The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 for the grand opening of the Benton House, a new assisted living facility located in St. northwest St. Johns County.
The new facility features a variety of apartment sizes, styles and views for short term stays, residents and individuals needing memory care.
Dane Cates, Vice President of Development said that one of the main draws of Benton house is what sets it apart from other assisted living facilities.
“We still hold to the single-story design, which we feel is very attractive to seniors, especially when they get to a certain age and they need additional help with day to day life,” Cates said.
Benton House’s single-story design not only makes it easier on residents that have limited mobility, but allows easier access to communal areas and is safer in the event of an evacuation.
“We have no elevators, no steps,” Cates said. “Everybody has an opportunity to have a porch or screen porch private patio by the courtyard. Everyone is on the same level as all the common areas, including dinging and beauty shop. It’s really kind of boutique relative to the (other) facilities.”
Representative Cyndi Stevenson attended to ribbon cutting event for the new facility.
“In 1980, St, Johns County’s population was calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau at 51,000 people,” said Chamber president, Isabelle Renault. “The most recent census data from 2018 states that our population is grown to more than 250,000 people and there is not end in sight. Not only is the county growing at an incredible pace, we believe that the fastest growing segment of that population in the next 15 years will be the senior population over the age of 75.”
Benton House offers not only assisted living, but memory care and an adult day program as well. The new location will be one of 23 across the Southeast United States and will be one of three facilities located in Florida. Staff conducted guided tours of the facility every 15 minutes during the open house.
Benton House St. Johns is located at 115 Benton Lane off County Road 210 West at St. Johns Parkway. For more information, visit bentonhouse.com/senior-living-augustine-fl.
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