adults right where they live, with services that connect the dots and provide the tools and education seniors need to get and stay healthy. 

We’ve integrated housing and care by taking the traditional model of senior housing and adding supportive services that focus on health, wellness, and prevention.

R3: Right Care, Right Place, Right Time

The Right Care, Right Place, Right Time Initiative - also known as R3 - is an innovative program that integrates wellness teams into senior housing communities. It was created by Hebrew SeniorLife to support residents in proactively managing their health by effectively linking housing and health care.

The goal of R3 is to improve lives, reduce costs, and help seniors stay independent and at home longer. 

The program won the Pioneer Institute 2017 Better Government Competition and The John A. Hartford Foundation 2021 Business Innovation Award.

Wellness Teams Help Residents Stay Healthy

The R3 model includes a wellness nurse and wellness coordinator working on-site with the existing housing team to provide supportive services to residents. Our focus is on improving health outcomes and quality of life.

Staff reach out regularly to individual residents to engage them around their health and wellness. Through these conversations they work to understand the barriers residents might face in remaining healthy, then follow up to address needs and connect them to resources. The wellness team also provides individualized case management and support, all centered around the resident’s choice and preferences.

In addition to the work of the wellness teams, all staff in the community - including maintenance, dining, administrators, and social work - are trained to contribute to care coordination efforts.

I feel like it’s a second family. I can go down and talk to them when I’m feeling blue and they really help me. 

The type of support the wellness team can provide includes:

  • Connecting residents to services to address key needs such as mental health, brain health, nutrition, and chronic disease management. 
  • Coordinating care after a hospital or rehab stay to ensure smooth transitions back home.
  • Serving as a link between primary care and other providers.
  • Leading on-site health education and wellness programming around topics of interest to residents.

Our purpose is to empower residents in managing their health so they can stay active and engaged in their community - living their best life.

I have the sense that for almost any physical or medical problem, I’ve got somebody to talk to….being checked in with regularly does feel good. 

Impact of Housing and Care Integration

The R3 program has been proven to support the health of residents who participate. An evaluation of the demonstration project provided by the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston determine that the initiative resulted in:

  • A 16% decline in inpatient hospitalization rate and 22% decline in 30-day hospital readmission rates
  • A 19% decrease in trips to the emergency room
  • A 25% decline in total days admitted to a hospital per resident
  • 90% of identified service needs being met

Resident satisfaction with the program is high: 87% of participants would recommend it to a friend.

The wellness nurse helped me organize my medication. She made a chart for me and I’ve got it hanging on my wall so I make sure I know what I’m taking. 

Research published in the journal Health Services Research showed that the partnerships between health care systems and affordable housing sites developed in R3 improve health care outcomes while reducing unnecessary spending and/or use. 

Read More About the Research

Where to Find R3

R3 is part of life at Hebrew SeniorLife’s three supportive living communities: Center Communities of Brookline, Jack Satter House in Revere, and Simon C. Fireman Community in Randolph.

It is also being implemented at a growing list of senior housing communities outside of Hebrew SeniorLife in Greater Boston and across the country.

You must live in an R3 community to use the services of the wellness team.

Woman wellness coach sitting with woman resident

See R3 in action

The best way to learn how integrated care and housing works is by hearing directly from the residents and staff who participate.

Woman wellness coach with man senior

Bring R3 to Your Community

If you work in senior housing and would like to bring R3 to your community, Hebrew SeniorLife can help. We can consult on planning and implementation, or provide full service staffing and rollout of the model.

See How We Can Help

Center Communities of Brookline is completing construction on a new building at 108 Centre Street with 54 one-bedroom apartments and expanded community space. Residents will have access to a rich calendar of activities, health and fitness programs, social workers, and our award-winning R3: Right Care, Right Place, Right Time program, which integrates wellness teams into the community to proactively support health.

108 Centre St Rendering

Affordable Housing Eligibility

Residency is open to all age- and income-qualified persons in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and familial status. 

