Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Senior Living Community in Chestnut Ridge, NY
Founded in 1966 by Dr. Paul and Ann Scharff, the Fellowship Community has dedicated over five decades to redefining elder care through a holistic, human-centered approach. Our mission integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, fostering intergenerational connections within a rural 80-acre farm setting. We provide tailored support across independent living, assisted care, and memory care phases, emphasizing biodynamic agriculture and therapeutic activities. Recognized nationally as a top 1-2% senior living provider by A Place for Mom, our community combines compassionate caregiving with cultural enrichment, offering residents a purposeful, active lifestyle.With 24/7 on-call support and organic dining options, we prioritize dignity, autonomy, and environmental stewardship. Our legacy of innovation continues through partnerships with the Threefold Community and Rudolf Steiner Fellowship Foundation, ensuring care that transcends conventional models.
Services
Senior Living
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Community Programs
Holistic Care
Details
- Year established: 1966
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of experience in holistic elder care.
- Our 80-acre biodynamic farm supports sustainable living.
- 24/7 on-call assistance ensures resident safety and comfort.
- Recognized as top 1-2% senior care provider nationwide.
- Intergenerational programs foster meaningful social connections.
What people say
Family atmosphere
24/7 on-call support
Organic meals
Intergenerational programs
Beautiful grounds
Services
Senior Living
Independent living apartments and cottages designed for seniors seeking community engagement and natural surroundings. Residents enjoy organic meals, woodland walks, and volunteer opportunities. Our homes blend privacy with social connection in a rural 80-acre setting.
Assisted Living
Tailored support for daily living activities with 24/7 caregiver availability. Services include medication management, mobility assistance, and wellness programs. Caregivers emphasize dignity and independence in a homelike environment.
Memory Care
Specialized programs for residents with cognitive impairments. Secure outdoor spaces, structured routines, and therapeutic activities promote comfort. Staff receive ongoing training in person-centered dementia care approaches.
Community Programs
Intergenerational events, Waldorf-inspired arts, and educational workshops foster connection. Residents participate in gardening, woodworking, and cultural lectures. Seasonal festivals celebrate community bonds and spiritual growth.
Holistic Care
Biodynamic farming practices supply organic produce for meals. Therapeutic gardening, music therapy, and spiritual study groups support mind-body-spirit wellness. Care plans integrate anthroposophic medical principles developed by Dr. Paul Scharff.
People
Dr. Paul W. Scharff
Founder
A pioneer in anthroposophic elder care, Dr. Scharff established Fellowship Community in 1966. His medical background inspired a holistic approach integrating body, soul, and spirit. He developed programs emphasizing intergenerational living and biodynamic agriculture.
Ann Scharff
Co-Founder
As co-founder, Ann Scharff helped shape the community's philosophy of compassionate caregiving. She emphasized social renewal through intergenerational connections and sustainable living practices that remain central to the organization's mission.
Questions
What types of elder care does Fellowship Community offer?
We provide independent living, assisted living, and memory care services tailored to individual needs within a holistic, intergenerational community setting.
Is Fellowship Community accredited?
While not formally accredited, we've received the Best of Senior Living Award from A Place for Mom, recognizing top 1-2% senior care providers nationwide based on resident and family reviews.
What makes your approach to elder care unique?
Our anthroposophic model integrates biodynamic farming, spiritual enrichment, and intergenerational living to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being throughout aging.
Are meals included in residency?
Yes, three organic, chef-prepared meals daily are included, featuring produce from our biodynamic farm and accommodating special dietary needs.
What recreational activities are available?
Residents enjoy gardening, woodworking, watercolor painting, seasonal festivals, and intergenerational events with children from the Otto Specht School.
How do you support resident independence?
We balance autonomy with support through private apartments, volunteer opportunities, and flexible participation in community activities while maintaining 24/7 caregiver availability.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Nevaeh Monique
Apr 12, 2020
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You were transparent! We live in deceptive times people! Keep your eyes open and take heed to those you THINK were a great community! Time has truly shown the blatant lies and other deceptive behaviors that has brought YOUR true characterization to light! This demeanor you have set forth has created a paradox to be generated throughout your community for the way you have treated those outside your community! God is great all the time and he sees and knows the truth. With that being said judgements will come to every man that has done wrong in JESUS name!
Valerie Lucznikowska
May 31, 2019
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Only spent a few hours visiting a friend here, but overall impression was that of friendly, caring, light atmosphere with good attention to relevant cultural activities.
Joan Roach
Mar 21, 2019
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I visited the Fellowship Community to see if I may be able to move there in the near future. I found everyone I talked with to be pleasant, friendly and helpful. I witnessed truly caring people who were taking care of some of the elders who needed special care. There are lots of activities and the location is also lovely. I felt it to be a very special place.
Hope Lieb
Oct 29, 2018
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It's a very nice and quiet Senior citizen community. I met alot of very friendly people who work there. The food is excellent and delicious.
M. Schleif
Mar 24, 2018
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The best solution for retirement living, based on Rudolf Steiner and Anthroposophy. Such nice people live and work here. They grow and prepare their own food, and have stellar presentations, talks, and entertainment.
