Introduction
HarborChase of Shaker Heights, located at 17000 Van Aken Boulevard in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is a luxury senior living community offering multiple levels of care. Now operating under the StoryPoint Senior Living brand, this facility provides a range of services designed to meet varying senior needs in an upscale environment. This review examines the community’s offerings, resident experiences, and market position to help families make informed decisions about senior living options in the Shaker Heights area.
Care Services Offered
HarborChase of Shaker Heights provides three primary levels of care:
Independent Living
- For active seniors seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle
- Access to amenities and social activities
- Freedom to live independently with convenient services
Assisted Living
- 24-hour supervision and emergency call system
- Medication management
- Assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, transfers)
- Coordination with healthcare providers
- Personalized care plans
- Specialized services for residents with conditions like Parkinson’s and diabetes
Memory Care
- Secure environment designed to prevent wandering
- Specialized programming for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Reminders and assistance with daily living needs
- 24-hour supervision from specially trained staff
- Both dementia and hospice waivers available
A particularly distinctive feature is their specialized “The Sound” program – designed specifically for residents with mild cognitive impairment in the earliest stages of memory loss, providing a transitional care option between assisted living and full memory care.
Facility Amenities and Features
HarborChase of Shaker Heights offers a comprehensive array of amenities designed to enhance resident quality of life:
Physical Environment
- Private and shared suites with ensuite bathrooms
- Multiple open-concept floor plans
- Air conditioning in all rooms
- Elegant communal spaces
- Sun-filled outdoor spaces
- Walking paths and beautiful nature trails
Community Spaces
- Fitness room with senior-appropriate exercise equipment
- Game room for social activities
- Art studio for creative expression
- Library for quiet reading
- Movie theater
- On-site beauty salon and barbershop
- Business center with computer access
- Spa/wellness room
- Golf simulator
- Outdoor common areas and gardens
Room Features
- Private bathrooms
- Cable TV
- Kitchenettes
- Telephone service
- Air conditioning
- Wi-Fi/high-speed internet
- Furnished options available
Dining Experience
HarborChase prides itself on providing exceptional culinary experiences:
- Chef-prepared meals
- Restaurant-style dining
- All-day dining availability
- Multiple on-site restaurants
- Special dietary accommodations including:
- Diabetes-friendly options
- Low/no sodium options
- Allergy-sensitive menus
- Pureed meal options
One resident specifically praised the “incredible food options and choices for seniors that is nothing like I have ever seen before.”
Daily Activities and Community Engagement
The facility offers a remarkably diverse activities program with over 21 different options each day:
Regular Activities
- Music programs and concerts
- Exercise and fitness classes (including yoga, tai chi, and chair exercises)
- Arts & crafts programs
- Movie nights
- Game and trivia sessions
- Book clubs and discussion groups
- Current events clubs
- Cooking classes
- Wine tastings
- Religious services and spiritual activities
Special Programs and Outings
- Field trips to local attractions
- Boat rides
- Educational presentations (including visits from NASA engineers)
- Family-oriented celebrations for milestones
- Live dance and theater performances
- Holiday parties and themed events
According to one family member testimonial, “They keep the residents busy with field trips, boat rides, etc., and bring in very good musicians, artists and even NASA engineers.”
Resident Experiences and Testimonials
HarborChase of Shaker Heights has received strong ratings, including a 9.5 out of 10 rating from Seniorly based on their proprietary evaluation system that assesses quality and consistency of care.
Positive Feedback from Residents and Families
A family member whose mother has resided at the facility for over 8 months shared:
“My mother has been at Shaker Heights for close to 8 months or more. She has been treated very well. Her nurse has a beautiful heart and sense of ownership and accountability to the health and wellbeing of our mother. The accommodations are first class and the building is kept very clean. They are very accommodating of the needs of family members and treat us very very well. I’ve seen ‘all hands on deck’ in serving a great Thanksgiving meal to residents and their extended families. They made it a very special day for us and others. They keep the residents busy with field trips, boat rides, etc., and bring in very good musicians, artists and even NASA engineers. We have had bad luck at a different assisted living apartment. This is a completely different experience and has earned our trust in keeping our mother safe and stimulated mentally and physically. I would recommend Shaker Heights for others and would want it for myself if I am blessed enough to live that long.”
Another resident expressed their satisfaction:
“Such a beautiful community both inside and out! Genuine, caring and loving team all around. Incredible food options and choices for seniors that is nothing like I have ever seen before.”
A third testimonial from a resident’s family member highlights the quality of staff:
“My dad lives here. The front line staff are excellent, uniformly polite and kind to my dad and to us when we visit. Not a sour apple among them. From reading these reviews, it seems to me that Patrice has a well-earned fan club somewhere. She deserves it. Never seen her stressed, even when working both the dining room and the bar. I’m just waiting to get old enough that I can move in and see her more often.”
Pricing Information
HarborChase of Shaker Heights offers competitive pricing compared to other facilities in the area:
- Independent Living starts at approximately $4,430 per month, with verified move-ins ranging from $4,300 to $7,300 per month
- Estimated overall costs start at $4,430, which is lower than the average cost of care in the Shaker Heights area of $4,984
The community offers various floor plan options:
- Studios
- One-bedroom apartments
- Two-bedroom units
- Private rooms
- Shared bedroom options
While specific pricing for each level of care is not extensively detailed in available sources, typical senior living communities charge additional fees for higher levels of care, with memory care generally commanding premium pricing over assisted living.
Management and Staff
HarborChase of Shaker Heights is now part of the StoryPoint Senior Living portfolio. Grace Management, which oversees 28 communities, manages the facility with their “Living Gracefully” philosophy that emphasizes authentic connections between staff and residents.
The community provides:
- 24-hour supervision
- Personalized attention
- Staff skilled in memory care and assisted living protocols
- Nurses with “a beautiful heart and sense of ownership and accountability”
Multiple testimonials highlight the exceptional quality of staff, with one family member noting that “The front line staff are excellent, uniformly polite and kind to my dad and to us when we visit. Not a sour apple among them.”
Location and Community Integration
HarborChase of Shaker Heights benefits from its strategic location:
- Situated in charming Shaker Heights with close proximity to downtown Cleveland
- Surrounded by local amenities including cafes, pharmacies, and parks
- Located near several reputable physicians and healthcare facilities
- MetroHealth Medical Center – Main Campus is just 9 miles away
The location provides residents with the perfect blend of tranquility and convenience, offering easy access to both peaceful neighborhood settings and urban amenities.
Unique Features and Differentiators
What sets HarborChase of Shaker Heights apart from other facilities in the area:
- Specialized Memory Program: “The Sound” program for mild cognitive impairment provides a unique transitional option between assisted living and full memory care that many facilities don’t offer.
- Extensive Daily Programming: With over 21 different activity options each day, the facility offers an exceptionally rich and varied engagement calendar.
- Multiple Dining Venues: The facility features multiple on-site restaurants, providing residents with varied dining experiences beyond the typical single dining room in many senior communities.
- Luxury Approach: The combination of upscale amenities, elegant spaces, and focus on hospitality creates a resort-like atmosphere that distinguishes it from more clinical settings.
- Comprehensive Support Services: The facility offers therapy, support groups, auditory clinics, and equipment repairs on-site, providing convenience and comprehensive care.
Conclusion
HarborChase of Shaker Heights offers a comprehensive luxury senior living experience with multiple levels of care in an elegant, amenity-rich environment. The facility stands out for its specialized memory care programming, extensive daily activities, and exceptional dining options.
Testimonials consistently highlight the quality of staff, cleanliness of the facility, and the engaging nature of community life. With pricing that compares favorably to area averages, HarborChase represents a strong value proposition for seniors seeking a high-end living experience with access to varying levels of care as needs change.
For families considering senior living options in the Shaker Heights area, HarborChase offers the advantages of a true continuum of care in a community that emphasizes both luxury and compassionate support. The facility’s reputation for cleanliness, quality dining, and exceptional staff makes it worthy of serious consideration, particularly for those seeking a vibrant, socially-engaging environment for their loved ones.
