Stepping through the doors of Keystone Place at Wooster Heights, guests are greeted with an immediate feeling of comfort and warmth.
“When people think about moving into a senior living community, they’re afraid of losing their independence,” says Eluisa Callanan, Senior Living Counselor. “But when they come here, it becomes home. That fear disappears. They make new friends, create new memories.”
The lobby is bright, cheerful, even chic. A fire blazes in an oversized hearth. Residents are getting their steps in—some with walkers, some without. Others are flipping through the morning papers or enjoying a snooze. Still others are chit-chatting and recipe-swapping (“The secret to the best egg salad is curry. Just a little, not too much!” Sue Robson tells Joan Wolfe).
It’s a scene of easy companionship, like walking into your living room during the holidays. Everyone is at ease, unhurried—at home.
Built in 2019, Keystone Place at Wooster Heights is a modern, thoughtfully designed community perched on a hilltop with beautiful panoramic views. It features 140 apartments for independent and assisted living, along with 22 apartments in Wooster Crossing, the community’s dedicated memory care neighborhood.
Family-owned and operated, Keystone Place intentionally keeps its locations boutique-sized. That scale, paired with more than three decades of experience and over 60 successful senior living communities, allows the company to offer incomparable levels of personalized support.
“The Kingen and Eldredge families let you run your community your way,” says Peter Francis, Executive Director. “Our community is a family. What sets us apart is our dedicated team—people who show up every day to improve the quality of life for our residents. And we like to have fun. We try to have as much fun as possible.”
Patrick McNamara, Director of Life Enrichment, along with Gary Chambers and Bettianne Smith lead the charge in bringing a full calendar of meaningful, energizing activities to the community.
Social isolation is one of the biggest health risks for older adults, and they all work tirelessly in tandem to keep everyone not only engaged, but thriving.
The monthly newsletter breaks down activities by day. They run the gamut from mass, meditation, and movies to stretch and balance, bowling, and bingo, to cooking, arts and crafts, and drum circle.
On Mondays, Gary blends up smoothies at 10 a.m in the pub. On Fridays, happy hour starts at 3 p.m.—often with Patrick moonlighting as bartender. Movies are shown in the theater three afternoons a week at 3 p.m. (usually documentaries) and every evening at 7 p.m. (everything else).
“Residents tell me what movies they want to watch,” Patrick says. “Sometimes they’ll say, ‘Oh, we don’t want to watch anything with violence or nudity.’ Then they’ll request Magic Mike!”
Local musicians and entertainers regularly perform for residents: guitarists, pianists, a cappella singers. Brewster High School’s choir visits each December to sing holiday songs. And residents are encouraged to host their own bridge parties and mahjong tournaments, inviting family and friends, with food provided by the dining team.
During our tour, Patrick is a magnetic presence—equal parts stand-up comic and empathetic friend. His cruise-ship-director energy is contagious. He greets every person by name, often delivering a deadpan one-liner before they can even say hello.
In the salon, he tells one resident, “Marge, you’re wasting your money! You are beautiful without doing all of this!”
Later, spotting Chuck, he asks, “What’d you buy at the grocery store? No worms? Alright, we’ll just have to go dig in the dirt.”
It’s clear the residents adore him—and the feeling is mutual.
Keystone Place at Wooster Heights spans four floors with every amenity imaginable. There’s a library, fitness center, movie theater, multiple activity rooms, pub, outdoor spaces, and a full-service salon run by a licensed cosmetologist, Marylou Desiervi.
Outings are organized regularly, with trips planned to see shows at A.C.T. of CT, Ridgefield Playhouse, The Prospector, or Brookfield Theatre. There are weekly shopping excursions and change-of-scenery lunch outings (the most recent was to Fife ‘n Drum in Kent—so many people signed up, they had to plan a second trip).
One of Keystone Place’s greatest benefits is offering the ability to age in place. Residents can transition from independent living to assisted living to memory care, if needed, without ever leaving their home.
Independent Living enables residents to live life fully on their own terms. Spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments (833 and 1,223 square feet respectively) come with full-size kitchens, washers and dryers, and private balconies with hilltop views.
Assisted Living apartments blend the comfort of home with personalized support. One- and two-bedroom units plus studios are available, all featuring a kitchenette and a sunroom, private patio, or balcony. Care associates are onsite day and night.
“Many of our residents still have their own cars,” Eluisa notes. “And pets are welcome in both independent and assisted living—as long as owners can care for them. People moving into a senior living community means losing independence, but it’s not true.”
Wooster Crossings, the memory care neighborhood, is intentionally designed to feel safe and supportive. Studio and one-bedroom suites offer privacy and comfort, while the secure outdoor courtyard provides a peaceful place to enjoy fresh air.
Patricia Dos Santos, Dedicated Memory Care Engagement Manager, works hand in hand with Patrick to ensure Wooster Crossings is engaging residents both physically and mentally throughout the day. Specially trained associates are available around the clock, and licensed nurses monitor residents’ health.
