Starling, which owns and operates assisted living and memory care and independent living facilities in the Nocatee area, has acquired the former Palms at Ponte Vedra, bringing its number of communities to seven. Starling’s headquarters are in Jacksonville.
The rebranded Starling at Ponte Vedra offers assisted living and memory care and is located at 405 Solana Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. The purchase, from former owner Health Care Managers Inc., was completed early in April.
“We’ve always worked well with the team at The Palms over the years,” said Megan Kennedy, Starling chief operating officer. “When we were approached to potentially purchase the community, we were very, very excited. They have a phenomenal reputation, and their team is tenured and dedicated.”
She praised the level of care, the food and activities offered at the facility.
For Starling, the acquisition provides significant advantages.
“It allows us to improve processes, have a bigger footprint and reach more seniors and provide services and amenities,” Kennedy said.
Starling plans to enhance some of the services offered at the former Palms, including technology upgrades with new WiFi and upgrades in electronic medical records software and the nurse call program, an emergency response system to bring assistance when needed.
Starling is also refreshing the landscape and some finishes and has already upgraded the kitchen equipment. A gym space and related equipment is now being planned.
In addition, it has created a new memory care director position.
“We have a great memory care program for our residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, so we felt strongly in adding that memory care director role to supplement the team already in place,” Kennedy said.
Starling has retained the other employees.
“We are very proud of that team,” Kennedy said. “They’ve accomplished great things since they opened. Their executive director, Barbara (Matteson), has been there since day one, along with a couple other members of her team.”
One of the advantages Starling offers is, by virtue of its multiple communities, it has leverage with preferred providers, including Next Therapy Solutions, which provides occupational physical therapy.
To learn more, go to starlingliving.com.
