The Coves at River Garden
What is independent living?
Independent living is a residential option for older adults who manage their own daily routines. The Coves at River Garden is the independent living community on the River Garden campus in Jacksonville, Florida. Residents live in private apartments and have access to shared amenities, scheduled programs and on-site services.
What is included in the rent at The Coves at River Garden?
Rent at The Coves at River Garden includes:
- Light housekeeping
- Transportation
- Dinner
- Fitness programs
- Social programs
- A 24/7 emergency response system
- Cable and internet
- Utilities
What is the minimum age to live here?
Residents must be at least 62 years old. There is no maximum age, as long as individuals are able to live independently.
Admissions
Does River Garden have visiting hours?
River Garden does not have set visiting hours. Visitors are welcome at any time. All visitors check in at the Guardhouse on arrival, which keeps the campus safe and secure.
Is there an opening for long-term care at River Garden?
Long-term care placement depends on availability and may involve a waitlist. Availability changes, so contact the River Garden Admissions Office for current openings and to request a long-term care application. There is no application fee. Call 904.260.1818.
How long is a short-term rehabilitation stay at River Garden?
Length of stay depends on the person’s medical condition, therapy goals and rate of progress. There is no fixed timeline.
After an assessment, the River Garden interdisciplinary team builds a personalized care plan with functional milestones. Residents are discharged when they can safely return home or move to the next level of care with the necessary support services in place.
What is respite care?
Respite care is a planned short stay that gives a family caregiver a break. The person receives the same nursing support, meals and daily programs as a long-term resident. Respite care at River Garden is arranged through the Admissions Office at 904.260.1818.
When is it time to consider skilled nursing care?
Skilled nursing care may be appropriate when a health condition begins to affect strength, mobility, memory or the ability to manage daily life safely. Common signs include:
- Needing help with bathing, dressing or eating
- Needing help transferring from a bed or chair
- Requiring medication management, wound care or regular medical oversight
- Frequent falls or repeat hospitalizations
- Growing caregiver concern at home
The River Garden Admissions team can review the situation with a family and recommend the appropriate next step. Call 904.260.1818.
What makes skilled nursing care at River Garden different?
Care plans at River Garden are built around each resident’s routines and personal goals. Every plan addresses physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, and residents choose how they spend the day. Families receive regular updates and are included in care decisions.
What is skilled nursing care?
Skilled nursing care provides 24-hour clinical support from licensed nurses. It is for people who need ongoing medical care, rehabilitation or help with daily activities because of illness, injury, surgery or a chronic health condition. It is often the right setting after a hospital stay or when long-term nursing support is needed.
At River Garden, residents in skilled nursing also have access to personalized therapy programs and daily social programs.
What levels of care does River Garden provide?
River Garden provides eight levels of care on one Jacksonville campus:
- Short-term rehabilitation
- Long-term care
- Respite care
- Independent living at The Coves
- Memory care
- Adult day
- Companion care
- Outpatient therapy
Where is River Garden located?
River Garden is located at 11401 Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville, Florida. All levels of care are provided on one campus. The main number is 904.260.1818.
Jewish Life
Does River Garden offer religious services?
Yes. Services held on the River Garden campus include:
- Kabbalat Shabbat, Fridays at 4 p.m.
- Traditional Shabbat morning services, Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.
- Catholic Mass
- Non-denominational Christian services
Can I bring outside food in for a resident at River Garden?
Yes, with one condition. Food prepared at home or in a restaurant may be enjoyed privately in the resident’s room or outdoors on the grounds.
Dining rooms and other indoor spaces are reserved for food prepared in the River Garden kitchens. Honoring this guideline preserves the Kosher identity of the Home.
What does it mean that River Garden is a Kosher home?
All food prepared in and served from the River Garden kitchens is Kosher. River Garden has followed traditional Jewish dietary laws since it was founded more than 80 years ago.
Does River Garden serve people of all faiths?
Yes. The mission of River Garden is to serve people of all faiths while maintaining an environment informed by Jewish values. Rehabilitation services and residential care are open to everyone.