All apartments, regardless of level, are private—everyone has their own room and bathroom. Housekeeping services are provided regularly (weekly for assisted living and biweekly for independent living). And every resident has access to meaningful activities, wellness programs, and nursing support.
“We have nurses in the building from 6 a.m. until about 10:30 at night, and there’s always a registered nurse on call,” says Stacy Carney, Director of Nursing. “Our team includes 8 licensed practical nurses who rotate through shifts, and 65 certified nursing assistants who provide hands-on care to residents around the clock.”
Meals at Keystone Place are about more than nourishment—they’re daily opportunities to gather and connect over delicious food. The dining room has nearly 50 tables and residents can sit wherever they like. It offers a laid-back, restaurant-style atmosphere with wide-open space and floor-to-ceiling windows letting in plenty of natural sunlight.
Brian Chitty, Director of Dining Services, crafts seasonal menus with an eye toward limiting sodium, fat, refined sugars, and processed ingredients—all without sacrificing flavor. Breakfast includes both continental and hot options, while lunch and dinner offer one or two rotating specials, two soups, a pasta of the day, and an always-available lineup of made-to-order classics.
“Residents certainly enjoy their meat and potatoes,” Brian says, “but we also get to have fun. If someone wants something special, we’ll try our best to make it happen. We have a great community with diverse preferences, so we do get to explore different cuisines.”
Throughout the year, the staff collaborates to create memorable experiences: Game Night, Oktoberfest, Friendsgiving, Cruise Week, Lobster Fest. Watching them light up while describing these gatherings makes it clear just how much they care for the residents—and how much fun they’re having too.
On Boardwalk Day, the front sidewalk transforms into a miniature Coney Island.
“It’s like taking a stroll through the past,” Eluisa tells us. “We had a band, a dunk tank, a funnel cake truck, hamburgers, corn dogs, sausage and peppers, cotton candy, popcorn. So many residents from every level joined in the fun. We had such a great time!”
One resident, Marcia Sloat, tells us that she is especially excited for Cruise Week coming up in March. A long-time resident of Ridgefield, Marsha moved to Keystone Place when her husband passed away last year.
“You have to understand, this is a complete change from the life I had,” she tells us. “My husband and I were married for 50 years. So this is a big change, being a widow. But the staff works hard for us. They do so many things to make us happy.”
Another former Ridgefield resident and active volunteer at the Ridgefield Historical Society, Dr. Darla Shaw, echoes that sentiment.
“I moved here last year and, you know, it’s helped save me,” Darla tells us.
Darla and her husband, Ben, moved into Keystone Place after living in Ridgefield for over five decades. Darla was a teacher and administrator for 63 years, first in the Ridgefield school system and then as a professor of women’s studies at Western Connecticut State University.
“This is a good, healthy environment,” Darla says. “I’m so used to being active in the community and now I’m in a wheelchair with oxygen—but they’re very good about letting me run events here.”
We’re back in the lobby now and it’s bustling—though Patrick tells us this is nothing compared to Saturday mornings. That’s when a truckload of donated flowers from Trader Joe’s arrives and pandemonium ensues, with residents vying for bouquets of fresh blooms.
“This area will be jam-packed waiting for them,” Patrick says. “There is a stampede—it’s like a Taylor Swift concert. It’s a good thing paramedics are on standby!” he jokes.
There’s Marcia, sitting in a circle with several other women chatting and laughing. Peter stands in front of the fireplace talking with William Stone. Some residents are quietly doing crosswords while others doze by the warm glow of the fire.
“The fireplace is very popular,” Patrick says. “We encourage residents to come down and sit here, maybe take a nap before lunch. They can do whatever they want—it’s their house!”
It truly feels that way. Keystone Place is their home, and all of the staff and visitors are lucky enough to be welcomed in. This vibrant, lively community offers much more than convenience—it offers real connection during residents’ later years: friendships made, tips shared, pictures shown.
Research continually shows that social engagement and meaningful relationships lead to longer, healthier lives—and Keystone Place at Wooster Heights fosters this with intention. It’s the result of a dedicated team creating an environment where people truly thrive.
Moving into a senior living community is a major life transition, one that comes with natural anxieties for both prospective residents and their families. But those concerns tend to dissipate the moment people step into this welcoming lobby. Peter, Patrick, Eluisa, and the rest of the staff have created something rare: a place that feels like home from day one.
“At Keystone Place at Wooster Heights, we strive to create a true home for our residents,” Peter says. “One that offers a meaningful quality of life each day and brings joy, happiness, safety, and love.”
Keystone Place at Wooster Heights is located at 66 Wooster Heights in Danbury. Call 475-454-7971 to book a tour and learn more at keystonesenior.com/senior-living/ct/danbury/keystone-place-at-wooster-heights.
“We strive to create a true home for our residents. One that brings joy, happiness, safety, and love.”—Peter Francis, Executive Director