Senior Living FAQ

FellowshipLIFE is currently the management service operator of Riverwalk Village at The House of the Good Shepherd that has been serving older adults since 1996 as a non-profit faith-based provider of senior living communities, services and programs in New Jersey. FellowshipLIFE expects to complete its Affiliation with Riverwalk Village at The House of the Good Shepherd by spring 2023.

FellowshipLIFE creates innovative opportunities to enhance the lives of older adults. We provide a personalized approach for senior living communities, senior care, Home Care, Wellness and Medical Services. Each of our Life Plan Communities throughout New Jersey offers a vibrant lifestyle with high-quality dining, amenities and services.

We have two options that help protect you against the escalating costs of long-term care: Riverwalk Village Life Plan Community and Fellowship Freedom Plans. Whether you want to remain independent in your home or join our vibrant community, both these options offer choices that will reduce your long-term care costs in the future.

FellowshipLIFE maintains a strong financial position. We do this partially through the diligent oversight of experienced management and committee members, which include the Audit and Financial Committee of the board. Baker Tilly, a top 10 full-service accounting and advisory firm, audits us annually. Fitch, a global leader in credit ratings and research, has consistently assigned a BBB rating with a Positive Outlook. For more information, please view the financial data on our parent site. Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs regulates us.

A Life Plan Community is another name for a Continuing Care Retirement Community, also known as a CCRC. To meet the needs of this generation, senior living communities have transformed from care providers into vibrant villages offering a range of residential options, along with new opportunities for creative, educational and personal exploration. The House of the Good Shepherd offers a full continuum that includes Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living providing skilled nursing care, Post-Acute Rehabilitation and wellness services all on one campus.

Independent Living gives active older adults an opportunity to enjoy their current lifestyle without the burden of home maintenance. At Riverwalk Village, Independent Living residents make the most of this worry-free way of life by tapping into a variety of convenient services and amenities, and forming meaningful connections with like-minded neighbors.

Riverwalk Village is The House of the Good Shepherd’s Life Plan Community providing services that include active adult living with access to varying levels of supportive care. For Independent Living, there is an entrance fee and a monthly service fee, which vary depending on the contract type, size of the residence and number of occupants. We offer a traditional declining refund contract, 90% refundable contract, and a limited annual occupancy (rental) contract. Please make an appointment to learn more details.

We offer 48 Independent Living residences ranging in size from 636 to 2,000 square feet. Choose from a variety of floor plans to suit your needs, including garden apartments, apartment homes, and free-standing cottages. Special features may include a garage, balcony, patio, and great views of the Musconetcong River.

The House of the Good Shepherd has a team ready to support you in moving to our Riverwalk Village community. You will have access to a preferred real estate agent program that matches you with a top local agent to help you sell your home quickly. Our move managers can help you coordinate downsizing and moving logistics.

You are not purchasing the home. Your entrance fee is a one-time payment for maintenance-free living, amenities and services, and priority access to future care.

We welcome pets into our Independent Living family.

Riverwalk Village at the House of the Good Shepherd welcomes older adults of all beliefs and backgrounds.

The minimum age to move into Riverwalk Village is 62. Independent Living at Riverwalk Village is similar to a 55+ community, with more amenities and services to meet your lifestyle. Residents age gracefully in our community due to the benefits of living in a Life Plan Community, with an on-campus continuum of care if they ever need it.

We accept direct admissions from non-residents to Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living and Post-Acute Rehabilitation.

Transportation is provided in Independent Living and Assisted Living on a first-come, first-served basis. Routine weekly trips to area shopping centers are scheduled on specific days and times. Day trips to area attractions are regularly scheduled.

We welcome residents from the community at large.

Yes, we provide respite accommodations for your loved one.

Yes. However, there is a nominal community fee for Assisted Living upon move-in. After that, you’ll pay a monthly service fee.

Riverwalk Village takes a personalized approach to Assisted Living, with levels of care based on the changes and needs of each individual. The costs may be higher or lower depending on the level of care a resident needs. The level of care is based on a clinical assessment, which uses a point system to gauge the level of assistance needed.

Medicare and Medicaid do not cover room and board costs at Assisted Living at Riverwalk Village. However, Medicare may cover some temporary rehabilitative services if needed. Long-term care insurance and veterans benefits may provide limited reimbursement.

