A 14-unit independent living apartment complex with resident-specific home-based monitoring technology is being built at Lutheran Social Services.
Ground was broken Friday for the complex, which officials report will help keep individuals independent longer, as LSS strives to meet the needs of thousands of baby boomers who turn 65 years old daily. Those reaching senior years previously had limited choices, reported LSS officials Friday, who said they seek to "right-size long-term care" between the services they offer.
State Sen. Catharine Young said the new building, combined with other choices offered at LSS, "makes sure seniors have needs met at every stage of their lives," while Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi said it is an example of what can happen when people work together in the interest of others and not just their own selves.
"We work together to make life all that it can be," he said.
The housing options at LSS are being made available with assistance from New York state's Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law. The HEAL NY funds are used to create partnerships between the federal government, state and the health care community in attempts to right-size health care delivery, eliminate duplication of services, promote alternative care at appropriate levels and cost and reduce costs of health care.
See HOUSING, Page A-3
From Page A-1
They have been used at LSS for its Warner Place Day program, which serves those needing nursing care during the day but live in their own homes; Hultquist Place Assisted Living, which combines residential and home care services as staff assists with meals, medications and personal care and is undergoing expansion, and the new Smartment building for which ground was broken Friday at the senior housing/Edgwood Communities Campus.
Smartment "creates the newest alternative for remaining independent," states information about the building that will house the units, where, they report, technology prevents hospitalization and emergency department visits. The three projects total $23 million and join LSS's nursing home.
"These three projects represent a sea change in how we will meet the needs of seniors in our community today and in the future," said Tom Holt, president and chief executive officer of LSS, who said limited choices resulted in people receiving care at a wrong level or not at all. He said five years ago, LSS was a nursing home provider with some senior housing.
"By the end of this year, we will be a dynamic, fully integrated provider ... able to meet virtually any need a senior may have, short of hospitalization," he said.
"We can ensure the right care, in the right setting and at the right cost," said Holt.