All of the new apartments are affordable senior supportive housing. You or a member of your household must be 62 years of age or older to live there. Income qualifications apply:

16 units are reserved for seniors earning at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI)
38 units are reserved for seniors earning at or below 60% of AMI

Maximum Gross Annual Income for EligibilityMinimum IncomeMonthly Rent
# of UnitsAMI1 Person2 People1 BedroomUnit Count
1630%$34,260$39,180N/AIncome Based*
3860%$68,520$78,360$55,080$1,836

Mobile voucher holders are encouraged to apply.

*These units have a project-based subsidy and applicants must meet the requirements of the applicable subsidy programs. 

Questions & Answers

How to Apply

The first residents were selected by lottery on August 21, 2024. This process was in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity guidelines to ensure access for persons from communities that may historically have had difficulty accessing affordable housing.
Applications are still encouraged and will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please follow the steps below.

Request an Application

Submit Completed Application

For more information or if you or a family member has a disability or limited English proficiency, and as a result need assistance completing the application and/or require any assistance during the application process, please call 617-363-8392 | Relay 711.

Affordable Housing Lottery

The lottery concluded on August 21, 2024. Below, please find the lottery results. Please note that your lottery number is just one step in the ranking process. The order in which we must process households is also based on preferences for which applicants may be eligible (unit type, program type, income restriction, local preference, etc.). 

Lottery Results

Current Project Updates

  • What is happening: Siding on the front and left of the building will continue. Interior work is progressing on flooring, trim work, cabinets on the upper floors, and mechanical work on the lower floors.
  • When is it happening: The site will be closed Monday, Sept. 2. Regular deliveries scheduled throughout the week.
  • What will it affect: There should be no adverse effects.
  • What is happening: We have continued installing windows and siding on both sides, some street work connecting to the main sewer lines, and interior mechanical work.
  • When is it happening: The street work is scheduled for Wednesday through Friday. The remainder of the work is scheduled every day.
  • What will it affect: Some minor traffic effects during the connection in the street.
  • What is happening: Continued window installation, siding on both sides, delivery of rooftop items, front excavation, and interior mechanical work.
  • When is it happening: Trucks on-site to remove dirt daily.
  • What will it affect: No major effects.

June 24, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued window installation, siding installation, and delivery of rooftop items.
  • When is it happening: Daily, crane on site on Thursday 6/27.
  • What will it affect: No major effects.

June 10, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued window installation, siding installation, and the start of insulation on the west side.
  • When is it happening: Daily.
  • What will it affect: No major effects.

May 27, 2024

  • What is happening: We are finalizing window installation, starting siding on the south side of the building, and doing minor earthwork.
  • What will it affect: No major effects.

May 13, 2024

  • What is happening: Water shut-off due to connections to utilities in the street.   Continued roof work, window installation, starting of siding work, some minor earthwork around the foundation, and interior work.
  • When is it happening: Water is scheduled to shut off on May 14. Streetwork will continue throughout the week.
  • What will it affect: The water will be shut off on Centre St between Fuller St and Williams St from roughly 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Centre St will be down to one lane.

April 29, 2024

  • What is happening: Connecting to utilities in the street, continued roof work, window installation, starting of siding work, some minor earthwork around the foundation, and interior work.
  • When is it happening: Either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week the connection work in the street will start. Each connection is estimated to take four to five days. All other work will continue as scheduled.
  • What will it affect: The sidewalk in front of 108 will be closed, and Centre St will go down to one lane in front of 108. There will be traffic details for the work.

April 15, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued roof work, window installation, the start of siding work, minor foundational work, and interior work.
  • When is it happening: Throughout the week.
  • What will it affect: No noticeable impact.

April 1, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued roof work, window installation, some backfill around the foundation, and interior work.
  • When is it happening: Throughout the week.
  • What will it affect: No noticeable impact.

