Families Anticipate Benefits of The Neighborhoods at Brookview
- February 04, 2013
Foundation donation envelopes to arrive at Brookings area homes this week
When Brookview Manor residents move into The Neighborhoods at Brookview this summer, they will enjoy triple the space per resident, more privacy and staff who will be cross-trained in multiple areas. This translates to an enhanced quality of life.
“When my family comes to visit, I’ll have my own room where the little kids can move around and look out the window,” said Brookview Manor resident Ray LaRoche. “We can go out to our household living room or have some lemonade in the town center.”
“Make this House a Home” campaign logo
LaRoche currently shares a room with another resident. After moving to The Neighborhoods at Brookview, each will have a 235 square foot private room.
In a survey conducted prior to the design of The Neighborhoods at Brookview, Brookview Manor residents indicated more space and more privacy at the top of their wish list. Brookings Health System administration believes the new facility will encourage increased visitation from families and friends.
LaRoche’s son Terry Taylor of Madison, S.D., says he will appreciate the freedom to visit his dad without the need to call ahead to reserve a room.
“With our three young children, finding space in the current facility is a challenge. The new home-like design will make it easier,” he said. “We are so happy with our decision to come to Brookview Manor and the new Neighborhoods will make the environment that much better for Raymond and our family.”
While Brookings Health System has the funding to build the new house, Brookings Health System Foundation is asking the community to help raise $600,000 by June 1 to “Make This House a Home.” This week, a campaign donation envelope will arrive at area homes in the Town and Country Shopper. LaRoche is honorary campaign chair.
The facility will have consistent staff dedicated to each household so residents and families become comfortable with their usual staff. Those staff will also be cross-trained in multiple areas such as dietary, housekeeping, and activities which will aid in serving residents’ daily needs.
“This creates a friendlier, supportive relationship between staff and residents,” says Brookview Manor Administrator Jason Hanssen. “Research shows this arrangement produces healthier residents, happier employees and overall better care.”
The new, pod-style facility will have three distinct neighborhoods. Each neighborhood will consist of two households that will accommodate 13 residents, a total of 26 residents per neighborhood. The neighborhoods and households will include a kitchen, dining room, private family dining, living room area, laundry facility, spa area and other amenities, enabling residents to live in a home-like atmosphere.
Foundation Development Officer Barb Anderson says funds will be used to purchase items over and above the building project budget, which may include pianos, video projectors, art by South Dakota artists, raised garden beds, a pool table, landscaping, a bus and bus garage, whirlpool tubs and a system to pipe oxygen to each room.
Donations can be made to the campaign online at www.brookingshealth.org/foundation or mailed to Brookings Health System Foundation, 300 Twenty-Second Avenue, Brookings.
About Brookings Health System Foundation
Brookings Health System Foundation works to cultivate philanthropic gifts to support charity health care for those less fortunate; health and wellness education; facility, equipment, and technology upgrades; and other needs as they arise at Brookings Health System. For more information about Brookings Health System Foundation or how you may contribute, please contact Foundation Officer Barb Anderson at (605) 696-8855 or foundation@brookingshealth.org.
About Brookings Health System
Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed Brookview Manor nursing home, and Brookhaven Estates apartments. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock medical-nursing care for patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at www.brookingshealth.org.