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Renovations harken in new long-term care model at Peabody Place

senior woman blowing bubbles long-term care model

The Concord Monitor’s recent article on our expansion and upcoming spring opening details how Peabody is empowering individuals living in a long-term care setting.

Peabody Place, a freshly renovated assisted living facility in Franklin, could easily be mistaken for a luxury hotel.

The three-story building features a granite and brick façade, large manor windows and a view of the Winnipesauke River. But Howie Chandler, the facility’s executive director, is more excited by what the new building represents: a new long-term care model.

He said as residents move from the original, 80-year-old facility to the new building in April, Peabody Place’s care staff will shift away from doting on healthcare needs and focus on providing a meaningful, even fun, lifestyle.

“People don’t usually think of long-term care and fun but that’s really our goal,” he said.

Residents will enjoy private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, which Chandler said are essential for maintaining dignity.

The facility has also made small changes to floor plans to give residents as much control as possible over their lives. Even though all meals are cooked and served by the facility, each room is outfitted with a refrigerator, so residents have control over when and what they eat.

“It doesn’t sound like much but control is so, so important,” he said.

Residents will also have the opportunity to help out around the facility, whether it be cooking, cleaning or organizing events. Even though it’s often easier for staff to quickly complete these tasks on their own, he said the opportunity to help gives meaning to a resident’s daily schedule, one of the most important indicators of longevity, he said.

Construction of the new 63,632 square foot facility is funded by the U.S Department of Agricultural’s Rural Development Fund. Once completed, Peabody Place will more than double capacity and will include 45 assisted living apartments, 13 memory care apartments and 16 independent living apartments.

Amenities include common space for gathering on all floors, a 24-hour emergency response system, memory care services, personal transportation services, a beauty and barbershop, an exercise and wellness room and easy access to downtown Franklin.

Read the full article, “Renovations harken in new long term care model at Peabody Place,” in the Concord Monitor

By TEDDY ROSENBLUTH
Monitor staff