Knollwood Nursing Center

Developed by Rogerson, this 120-year-old building was the former Longfellow Elementary School which had been vacant since 1989. Rogerson transformed the building into 44 apartments for low-income elders, while maintaining many of its antique architectural elements, and has managed Longfellow House since it opened in 1999. Public transportation is available at the front entrance, and neighborhood shops and restaurants are within walking distance.The front yard of Longfellow House has been transformed into The Roslindale Public Gardens at Longfellow House, providing beautiful, useable outdoor space for residents and their neighbors. West Roxbury resident Sally Muspratt designed the garden, which has three distinct areas: a formal entrance garden facing Walter Street; raised community gardens for residents and neighbors to plant together; and a shade garden for quiet reading and reflection.

Hale House offers an alternative to institutional care a homelike place when home is no longer possible. The goal of Hale House is to enhance all aspects of living in the later years by offering meaningful choices, social, intellectual and spiritual stimulation and by honoring individual worth in the collective environment for 56 elderly residents at a time. Hale House offers private bedrooms, three healthy daily meals, housekeeping, laundry, engagement activities and on-site nursing24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hale Houses licensed on-site medical care also serves people with serious and chronic illnesses and makes it different from most other residential programs.

Farnsworth House was developed by Rogerson in 1982 for The Farnsworth Housing Corporation to provide rent-subsidized one- and two-bedroom apartments for income-eligible frail elders and others with disabilities. Rogerson has managed Farnsworth House since 1982.Notable Elements:Walking distance to necessary servicesComputer learning centerWeek-day lunch offered on-site for minimal donationActive tenants association plans trips and eventsAreas designed for use by community service and medical providers for both resident and nonresident eldersLive-in staff for emergency responseFirst area facility to encourage ownership of pets; developed model pet policy replicated nationallyComputer center located on-site with Internet access and instruction availableCommunity gardening opportunities available