Construction Update
The steel framework installation continues and as it does the new building not only takes shape — but it becomes an imposing presence as well! Just a recap for those who might be new: The New Peabody Place is being built in two phases. The first phase that is now under construction will be completed by the end of this year and will contain our new Memory Care and our Assisted Living residences. When that phase is complete, we move in and the ‘old’ Peabody Home will be taken down. When that is complete Phase II will begin which will be the addition of independent apartments along with a new entrance. Depending on what can get done next winter, Phase II could take another year to complete.
If the weather holds, we are hoping for concrete as early as next week. Once the floors are in the other trades will make their arrival and things will start to get busy in a hurry.
A sure sign of spring
I forgot to take a photo —— but Today Mariah fired up the outside gas grill for the first time this year. She was concerned that the smell of grilling burgers and dogs would distract our Steel Workers. We are all looking forward to the time when we can return to old fashion BBQ’s when Members can gather round at picnic tables.
Our mask policy has not changed.
Yes, the Governor did lift the statewide mask mandate (for reasons that many of us do not agree with or understand). But that doesn’t change our long-established policy that is what is required of us by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services along with the New Hampshire Department of Public Health. The state has now gone 13 days in a row where there have been over 300 new cases each day. Hospitalizations are down – but only slightly – and at 133 are still almost twice what they were in January. New Hampshire is less than 25% vaccinated — this is not the time to be easing restrictions. We need to do the right thing – not the thing that we want to do because we are tired. We are all hoping for that day to come soon when we can just toss open the doors again!
But What About Nursing?
It has been noticed that when we talk about the new building that we only talk about Memory Support, Assisted Living and Independent Living. No mention of Nursing.
Most Important — Please know right from the start that those Members who presently reside in one of our licensed nursing home bed will be able to receive the care they require next door when they move into Assisted Living. We will be able to do this because we will have a little help from our friends at the Franklin VNA. There are advantages all around for doing things this way. First of all it will save the Members money. Much of the nursing services that will be provide by the Franklin VNA will be paid for by Medicare if provided by them (although not if it is provided by us). We also hope to start other new services such as physical and speech therapy as well.
Much like Goldilocks, we are looking for that perfect balance of how to continue to provide the best in Care and Services and still remain affordable. We have to rethink how we do things and moving away from the classic nursing home licensure is a key component. While this is a new concept to us – it is an approach that is now tried and true.
These are busy days here around Peabody! Please remember that when all is said and done, that Peabody, including the new Peabody Place, is not about the building, but about the Members and Staff inside that building. I am proud to say that I could not be working with a better group of staff!
Until next time,
Howie
