Jean Lowi, 89, hopes to be one of the first tenants of Wohl Court, Jewish Care’s second North-West London independent living scheme.
On her own since the death of her husband, Mrs Lowi decided to apply for an apartment because she felt “isolated” living away from her family.
She was drawn to the £12 million project by the opportunity of living independently with the security of 24/7 staff available to help with domestic tasks and care issues. The team will include a social care co-ordinator who will plan activities and outings.
Wohl Court is expected to welcome its initial tenants next month. When the JC visited the Hendon premises this week, the smell was of fresh paint as the builders were putting the finishing touches to the 32 apartments. The block has been constructed on the site of the charity’s former Ella and Ridley Jacobs home — and the adjacent Sam Beckman Day Centre — which were demolished last year.
Mrs Lowi is selling her property in Woodford Green to finance the move to Wohl Court, where her monthly rent will be around £2,100.
“Your needs change as you get older,” she explained. “I have a three-bedroom flat and it’s just me. I don’t need all this space but what I do need now is to be in an environment where if I need help, I have it to hand.”
She is also excited about living closer to her daughter and granddaughter.
Although she will be giving up her car, as there is no residents’ parking, this was not a hardship as she no longer enjoys driving.
Other prospective tenants include Victor and Jacqueline Ryde, who have been married for 60 years. They want to move into one of the two-bed flats, with rent of up to £2,950. For them, it is a way to stay connected to the Jewish community.
Mrs Ryde, 80, and her husband, who is 83, left Reading 24 years ago to be closer to their children in London.
Despite having family living nearby, they feel lonely and isolated at times.
“We are getting older,” Mrs Ryde said. “We want to feel more secure, with support to hand if we need it, and have a community around us.
“Even though we have each other, we find it difficult to get out and be social.”
The Rydes are looking forward to joining fellow tenants for meals in the kosher communal dining room and kitchen, which can accommodate Friday night dining.
“We are shomer Shabbos and it was important to us that we could be in a Jewish environment,” Mrs Ryde added.
While sad to be downsizing, the two-bed option means their daughter can stay when she visits from Israel.
The block includes six affordable housing apartments for those whose sole income is derived from state benefits.
Jewish Care spokesperson Lisa Wimborne said demand for independent living within the Jewish community was high and growing.
“In a recent Jewish community survey, 40 per cent of the respondents who were 65 and over said their care preference was for independent living with access to care and support.”
The charity’s first independent living scheme was Selig Court, located within its Golders Green campus. The next will be Pears Court in Stanmore, which is due to open in 2020.
