In anticipation of the arrival of the first residents later this month, LECOM Health administrators and the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the LECOM Senior Living Center (SLC), 5535 Peach Street, Erie, PA. After more than two years of planning and construction, the newest facility in the growing LECOM Health System is ready to open.
The SLC will bring together exciting and innovative, patient-centered health care in a skilled-nursing center with the “feel of home.”
“LECOM has developed an innovative model of care that is far from the traditional, sterile nursing home environment,” said James Lin, D.O., director of the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging and a fellowship-trained geriatric physician. “We are meeting our community’s health care needs by providing advanced care for the elderly in an exciting new living center that will provide an enjoyable, community-based experience for the residents.” The LECOM Senior Living Center adds to the continuum of care that is designed to maintain the high quality of life for the center’s residents.
With the recent acquisition of the Parkside Senior Living Communities, LECOM Health now offers a full continuum of care from independent living and personal care apartments to skilled nursing care at the SLC and outpatient services under the direction of the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging.
The first 50 SLC residents arrive on June 22 as they leave the Millcreek Manor via an indoor corridor that connects the Manor to the SLC. The center next welcomes residents who are transferring from Pleasant Ridge Manor East to the new facility. Once everyone is settled in to their new private suites, the staff will be ready to take new admissions.
The LECOM Senior Living Center has created 250 jobs. The facility also will allow the College’s medical, pharmacy, and dental students to work collaboratively and to learn more effectively the complexities of caring for the elderly.
LECOM has invested more than $42 million in the 151,000-square-foot, skilled-nursing facility. The five-story facility will have the 138 private rooms grouped in neighborhoods of 18 rooms.
More about the LECOM Senior Living Center
Each of the facility’s residents will have private rooms with private bathrooms. The living spaces have been designed with their comfort, privacy, and need for space in mind.
Each floor also will have communal dining and activity areas that will allow residents to better know their neighbors and to allow staff to better support residents’ individual needs and interests.
Other features and amenities of the facility include:
- A dedicated rehabilitation gym area for physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
- A full-service pharmacy, spa, beauty salon, and restaurant.
- Computer stations and wifi availability.
- Security on site 24 hours a day.
- Geriatric outpatient services through the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging.
- An indoor corridor connecting the facility to Millcreek Community Hospital.