Under Construction: Levindale Raises the Bar with Expansion
Leaders at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital are operating under the adage "a rising tide lifts all boats," meaning that improvements in the general physical plant environment will touch everyone who comes to live, heal, work and visit.
A number of renovation pro
jects at Levindale are planned for the next couple of years to offer more services, make better use of existing space, and create even more of a home-like experience benefiting residents, visitors and staff.
"We have a renewed focus on the patient's experience," says Deborah Graves, executive vice president of LifeBridge Health. "We are creating a warm environment and working to upgrade any area that still has an old institutional look and feel, as well as adding patient and resident safety initiatives. This is more than new carpet and paint - this is truly understanding the flow of care services, including fall and infection control initiatives. This is home for so many people, including our staff who probably spend more time here than at their own."
Renovations to units and common and staff work areas will elevate the experience for patients and residents and enable employees to practice at the top of their roles and certifications, Graves says.
Recently, Levindale celebrated the grand opening of its new café. Located on the ground floor of the Burk building, the café has state-of-the-art food service equipment and booths and high-top seating (with charging stations) for staff, residents and visitors. The remodeling project was a partnership between LifeBridge Health and Metz Culinary Management.
Levindale is building on the success of its renovated cafeteria as it completes an overhaul to the subacute unit. A former activities space has been converted to a state-of-the-art rehabilitation gym and spa, complete with shampoo stations and showers, a refreshment station and an updated staff area. The seven-phase project, expected to reach completion later this month, also includes upgrades to patient rooms, nursing stations and physician areas, including padded flooring throughout the unit for improved safety.
In addition, Halls 1 and 2 will have renovated activity space and a new dining and social area that will bring food preparation from the kitchen into the dining room to create a total sensory dining experience.
On the heels of a full Burk HVAC upgrade completed a few months ago, environmental renovations continue throughout the facility. Future projects include common space upgrades to lighting, flooring, carpeting and hand rails to promote infection control and safety.