March 18, 2024

  • What is happening: Exterior wrapping, continued roof work, start of window installation, and some backfill around the foundation.
  • When is it happening: Throughout the week.
  • What will it affect: No noticeable impact.

February 26, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued roof work, the start of window installation, and some backfill around the foundation.
  • When is it happening: Throughout the week.
  • What will it affect: No noticeable impact.

February 19, 2024

  • What is happening: Removal of the tower crane. Roofing and backfilling areas around the foundation.
  • When is it happening: The crane removal is scheduled for February 22 and 23, but will be weather dependent.
  • What will it affect: Thursday and Friday will have multiple trucks on/off the site for the crane removal.

*Starting in March, construction update emails will transition from weekly to every other week unless there is a larger item that will cause any disruptions or one that should be called out.

February 12, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued work on the seventh floor and fireproofing on the lower floors. Basement concrete pour and backfilling areas around the foundation.
  • When is it happening: Fireproofing is scheduled all week. Monday, the basement concrete will be poured, and Backfilling is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
  • What will it affect: Continued deliveries will occur throughout the week in a similar pattern to what is currently happening. Concrete trucks are scheduled for Monday.

February 5, 2024

  • What is happening: There will be continued work on the sixth floor and fireproofing on the lower floors. Basement concrete will also be poured.
  • When it happens: Throughout the week. Fireproofing is scheduled to start on Tuesday. The concrete pour is scheduled for Thursday.
  • What will it affect: There will be continued deliveries throughout the week, similar to what is currently happening. Concrete trucks are scheduled for Thursday.

January 29, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued work on the sixth floor and fireproofing on the lower floors.
  • When is it happening: Work will be throughout the week. Fireproofing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.
  • What will it affect: Continued deliveries throughout the week in a similar pattern to what is currently happening.

January 22, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued work on the 5th floor and ground work.
  • When is it happening: The ground floor pour is scheduled for Tuesday. Normal work throughout the week.
  • What will it affect: Deliveries for wood framing for upper floors are similar to steel delivery, one truck is on site and the crane lifts it in place.  Pouring of the concrete on Tuesday will have approximately 10 deliveries throughout the morning and early afternoon.

January 15, 2024

  • What is happening: Start of 5th floor and continued ground work.
  • When is it happening: All week. Please note that there will be site work on Monday.
  • What will it affect: Deliveries for wood framing for upper floors are similar to steel delivery, one truck is on site and the crane lifts it in place.

*Unrelated to our construction project, the utility company is replacing the pole next to the site. They installed the new pole and then each owner of the wires needs to move to the new pole and they will then remove the old pole. There is no timeline for this to be completed as it is up to the individual providers.

January 8, 2024

  • What is happening: Constructing 4th floor and start of 5th floor. Some continued work on the ground level and fireproofing.
  • When is it happening: All next week. Fireproofing will occur the following week.
  • What will it affect: Deliveries for wood framing for upper floors will be similar to steel delivery, one truck is on site and the crane lifts it in place.

December 25, 2023 & January 1, 2024

  • What is happening: Continued framing and underground work. 
  • When is it happening: The site will be closed on 12/25/2023 and 1/1/2024. Work will continue all other days. 
  • What will it affect: Trucks with wood framing will be on and off site all week. This will look similar to the way steel was delivered. 

December 18, 2023

  • What is happening: Finalizing front elevator shaft, beginning the wood framing of the third floor, and continued underground work.
  • When is it happening: All this week.
  • What will it affect: Trucks with wood framing will be on and off site all week. This will look similar to the way steel was delivered. 

December 11, 2023

  • What is happening: Backfilling around foundation, start of front elevator shaft, minor steel work, start framing of third floor.
  • When is it happening: First delivery for third floor wood panels will start arriving Wednesday.
  • What will it affect: Increase in delivery trucks.  Deliveries for wood framing for upper floors is similar to steel delivery–one truck on site, and a crane lifts it in place.

