Renovation planned at Augustana

The outside of Augustana Care Center has looked the same for many years and that look isn’t about to change. Inside, though, it will soon be a different story. You won’t recognize it.

A major $1.4 million renovation project began several weeks ago on the first floor of the building, and will continue for the next eight months. There will be new lighting and electrical work, a new ventilation system, new carpeting and flooring in all rooms and common areas, new tile in the bathrooms, new energy-efficient windows, new draperies and window coverings. New colors aim to be soft and soothing.

Planning for this renovation began two years ago, according to Denise Dawson, campus marketing director for Augustana Health Care Center of Hastings.

“The decision was sound, financial planning,” she said. “This is a major renovation keeping the residents and the community in mind.”

The Augustana Care Campus in Hastings includes the care center and the Park Ridge Apartments independent living building (with special concierge services now provided for residents).

The first phase of the project is on the first floor or transitional care unit, said Dawson. Located there is the walk-out area to the patio, offering a nice view of a ponding area.

“Transitional care is for those who are recovering from an injury or an illness following hospitalizations and need extra time to recover and regain the ability to perform life’s daily tasks,” said Dawson. “Our transitional care unit is designed to meet the needs of adult patients who do not require the full resources of acute hospital care but are not quite ready for discharge.”

The first completed room in the transitional care unit is expected to be complete by the end of September with the remainder done by January.

The rooms are located on the same floor as the therapy and that is for a good reason, Dawson.

“At Augustana we provide physical, occupational and speech therapy by licensed therapists and assistants,” she said. “We boast high success rates in strengthening and improving those in our care toward their best potential, so they can resume their daily lives.”

The second floor of the care center is designated to the residents who call Augustana home, Dawson said. The long-term care renovations will mirror the upgrades made to the first floor. Some additional things will be added as well.

“The plan is to bring the physical surroundings up to the high standards of the care which is provided here,” said Dawson.

The ongoing planning and renovations have been supervised by administrator Larry Vanderpoel, with input from staff and residents. The general contractor is Ken Hedberg with Karen Keenan handling the design work. The work is expected to be completed by April.

Meanwhile, there are changes occurring in the Park Ridge Apartments next door, again designed to meet the needs of the residents.

Concierge services in such areas of housekeeping, meals, help with medications and bathing has been offered for some time. These additional services are done under the supervision of a registered nurse.

“Again, they embellish what we already have the in the building,” said director Tammy Hase. “But we are meeting a need.”

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