Woodlands Senior Living, a Maine-based, family-owned-and-operated assisted living and memory care provider, is marking 20 years of assisted living services in Brewer. The senior living community opened in 2002 as the third location for the Maine-based Woodlands, with other locations in Hallowell and Waterville. Since opening 20 years ago, Woodlands Senior Living of Brewer’s assisted living community has served just over a thousand residents, a milestone that was reached as of last week.
After establishing itself as a comfortable and supportive assisted living location, Woodlands expanded in 2007 to meet the area’s growing need for high-quality memory care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory impairments. Woodlands Memory Care in Brewer, which opened in 2007, has served more than 400 residents in that time.
“We chose Brewer for this location because the city and the economic development office in particular offered a lot of help and support in getting Woodlands Senior Living of Brewer up and running,” said Matthew Walters, managing member of Woodlands Senior Living. “Drew Sachs was the director of the economic development office in Brewer at the time, and he was extraordinarily helpful. I think that the community saw the need for a place like Woodlands in town, but I also believe that Brewer means it when they say that they are ‘business friendly.’ The Brewer community has been extremely supportive and helpful over the past 20 years.”
The Brewer City Council recognized Woodlands Senior Living for its 20 years of providing assisted living to the region during its City Council meeting last week.
“Woodlands Senior Living of Brewer provides essential services for this region,” said Brewer Mayor Michele LaBree Daniels. “For 20 years, Woodlands nurses, aides, coordinators, and staff have thoughtfully and lovingly cared for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It is important to care about others, and the staff at Woodlands have cared about – and for – more than a thousand residents who reside here. I commend Woodlands Senior Living for their work.”
Woodlands Senior Living of Brewer employs about 50 people and has 104 residents. Residents and staff, along with city officials and members of the community joined in a celebration for the 20th anniversary at Woodlands on Wednesday evening, with historical photos, food, live music, a photo booth, and presentations.
After opening Woodlands Senior Living of Brewer in 2002, Woodlands expanded with seven new communities in five new locations. The latest community for Woodlands is set to open in Bridgton later this year. Including Bridgton, the organization has since grown to include 16 communities in 10 locations.
Woodlands Senior Living started in 1980 with a 39-resident boarding home in Hallowell. The organization has since grown to include 16 communities in 10 locations with the addition of Bridgton.