MODESTO — Casa de Modesto, a retirement center on Modesto’s northeast side will mark its 50th anniversary in May and is planning a year’s worth of activities to celebrate the milestone.
The not-for-profit retirement center was founded by three men from the Church of the Brethren in May 1965 to provide a home for seniors.
“Casa isn’t affiliated with any church, but it was some gentlemen from the Church of the Brethren that got the project going. So we kind of have a rich history with that church,” said Admissions Director Kathy Lewis.
That relationship with Church of the Brethren is what led resident John Heisel to move to an independent living apartment in 2003.
“Being a Brethren, this came out of our church, and my folks were here and all my cousins that were all Brethren, this is the first place they come,” Heisel said.
Heisel still takes advantage of Casa’s activities program at the age of 83.
“I have a hard time accepting that number. It has no bearing on who I am,” Heisel said. “I have a car, and I can go to McDonald’s. I have a coffee group there. I can go to movies. I have the freedom to come and go.”
Casa puts a lot of emphasis on its activities program, Lewis said. The center provides social events twice a week and celebrations around the holidays.
Residents go to the Gallo Center. They also to dinner at a restaurant once a month and Black Oak Casino from time to time. There is also bingo on Wednesdays.
In May, Casa throws a senior prom with pictures and a band. Dinner is catered, and the activities center is decorated.
“We have a huge activity center that they just transform into whatever major party or event they’re having that the residents really enjoy,” said Lewis.
To celebrate Casa’s 50th anniversary, the center is adding other activities, including several open houses and a fundraiser in the fall. The staff and residents are also putting together a time capsule to be opened in 2065.
The center provides the broadest spectrum of care for residents in Modesto. It has 68 units, including apartments and cottages for independent living residents; 50 units at the assisted care level; and a 59-bed skilled nursing center for long term and hospice care.
Residents range in age from late 60s to more than 100.
“We have a couple ladies here who are turning 103,” Lewis said. “And they’re not in the nursing unit. They’re in assisted living.”
As far as cost, Lewis said retirement centers offer different packages and amenities, so it can be difficult to compare, but she believes Casa de Modesto is moderately priced.
Prices range from $987 a month for a studio apartment for independent living to $280 a day for a private room in the skilled nursing facility.
Lewis said there is a lot of longevity among the employees at Casa de Modesto. She has worked there for 18 years, and she is one of the newer employees. Some employees, including the recently-retired executive director, have been there 37 years.
“It’s like a second home for us,” Lewis said. “It’s a privilege to be here and see these people through in the years when they need us.”
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