December 4, 2023

  • What is happening: Backfilling around foundation, start of front elevator shaft, minor steel work, concrete pours.
  • When is it happening: Construction all week.
  • What will it affect:  Wood materials may be delivered at the end of the week.

November 20, 2023

There will be NO update next week.

  • What is happening: Backfill of foundation, installation of stairs, and installation of elevator shafts. 
  • When is it When is it happening: The site will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday. 
  • What will it affect: There should be no surrounding effects.

November 6, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued steel installation, backfill of foundation, and concrete pour on decking.
  • When is it happening: All this week.
  • What will it affect: Increase in trucks on/off site during concrete pours.

October 30, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued steel installation, backfill of foundation.
  • When is it happening: All week.
  • What will it affect: Minimal impact compared to recent weeks.

October 23, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued steel installation, backfill of foundation.
  • When is it happening: All this week.
  • What will it affect: Minimal impact compared to recent weeks.

October 16, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Steel delivery and install, foundation work. The steel is installed from back to front and encompasses the first 3 floors of the building.
  • When is it happening: Starting Monday, steel will be installed all week. There will be some continued form work.
  • What will it affect: Steel is generally one truck at a time and installed directly from the truck, so there should be minimal surrounding effect.

October 9, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued site work, concrete pours, and start of steel installation. 
  • When is it happening: Concrete pours on Tuesday and Thursday. Steel delivery and installation on Friday.
  • What will it affect: Minimal effects overall. Concrete pours will have less trucks than previous pours. Steel delivery days will have one additional truck that will be parked inside the fence line.

October 1, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued site work and concrete pours. 
  • When is it happening: Concrete pours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
  • What will it affect: Increased trucks on/off site.

* Test pit in Centre St. will be delayed to a future date.

September 25, 2023

*The site will be closed on Monday 9/25/2023 for Yom Kippur. There will be minimal work occurring this Saturday around form placement.

  • What is happening this week: Continued site work, concrete pours, and the digging of a test pit on Centre St.
  • When is it happening: No construction on Monday. Test pit on Centre St on Tuesday morning. A police detail will be there to direct traffic. Concrete pours scheduled for Tuesday through Friday.
  • What will it affect: Half of Centre St. in front of 108 Centre St. will be closed with a police detail for traffic starting on Tuesday morning.  Expect this to slow down traffic.

September 18, 2023

*The construction site will close today (Friday 9/15/2023) at 3:00pm for Rosh Hashanah.

  • What is happening this week: Continued site excavation and concrete pour.
  • When is it happening: Concrete pour scheduled for Tuesday.
  • What will it affect: Increased trucks on/off site.

September 11, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued site excavation, form placement and concrete pour.
  • When is it happening: Concrete pour scheduled for Tuesday.
  • What will it affect: Increased trucks on/off site.

September 4, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued excavation and concrete pour
  • When is it happening: Concrete pours scheduled for Tuesday and Friday. The site will be closed on Monday for the holiday.
  • What will it affect: Trucks on/off site.

August 28, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued excavation, concrete pour, and steel delivery
  • When is it happening: Throughout the week
  • What will it affect: Increased trucks on/off site

August 21, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued excavation, concrete pour, and set up of the tower crane.
  • When is it happening: 
    • 8/22: Concrete pour.
    • 8/23-8/24: Tower crane set up (8/23 will be a good day to view the construction process if interested)

August 14, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Rebar delivery and continued excavation and compaction of the front of the site.
  • When is it happening: Rebar delivery occurs on Monday, normal work week the rest of the week.
  • What will it affect: There will be an increase in noise and vibration from compaction.

August 7, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued forms/rebar placement and concrete pours.
  • When is it happening: Concrete pour will occur on 8/8
  • What will it affect: There will be an increase in trucks on/off site on 8/8.

