The Palace Group | About Us

For over 45 years, The Palace has redefined what it means to age with dignity, joy, and purpose. Our communities are designed to support every stage of senior living — but more importantly, to celebrate every chapter.

How We Started

21 Bed

Assisted Living Facility

The Palace Today

1,600

Employees

1,500+

Residents

Helen Shaham Founder & Owner, The Palace Group

Jacob Shaham Founder & Owner, The Palace Group

Helen & Jacob Shaham

Founders & Owners
The Palace Group

When Helen & Jacob Shaham founded The Palace in 1980, they weren’t looking to build a business — they were answering a calling. They believed aging should be honored, not managed. That care should be personal. That growing older should still mean living well.

What began as one Miami community with 21 beds has grown into one of the country’s most recognized Senior Living organizations. But it’s still a family operation. You’ll still find the Shahams dining onsite, chatting with residents, and shaping every detail of Palace life: from the care you receive to the meals you enjoy to the people hired to serve you. Helen even shares her personal cell phone number with every new resident and family.

It’s not just leadership. It’s love in action. Every day.

Our Mission

To provide exceptional care in a place that feels like home. We are guided by compassion, powered by excellence, and rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect.

Our Philosophy

We believe in more than meeting needs. We believe in helping people thrive. That’s why every part of life at The Palace — from the meals to the music, the medical care to the morning hellos — is designed to support what we call Living Well.

To us, that means creating an environment where residents feel safe, empowered, and truly supported: physically, emotionally, and socially, too.

Because aging well isn’t about slowing down. It’s about making the most of every day.

What makes us different:

Care that evolves with you, every step of the way
Award-winning programs and beautifully designed spaces
Onsite wellness, medical, and rehab services
A culture of kindness and trust — for residents, families, and staff
Experiences that bring people joy, connection, and meaning

At The Palace, Living Well is more than a promise. It’s our everyday practice.

Every Palace community is designed to feel like home — warm, welcoming, and full of life. With multiple levels of care, luxury environments, and a team that treats you like family, you’ll find more than a place to live. You’ll find a place to belong.

Helen & Jacob Shaham

Founders of The Palace, move to the U.S.A. from Israel. Jacob wanted to work with the elderly. Helen was a hotel controller.

Breezy Acres

A 21 bed Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in Opa-Locka was purchased, becoming their first community.

Calderwood Lodge East & West

A 65-bed ALF in Homestead is purchased next. It is enlarged to 102 beds in 1983.

Calderwood Lodge North

Formerly the Congress Inn Motel, a couple of blocks north of the East & West, is converted, adding 144 ALF beds.

Breezy Acres

Is remodeled and enlarged.

Calderwood Lodge NorthEast

The Shaham's first brand-new building opens, adding 154 ALF beds. By now, with 435 ALF beds, the Shahams are the largest private ALF operator in Dade County.

A 13-acre parcel of land is purchased

It will become The Palace at Kendall.

The Palace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center opens.

Beautifully designed and decorated, this 180 bed, state-of-the-art facility in Kendall is one of the most impressive Rehab Centers in the county!

The Palace Renaissance ALF opens.

Also beautifully designed and decorated, this 198 bed elegant community is the most impressive ALF in the county.

Calderwood Lodge in Homestead

Is completely demolished by hurricane Andrew. Luckily, all the residents were evacuated to The Palace at Kendall and were uninjured. The Palaces at Kendall were also damaged, but not as severely.

The Palace Royale

A 226 bed Catered Living Community adjacent to The Palace Renaissance, opens.

The Palace at Home

Medicare Certified Home Health Agency, is founded.

The Palace Suites

With 180 Independent Living apartments opens and completes The Palace at Kendall's full Continuum of Care.

The Palace Tel-Aviv

A 234-unit CCRC and 132 bed Nursing & Rehab Center in the heart of Tel-Aviv, Israel, is conceived.

The Shaham's sons, Zack and Haim

Join The Palace team further reinforcing the true "family spirit."

US News & World Report

Recognizes 5 Palace Communities as Best in Senior Living.

GALLUP Recognizes The Palace Group

As one of the World’s Most Exceptional Workplaces for a 5th consecutive year.

The Palace at Weston

"Luxury Living for Those 55 and Over" is conceived.

The Palace University

Is founded to promote and enhance employee training and education.

The Palace at Weston 55 & Over is announced

Construction officially breaks ground.

Palace Tel-Aviv CCRC opens.

This magnificent community revolutionizes senior living in Israel.

The Palace at Weston

The only age-restricted community in the City of Weston sells out its 382 apartments.

The Palace at Home

Recognized as one of the top 100 agencies in the US.

The Palace enters into a 99-year Land Lease

With the City of Coral Gables to develop The Palace at Coral Gables. Inspired by the resplendent Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris, this community will set a new standard for luxury senior living.

The Palace at Weston 55

Over opens.

Palace at Weston Senior Living

Receives site plan approval. Palace at Weston Senior Living receives site plan approval. When complete, this luxurious community will have 410 apartments of Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Support.