The open house Friday at the Lutheran Social Services campus in Jamestown was held to showcase its new state-of-the-art senior living facilities, but also to remember its former director.
The new Smartment Building was dedicated to Norman C. Berg, LSS executive director from 1969 to 1995. Under his leadership, LSS went from a children's home and nursing facility to offering the learning center and senior housing. His leadership set the stage for the wide range of services the organization offers today.
During an open house and dedication ceremony for the building and for the addition at Hultquist Place, Tom Hold, LSS president and chief executive officer, and Karen Rine, LSS board of directors member, were joined by state Sen. Catharine Young, R-C-I-Olean, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and Elisabeth Rankin, representative for state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-C-Chautauqua County. The dedication ceremony included several remarks from each speaker about how important Berg was to LSS and to the Jamestown community.
''The Smartment Building is like he was, smart and ahead of his time,'' Ms. Rine said.
The Smartment Building facing Falconer Street in Jamestown includes 14 apartments with technology built into them that can help people remain independent and lead healthier lives. The modern, one-bedroom apartments have central air conditioning, a washer-dryer combination, walk-in showers, porches and patios with picturesque views.
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The rent includes all utilities, except phone. Each Smartment has appliances, Wi-Fi, and dishwashers included. The building is nonsmoking and is pet-friendly.
The apartments will come with a touchpad-type computer system that will be used to help individuals stay ahead of their chronic health conditions, preventing more serious illness and hospitalizations. The easy-to-use question/answer format will help to keep seniors aware of health concerns and keep their minds active.
The apartments include Quietcare, a technology Lutheran senior housing has been using for a couple of years. This system tracks motion and activity within the apartments to alert family to changes in activity and behaviors. These changes often go unnoticed by the individuals until medical attention is required. Quietcare includes the personal emergency response alarms that residents wear on their wrist or as a necklace.
''It is safe to say, there is no other building like this in the state,'' Holt said.
The Hultquist Place addition includes a new grand entrance with heated sidewalks and drop-off area. The new living rooms feature a fire place, big-screen television and comfortable seating. In addition, a new convenient beauty shop was created. Along with the amenities in the current Hultquist Place facility, there will be a variety of new activity areas, computer stations, a library and a game room. Other features include garden walkways, a gazebo and a courtyard with an outdoor grill.
''We're absolutely thrilled with this latest development on this wonderful campus,'' Teresi said about the new state-of-the-art building and addition.
Funds for these projects were made available through the healthcare efficiency and affordability law state grants. The intent of the grant is to create a partnership with the federal government, the state and the health care community to create more affordable options for people as they age, lower the costs of long-term care and eliminate duplication of services.
Sen. Young said health care is a critical issue in the state and why it invested millions into the project. The LSS project cost $8.5 million.
''These are a great investment,'' Sen. Young said.