July 31, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Backfilling of walls, form and rebar placement, and concrete pouring. A wall will also be cut in the Cohen 112 garage.
  • When is it happening: The backfill will take place on Monday.  The concrete pour is scheduled for Thursday, and the form/reinforcement work will take place on Friday. The wall will be cut in the Cohen garage from Monday through Thursday.
  • What will it affect: Trucks on/off site for pouring the concrete. Entry to Cohen 112 garage will be one lane at a time. Staff will be directing traffic. Please allow for extra time.

July 17, 2023

What is happening this week: Backfilling of walls, form and rebar placement, and concrete pouring.

When is it happening: 
7/15 - Staff will be on site working on removing forms. No equipment will be needed and it will be a shorter than usual day.
7/17: Backfill of walls.
7/21: concrete pour, remaining days will be form and rebar placement.

What will it affect: Increase in trucks on concrete pour day, increase noise on backfill day.  Otherwise no substantial changes.

July 10, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continuation of form placement and rebar with possible concrete pours.
  • When is it happening: The pouring will take place on Wednesday.  Form/rebar work will continue the rest of the week.
  • What will it affect: Wednesday will see an increase in trucks on/off the site.

July 3, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continuation of form placement and rebar with possible concrete pours.
  • When is it happening: There will be minimal work done Monday, none on Tuesday for the Independence Day, and full work hours will resume Wednesday.
  • What will it affect: No changes from prior week.

June 26, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Setting of concrete forms and rebar will continue.
  • When is it happening: Full week of 6/26.
  • What will it affect: Less trucks in/out of site this week. 

June 19, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Forms for foundation will continue to be placed and the concrete pouring will start.
  • When is it happening: The site will be closed on Monday for the holiday.  Work will resume on Tuesday with concrete pours starting Wednesday or Thursday.
  • What will it affect: When concrete pouring occurs there will be a steady flow of concrete trucks on/off the site.

June 13, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Excavation of the site will continue and then placement of forms/rebar for foundation. (here is a video of what it will look/sound like.)
  • When is it happening: Excavation will wrap up Monday and Tuesday and the remainder of the week will be for foundation work.
  • What will it affect: Continued trucks in/out of site.

June 6, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued site excavation and mobilization of the site for concrete forms. (here is a video of what it will look/sound like.)
  • When is it happening: Excavation will wrap up Monday and Tuesday and the remainder of the week will be for concrete forms and deliveries.
  • What will it affect: Continued trucks in/out of site.

May 29, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued site excavation. (Here is a video of what it will look/sound like.)
  • When is it happening: The site will be closed on Monday for the holiday. Work will resume Tuesday and continue through the week.
  • What will it affect: Increase in trucks in/out of site. Increased noise related to cutting of shoring for retaining walls.

May 22, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Excavation of site and continued dirt removal. (here is a video of what it will look/sound like.)
  • When is it happening: This will occur all week starting Monday.
  • What will it affect: Increase in trucks in/out of site. Increased noise related to cutting of shoring for retaining walls.

May 15, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued installation of steel piles as well as mobilization to increase dirt removal. (here is a video of what it will look/sound like.)
  • When is it happening: This will occur all week.
  • What will it affect: Increase in trucks in/out of site. Increased noise and vibrations in the general area.

May 8, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Mobilization of steel and equipment and installation of piles into ground using the vibratory drill system. (here is a video of what it will look/sound like.)
  • When is it happening: Monday should include mobilization of materials to the site and some possible pre-drilling. Steel piles will be installed the remainder of the week.
  • What will it affect: Increase in trucks in/out of site. Increased noise and vibrations in the general area.
  • Future considerations: The week of 5/15, the crew will be installing steel beams for the foundation.

May 1, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued removal of dirt and setting up for installation of steel beams for the foundation. 
  • When is it happening: Work will continue throughout the week of 5/1. It is possible that some steel beams will be installed at the end of the week (here is a video of what it will look/sound like.). Otherwise that work has shifted to the week of 5/8.
  • What will it affect: Increase in trucks in/out of site.
  • Future considerations: The week of 5/8, the crew will be installing steel beams for the foundation.