Life Enrichment and Volunteers
How do I volunteer at River Garden?
Contact the River Garden Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@rivergarden.org or complete the volunteer form on rivergarden.org. The Volunteer Coordinator follows up with available opportunities.
What is the minimum age for teen volunteers at River Garden?
The River Garden teen volunteer program accepts volunteers ages 13 to 17.
Where can I find the River Garden activity calendar?
Activity calendars for River Garden, The Coves and Memory Care are posted on rivergarden.org under the Resources tab, in Life Enrichment Calendars.
When are activity programs offered at River Garden?
Activity programs run seven days a week and cover a range of interests. Programs include Bingo, music events, arts and crafts, exercise, flower arranging, ceramics and live performances.
Rehabilitation
What is the difference between memory care and skilled nursing care?
Memory care is built around cognitive change. It provides a secure environment, staff trained in dementia support and structured activities for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
Skilled nursing care is built around medical need. It provides 24-hour nursing support for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery, or living with a chronic condition. Both are available on the River Garden campus as a person’s needs can change over time.
When is memory care needed for someone living with dementia?
Memory care may be appropriate when a person living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia needs more supervision than can be provided at home. Common signs include disorientation, wandering, safety concerns and a growing need for help with daily activities.
Memory care at River Garden provides a secure environment, specially trained staff and structured daily activities designed to support comfort, dignity and quality of life.
Can River Garden help someone living with Parkinson’s disease?
Yes. River Garden provides a continuum of care for people living with Parkinson’s disease, including rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, adult day services and outpatient therapy. The interdisciplinary team builds personalized care plans that address mobility, safety and daily function.
What are the early signs of Parkinson’s disease?
Early signs of Parkinson’s disease may include:
- Tremors
- Stiffness
- Slower movement
- Balance problems
- Changes in handwriting
- Loss of smell
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty walking
Symptoms usually develop gradually and vary from person to person. Anyone noticing several of these symptoms should speak with a healthcare provider for an evaluation.
Does insurance cover rehabilitation at River Garden?
Coverage varies by insurance provider and plan type. River Garden staff verify coverage before service begins. Checking with the insurance company again during the course of care is also helpful.
How is an inpatient therapy care plan created?
An interdisciplinary team completes an initial assessment and then designs a custom plan. The team includes medical, nursing, social work, dietary, life enrichment and therapy staff.
The plan sets personal goals, functional milestones and goals for discharge.
Does outpatient therapy at River Garden require a physician referral?
Yes. Outpatient therapy at River Garden requires a physician referral. Call 904.260.1818 to begin scheduling.
What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation?
Inpatient rehabilitation includes 24-hour support while the person lives on the River Garden campus. Outpatient rehabilitation is scheduled by appointment while the person continues to live at home.
How often will I receive therapy?
Therapy sessions usually run two to five days per week. Each session lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The exact schedule is set by the personal care plan.
What types of therapy does River Garden offer?
River Garden offers three core therapies:
- Physical therapy for strength and balance
- Occupational therapy for daily tasks
- Speech therapy for communication and swallowing
You can contact the River Garden Hebrew Home at 904.260.1818 or The Coves Independent Living at 904.292.2683. The campus is located at 11401 Old St. Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258.
Yes. River Garden offers Outpatient Rehabilitation for members of the community. Typically, these services require a referral from a doctor and are paid by insurance.
While located in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, River Garden serves families throughout Northeast Florida and South Georgia, including Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Fernandina Beach.
The Memory Care program is designed to provide supportive and clinical services for those with advanced memory loss. It focuses on maintaining the dignity of the resident while offering specialized activities and care in a secure, dedicated area of the Home.
Yes. Independent living is offered at The Coves at River Garden. It features gracious apartments on the same 40-acre Mandarin campus, allowing residents to maintain an active lifestyle with the security of knowing additional care is available if needed.
River Garden is a 5-Star rated community by state and federal regulatory authorities. It has also earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the Governor’s Gold Seal Award for Long-Term Care, reflecting its commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality.