Multimillion dollar renovations usually just involve improvements to infrastructure and physical elements of a long-term care community, but in the case of Crest Pointe Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Point Pleasant, NJ, a major thrust of the project is work on intensive clinical services.
A centerpiece of the $3 million new construction and renovation is substantial program enhancement to post-acute clinical services — specifically, cardiac care services tailored for individuals with challenging or life-threatening heart conditions, patients recovering from cardiac surgery, and individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. The center is also waiting for state approval to add hemodialysis services to its clinical portfolio.
“The program is designed to promote independence and quality of life through reducing symptoms and decreasing disability in heart patients while increasing their participation in physical and social activities,” says Marta O’Conner, project manager and coordinator for construction and design, quality control and standards.
The 30,000-square-foot expansion of the 118-bed skilled-nursing and rehab center includes nearly 3,000 square feet of extra space for physical and occupational therapy, as well as a larger lobby and reception area. The design is holistic, “a huge conglomeration of construction and clinical services,” she says. “It’s not just interiors and finishes to make it look pretty.”
Marquis Health Services, which provides skilled nursing administrative services for Crest Pointe, was instrumental in developing the Cardiac Care Program. The reasoning behind its inception is that “this is the expectation of a progressive rehab provider,” says Dina Napolitano, director of recruitment for Marquis Health Services.
With COVID-19 still a concern, the long-term care industry is looking at best design practices to guard against the virus. Among the hygiene and mitigation efforts at Crest Pointe are socially distanced furniture placement, germ-resistant surfaces, laminates for furniture, and fabrics that can be bleached without abrasion or discoloration.
But just because functionality is an emphasis doesn’t mean aesthetics aren’t important, O’Conner says.
“People want to feel at home and want their families to feel welcome — this is ingrained in us as designers,” she says. “We have designed a space that is welcoming, with an open lobby and ‘homey’ sections for families to gather. Artwork is an important design element, with abstract pieces that are visual and graphic. A strong color palette with blues and teals illuminates the décor. It is an elegant and classic look.”
From the October 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