April 24, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued removal of debris and site work to prepare for foundation. 
  • When is it happening: Work will continue throughout the week of 4/24.
  • What will it affect: No change from current work.
  • Future considerations: The week of 5/1, the crew will be installing steel beams for the foundation using a vibratory drive system. Here is a video of what it will look/sound like.

April 17, 2023

  • What is happening this week: Continued removal of debris and site work to prepare for foundation.
  • When is it happening: The site will be closed on Monday (4/17) for the holiday and work will continue throughout the rest of the week.
  • What will it affect: No change from current work.
  • Future considerations: The week of 5/1, the crew will be installing steel beams for the foundation using a vibratory drive system. Here is a video of what it will look/sound like. 
     

March 31, 2023
We are delighted to announce we are ready to begin demolition of the existing wood-frame house at 108 Centre Street. On April 4th, the house will be demolished and removed over the course of a few days. This should not impact traffic and approved dust-prevention measures are in place.

January 20, 2023
As we enter the new year, we are excited to announce that our project has been pre-certified as meeting the standards for Passive House. Passive House is a performance-based building certification that focuses on the dramatic reduction of energy use for space heating and cooling. Passive House projects use 60% less energy overall.  

We have also started some of the final due diligence work on the existing structure. All utilities have been disconnected, oil tanks have been removed by an environmental company, and a company has completed an architectural salvage of various building elements. We expect construction to start in March.

October 26, 2022
We are excited to announce that after a rigorous interview process we have selected NEI as our General Contractor. NEI has an extensive history of working on affordable senior housing and with tight spaces. We were highly impressed with their approach to working with the Town and neighbors to keep open lines of communication with the goal of preventing issues before they happen. NEI is currently finishing up a project at 808 Memorial Drive, which was a very large occupied renovation on one of the busiest street corners in Cambridge. The owner could not speak any more highly on their work and communication. We are in the process of finalizing the financing and expect construction to start in February or March 2023. We will keep everyone updated as we refine the timeline.

July 26, 2022
We are so pleased to announce that we have been awarded state and federal resources from the Department of Housing and Community Development for our 108 Centre Street project. In addition to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and private donors, we are incredibly grateful to be receiving funding and support from the Town of Brookline. We are currently in the process of interviewing general contractors.

May 20, 2022
While we continue to wait for a decision on funding from the Department of Community Housing and Development we are actively working on moving items of the project forward. Our application for a Passive House Status has been submitted and is under review. Passive Houses require very little energy to achieve a comfortable temperature year-round while protecting the building structure. In conjunction with all our partners we are continuing to move internal design elements forward so we are ready to hit the ground running when our funding request is approved.

April 19, 2022
The application for funding has been submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development for review. We await their decision sometime over the summer.

Background About the Project

Current Centre Street Development Information

Architectural Renderings

Center Communities of Brookline Fact Sheet

Center Communities of Brookline - A Day in the Life

We'd Like to Hear from You

To share any input, ideas, concerns, or questions you may have, you may leave a voicemail at 617-363-8392 and your call will be returned as soon as possible. You may also contact us via email and/or be added to our mailing list to receive updates and invitations. Please send the following information to CCBCentreStreetCampus@hsl.harvard.edu:

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Street number, city, zip
  • Phone number

Offered at:

Hebrew SeniorLife’s approach to assisted living is focused on taking care of the little things so that you can focus on what matters most to you. Our apartment-style residences offer privacy when desired, while allowing easy access to social experiences and lifelong learning opportunities. All the while, our team is there to help with the activities of daily living including personal care, medication management, all meals, laundry, housekeeping, and personalized fitness training.

For those with early-stage to mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease and/or other dementias, we also offer memory care assisted living residences. Residents benefit from specialized research-based programming, with an emphasis on expressive therapies, to maximize cognitive health and feelings of well-being.