Assistance is available any time of the day or night, including 24/7 coverage with a nurse.

Each of our Assisted Living suites is part of a neighborhood that features a lounge, family room, and dinning room for chef-prepared meals. Residents enjoy well-appointed common spaces that foster deeper connections with others in a homelike atmosphere within the neighborhood.

Riverwalk Village takes a personalized approach to Assisted Living, with levels of care based on the changes and needs of each individual. The costs may be higher or lower depending on the level of care a resident needs. The level of care is based on a clinical assessment, which uses a point system to gauge the level of assistance needed.

We offer Enhanced Assisted Living, which provides Skilled Nursing Care within our Assisted Living neighborhood, with 24/7 nursing care available.

Yes, we welcome admission directly into our Enhanced Assisted Living Program for Post-Acute Rehabilitation services before returning home.

Yes, our rehabilitation and wellness program is designed to help individuals recover from an injury and continue to maintain optimal health. This program is available for post-recovery or as part of an ongoing fitness and wellness program.

We accept Medicare B for covered services or private payments from individuals. We accept most private insurance. Please inquire for details at 908-580-3827.

Every person receives an individualized treatment plan based on their specific rehabilitation needs and input from their doctor.

FCL (Fellowship Connected Living) is a smart solution that uses technology to deliver content, care and connection to those who want to live independently in their own home.

The AI technology monitors conditions in the environment, identifies comfort or safety risks that may be present, and alerts caregivers to potential risks. Fellowship Connected Living powered by Livindi facilitates the proper and necessary care for mom and dad when needed and enables communication and connectivity between a Personal Care Navigator, family, and loved ones to minimize the effects of isolation, provide meaningful connectivity and engaging content.

Sensors are placed in the home that observe and feed data on a continuous basis through your Livindi tabletop device. This information is then interpreted, and a baseline level of activity is created for each specific household depending on individual habits. The information that is gathered is then reported through the LivindiApp to your Personal Health Navigator and a network of designated caregivers chosen by you.

When there is a change in a household pattern or condition from baseline, Livindi automatically reports this change to the established network of caregivers. A deviation from baseline could be a signal for a potential health or well-being challenge in your loved one’s home. Once an alert is received, the recipient can determine the appropriate response that is needed to ensure your loved one’s safety, well-being and comfort. You can rely on Fellowship Connected Living for many different services, such as care coordination, medication reminders, regular check-ins, emergency backup, or to request additional care or support in your home.

The tabletop device also provides access to a library of content that is provided through Fellowship Connected Living. The library includes both live and pre-recorded content. From exercise videos to a live art therapy class your loved one can stay connected and engaged. Videoconferencing, photo sharing, and video sharing through cellular connectivity with personally designated contacts is delivered through one-finger screen-touch access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No. Livindi’s sensors passively monitor such things as movement, speed of movement, temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, among others. Livindi software uses smart technology to interpret this information in real time all the time.

If you struggle with balancing your daily work and family responsibilities while simultaneously caring for a loved one or friend, then Fellowship Connected Living is your perfect solution. Let us help ease the burden of caregiving and enable your loved one to live independently, through Fellowship Connected Living powered by LIVINDI.

Our Home Care services are private pay.

Yes, but you are responsible for paying our invoices upon receipt. As a courtesy, we will submit the appropriate documentation on your behalf, and payments will be sent directly to you unless you choose to assign the benefits to us.

We are proud to offer an array of care management, personal home care and concierge services. We are available to offer a complimentary assessment to determine the specific services that meet your needs. Learn more about our Home Care Services.

Yes. We require a minimum of 4 hours per visit.

You will be billed on the 15th of the month for the previous month.

Yes, we will respond within an hour of your call and schedule the assessment within 24 hours.

When you and a physician have discussed if your loved one is ready to move to comfort care if a cure is no longer an option, it may be time to consider hospice. Our hospice team is ready to help you obtain an improved quality of life and seek comfort. Learn more about our hospice care services.

Hospice services can be anywhere and anytime as needed. The goal is to remain as independent as possible.

Yes, you may continue to see your own doctors.

These services are covered by Medicare Part A, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans.

The goal of hospice is to improve your loved one’s quality of life, and to allow dying to take place naturally and without pain.