After 78 years of providing care a frail elderly population, Foss Home and Village is testing the waters for a new senior living concept called The Skandia.

The Skandia will feature 176 apartments for adults 62 years or older not yet ready for assisted living or nursing home care, who can still live independently with some limited services.

"The direction of senior care is back towards community based services," said The Skandia's Chief Executive Officer, David A. Crouch.

The trend is to move away from institutional care and bring services to people in their home. The concept is called a Continuing Care Retirement Community.

For instance, some seniors may be starting to feel vulnerable and are looking to situate themselves so they are not a burden on their children. They would move into a facility like The Skandia and receive services as needed while retaining a level of independence.

Some of these seniors will still drive their own cars, be active in the community and some may even be employed.

The Scandia will have underground parking, a variety of dining venues, coffee shop, salon, art studio, and a health and fitness center. Full size open kitchens, washer/dryers, light filled spacious units with views, and choices in wood finishes and countertops would be available in the apartments.

Foss Home and Village, a non-profit organization is one of the largest nursing homes in the state with 210 beds. Foss has 60 assisted living units spread out among six cottages just west of their nursing home.

The Skandia would be located next to Foss Home and Village's main building and assisted living cottages. The organization owns more land adjacent to the buildings and has an agreement to also build on property owned by Luther Memorial Lutheran Church next door.

By having Foss's nursing home, assisting living cottages and The Skandia all in one location, a comprehensive service can be provided as resident needs change.

"We would deliver a continuum of care. If apartment living is too much of a burden, we can move to assisted living as part of the continuum. If warranted they would move from there to nursing care," said Crouch.

The Presbyterian Church and Pacific Retirement Services are now building two Continuing Care Retirement Community centers in Seattle. The later is in the Lake Union area.

The Skandia is the only one being discussed in north Seattle.

Rick Henry, director of marketing and program development for Foss Home and Village said the project is in the strategic planning process.

The Friends Program has been created to assess interest in The Skandia project. "We are excited about it and have had a lot of early interest in the program from people who want to be at the forefront to get information as we develop it. That's a good sign," said Henry.

Foss Home and Village is just getting the word out on The Skandia proposal to gage interest. People who call will be given a questionnaire to fill out.

"This is part of the strategic planning process. We will see next year if it will work. This time next year we will have more answers," said Crouch.

By signing up for the Friends Program, people will receive priority access to a new Information Center to choose a residence and a lock on pricing.

Rick Henry can be reached at 834-2582 or by emailing rhenry@fosscare.org.