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Ridgewood senior facility draws questions

By Matthew Monks

Comprehensive Care Management Corp. was to make a presentation for a special permit before Community Board 5 Wednesday to run a 10,000-square-foot day-care center at 11-40 Seneca Ave. CCM, which has seven centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Westchester, provides in-patient care that allows elderly people to live independently.”It's going to be a community-based facility for people who visit during the day,” said Susan Aldrich, vice president of the company. “It's really for frail, elderly people… We try to make them stronger and improve their balance so they fall less.” CCM bought a 12,500-square foot building at Seneca Avenue for $900,000 in 2003. It wants to make a 2,400-square-foot addition and open within a year, Aldrich said. The facility would serve between 300 and 400 residents who live within a half-hour radius. Most clients are over age 75 and about a fourth are 86 and older, Aldrich said. The care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. “We will transport them,” she said. “We believe there are a variety of frail, poor elderly people who could tremendously benefit from this program.”There will be no sleeping accommodations and the facility needs a special zoning permit to operate in a manufacturing district, according to CB 5. Board Chairman Vincent Arcuri had several reservations about the project. “That sounds kind of hazardous, moving people of that age around,” Arcuri said. “There will probably be concerns about traffic.” While there are probably many area seniors who would benefit from the program, he said what the neighborhood really needs is affordable senior housing. Reach reporter Matthew Monks by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.