As Seen in the Rancho Bernardo & 4S Ranch News Journal
Silvergate RB Offers Independent & Assisted Living and Memory Care
Greg Petree often says that the best way to stay healthy as you age is to eat good foods, keep moving and stay social.
And Petree should know. As president of AmeriCare Health and Retirement, Inc. — a group that includes three retirement communities — he and his family are well-versed in the needs and care of their senior residents.
Silvergate Rancho Bernardo’s full-service retirement community offers independent living, assisted living and memory care options.
From the mature landscaping to the central courtyard, nearly everything a senior needs as they age is provided for on the grounds, Petree said.
“This is the first time we’ve designed something like this,” he said about the community that got its first residents in July 2020. “It’s boutique resort living.”
The community includes 20 cottages, each with their own garage, as well as 185 apartment units and six penthouse apartment units.
A two-story clubhouse is the hub of the community.
“Inside the clubhouse is everything from a yoga studio to a movie theater to a breakfast cafe,” Petree said.
Other amenities include a painting and art studio, fitness center, ballroom, library, media room, game and card room, hair salon and health center, he said
Mary and George Leitner, who joined the Silvergate RB community two months ago, say they have enjoyed friends and activities since moving in.
George and Mary Leitner of Rancho Bernardo have been waiting to move into Silvergate for more than a year. Two months ago — after being able to get the corner apartment they wanted — they moved in.
A combination of factors influenced their decision to try out the community, George Leitner said.
“Our house needed a lot of remodeling and work, and neither of our kids wanted it,” he said. “We also knew what Silvergate was about and knew the people involved. And we already have friends that have moved in.”
A retired small business owner and engineer, Leitner was a past director and vice chair of the RB Community Planning Board.
Since he was involved in the planning process for Silvergate, he said he was able to meet the Petrees and had confidence in them.
Married 59 years, the couple had lived in their large home for 28 years. He said getting rid of stuff and adapting to the smaller space has been challenging. But the obstacles have been balanced by a number of positive experiences, he said.
“We are very familiar with the area — our former home is only about a mile away — and we still walk our same trails. We already know some of the people here and we’re still meeting all kinds of neat people, which is really fun,” he said.
Mary Leitner, a musician, has lots of opportunity to participate in musical activities, which she really appreciates, her husband said.
Opposite the clubhouse side of the Silvergate courtyard, residents have their choice of two dining options.
“We really wanted it to have the feel of going to a restaurant,” Petree said. “Residents can go to El Castillo, which is more of a formal dining room, or Dave’s Bar, a more casual bar/bistro with indoor and outdoor seating.”
The bar was named after his father, David Petree, AmeriCare’s chairman, president and CEO. Matthew Petree, Greg’s brother, oversaw the RB project as the director of property development for AmeriCare. The family’s other two senior facilities are Silvergate Fallbrook and Silvergate San Marcos.
While the RB clubhouse hosts plenty of activities, even more are available across the street at an outdoor activity hub centered around a swimming pool with a large lounge area, showers and barbecues, as well as a putting green and bocce court.
Since the community is pet-friendly, residents can take advantage of the dog lot. A “tot lot” playground is also on-site.
Housed in a separate building are the Memory Care suites.
Petree said the 48 units are built around four “neighborhoods” of 12 apartments each. Residents share central dining and living rooms for common activities, but each has their own private room.
“We pioneered this type of living,” he said. “We found eliminating all the hallways reduces anxiety in the residents. And it’s much easier to keep an eye on everyone this way.”
The back of the building is one huge patio area overlooking a grove of trees, with several areas for lounging, playing games and eating.
With plenty of activities designed specifically for the Memory Care residents, Petree said their loved ones can visit, but also get much-needed breaks.
Pam Degen of Pauma Valley decided Silvergate RB was the best place for her husband, Al Degen, who just celebrated his 99th birthday, when he needed memory care.
Degen, an exercise physiologist, has been married to her husband for 20 years.
“He was also in the medical field. He always believed in preventative maintenance,” she said.
“I like the people I’ve met there, both the staff and friends,” she said. “And the wonderful people and skilled nursing care make me feel good about my choice.”
Her husband has been in the facility since January. She said its proximity to Pomerado Hospital has been appreciated when he needed additional medical attention after a health issue.
“I also like the number of caregivers to patients, as there are four on duty at a time in each neighborhood, plus the other staff,” she said.
Although the drive to Silvergate takes more than an hour from her home each way, Degen said it’s the right choice for them.
“I have help and I can breathe. And why not make the end of your life a good life?” she said.
Petree agreed.
“Don’t confuse what our residents enjoy with the old-fashioned skilled nursing homes. This is not yesterday’s retirement,” he said.
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