Additionally, we offer a care level similar to assisted living at Orchard Cove in Canton, which we call enhanced living. Learn more about enhanced living at Orchard Cove.

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Moving to a new home is always a mix of emotions: stress, excitement, and apprehension to name just a few. Sometimes, it can take a few months to completely adjust and feel comfortable in that space. Moving to an assisted...

Keep Reading

How Can Health Professionals Enhance Cognitive Health in Older Adults?

Article Highlights Key Action Areas for Better Brain Health

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BOSTON — An expert panel convened by the Institute of Medicine clarified the cognitive aging process by making a distinction from Alzheimer disease and related dementias, and provided recommendations to enhance cognitive health in older adults. Now a new article published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights key points of that report and serves as a guide for health care professionals seeking to improve the quality of life of older adults by maintaining brain health.

Practitioners define “cognition” as mental functions encompassing attention, thinking, understanding, learning, remembering, problem solving, and decision making. As a person ages there is a gradual, but marked change in these cognitive functions, which is referred to as “cognitive aging.”

“Cognitive aging is not a disease or a level of impairment—it is a lifelong process that affects everyone,” explains lead author Dr. Sharon K. Inouye, Director of the Aging Brain Center at the Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, Massachusetts and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. “Given the sizable number of adults approaching older age, understanding the impact of cognitive aging has become a significant health concern.”

Older adults seem to share the same concern about their health as a 2014 survey by the AARP found that 93% of respondents said maintaining brain health was a top priority. In response, the Institute of Medicine committee created recommendations that focus on prevention and intervention opportunities, seek to educate health care practitioners, and help raise public awareness of cognitive health. Action areas for practitioners include:

- Conduct a formal cognitive assessment to detect cognitive impairment
- Screen for risk factors such as alcohol use, smoking history, and diet
- Promote benefit of physical exercise, lifelong learning, social engagement and adequate sleep
- Highlight importance of reducing cardiovascular risks such as hypertension and diabetes
- Identify persons at high risk for delirium before or at hospital admission and institute preventive strategies
- Minimize prescription of inappropriate medications

The article also covers cognitive health as it relates to driving safety, financial decision-making, use of nutraceuticals and effectiveness of brain games among older adults.
“There is still more to learn about the biological process involved with cognitive aging, but there are interventions that can be made now,” says Dr. Inouye. “Health care professionals play a vital role in working with older patients and their caregivers to maintain optimal brain health.”

The article was funded in part by the National Institute on Aging (grants P01AG031720, K07AG041835, and R01AG044518). Dr. Inouye holds the Milton and Shirley F. Levy Family Chair.


About Annals of Internal Medicine
Established in 1927 by the American College of Physicians (ACP), Annals of Internal Medicine is the premier internal medicine journal. Annals of Internal Medicine’s mission is to promote excellence in medicine, enable physicians and other health care professionals to be well informed members of the medical community and society, advance standards in the conduct and reporting of medical research, and contribute to improving the health of people worldwide. To achieve this mission, the journal publishes a wide variety of original research, review articles, practice guidelines, and commentary relevant to clinical practice, health care delivery, public health, health care policy, medical education, ethics, and research methodology. In addition, the journal publishes personal narratives that convey the feeling and the art of medicine.

About the Institute of Medicine
Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine provides independent, objective, evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the private sector, and the public. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies. For more information, visit http://national-academies.org or http://iom.edu.

About the Institute for Aging Research
Scientists at the Institute for Aging Research seek to transform the human experience of aging by conducting research that will ensure a life of health, dignity and productivity into advanced age. The Institute carries out rigorous studies that discover the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability; lead to the prevention, treatment and cure of disease; advance the standard of care for older people; and inform public decision-making. The Aging Brain Center within IFAR studies cognitive aging and conditions affecting brain health.

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching and redefining the possibilities of aging. Based in Boston, the non-profit, non-sectarian organization has provided communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers since 1903. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook, or read our blog.

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