National Development and EPOCH joint venture building Bridges at Westford

Bridges by EPOCH at Westford, a new assisted living community delivering unique memory care services, has reached the midpoint of building construction. The community will be located at 108 Littleton Rd.; it is now fully enclosed and work is underway on interior finishes in anticipation of a June opening. A Welcome Center is now open onsite. Open to prospective residents and their families, the Welcome Center will provide information about the community's unique approach to residential memory care services, suite floor plans, details about the care programs to be offered, and pricing. The center is located in a temporary office at the development site. Bridges by EPOCH at Westford is the third joint development between National Development and EPOCH Senior Living. National Development received local approval for the project in 2011 and construction began earlier this year. National Development managing partner Ted Tye is excited to partner again with EPOCH. "EPOCH is a respected owner and manager of senior living communities. EPOCH will help bring the absolute best-in-class memory care assisted living to Westford." EPOCH chief executive officer Laurence Gerber said EPOCH is incorporating more than a decade of experience operating senior living and memory care programs. EPOCH and National Development's first Bridges facility opened in Hingham in June; it was met with great support from the community. In April, the two companies opened Waterstone at Wellesley, a luxury community offering independent and assisted living. "We're excited to expand our Bridges program in Westford, where the community is growing and thriving with new development. There is a great need for specialized memory care housing and services throughout the region as the number of individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia grows," Gerber said. "At Bridges, the entire building is designed exclusively for those with memory impairment, allowing us to achieve a very high level of care and support." Westford's Bridges by EPOCH community is being built on six acres and includes 48 apartments to meet the increased needs of individuals with memory impairment in a supportive and structured residential environment. Residents will have unencumbered access to outdoor space and indoor common areas within and outside their households while remaining in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Health care staff will be available 24 hours a day, and life enrichment programs will be offered throughout the day to stimulate memory and engage residents. EPOCH by Bridges at Westford was designed by JSA Architects. The general contractor is Cranshaw Construction. EPOCH operates 15 senior living communities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In conjunction with nationally renowned Alzheimer's expert Joyce Simard, EPOCH's Bridges program has evolved over 14 years to provide the foundation for the standalone Bridges by EPOCH communities. The Bridges program offers ability-appropriate life enrichment programs to foster engagement, independence and encouragement for people with memory loss.