(PRWEB) June 20, 2014
ST. LOUIS: Construction of Cedarhurst of Sparta, a 50-unit assisted living community, is underway and on target to open summer 2014. The assisted living community will offer seniors in the Southern Illinois area a solution for maintaining their independence and dignity while continuing to live actively.
Construction of the building’s exterior is nearing completion, with construction of the interior scheduled to begin within a few weeks. Unique Homes is the onsite construction management company and will oversee all phases of construction of the new building.
The property is conveniently located in the middle of the Southern Illinois town of Sparta, where an elementary school once stood. A new school was built in a different location to replace the old one.
Tracy Parker, Executive Director at Cedarhurst of Sparta expressed the excitement she and other locals feel at the improvements to the site where the beautiful senior housing community is set to be located.
“When people say Cedarhurst is going to be located at the site of the old Lincoln School, everybody knows where that is. When they closed the school and built a new one, the building sat empty for a long time. It was an eye sore for a long time. It was kind of nice to have Joshua Jennings come in, take care of things, get rid of the eye sore and have something nice go up in this area,” said Parker.
Parker, a registered nurse (RN), was appointed executive director of Cedarhurst of Sparta. Her healthcare career began in 2004. Her experience is in skilled nursing and long-term care with an emphasis in rehabilitation. Parker grew up near Sparta, and now resides only four miles from Cedarhurst.
Cedarhurst of Sparta will offer assisted living apartments, including one bedroom, two bedroom and two bedroom deluxe suites in an environment designed just for seniors. Seniors can bring their own furnishings and decor, and Cedarhurst welcomes fluffy friends, too. Cedarhurst will be a pet-friendly community.
According to Parker, about half of the 50 apartments are reserved by residents who have secured their new home. Cedarhurst is still taking deposits for the remaining apartments and will continue to do so until all are reserved.
Hiring for staff will begin soon and Parker plans to complete that process by the end of June.
In addition to their freshly furnished and decorated apartments, residents will enjoy pampering, activities and meals in a number of additional rooms. The community will feature two laundry rooms onsite. The beauty salon and spa will have mom looking good, and dad can have a massage to relax without leaving the comforts of home. Movie nights in the theater room will be fun with newfound friends.
Residents will be able to dine with groups of friends and neighbors in the large dining room or host a cozy dinner party in the private dining room.
The four seasons room was designed for multi-purpose use. It has plenty of sunshine coming in through the many windows and skylights that brighten and fill the room with warmth. Step through the doors of this large, open room and onto a lovely courtyard to breathe in fresh air. There are two courtyards that are surrounded by flowerbeds, one boasts a raised flowerbed, while the other, a wood burning fireplace.
Amenities to residents will include three meals daily with specialized diets available; paid utilities with the exception of phone service; transportation to local appointments and scheduled activities; weekly cleaning and linen service and medication reminders. Medication management is also available for those who request that additional service. Physical therapy will be conveniently offered onsite.
Residents at Cedarhurst of Sparta will have plenty of fun things to do, but Parker isn’t filling the calendar with events and activities just yet. At Cedarhurst, activities will be resident-driven.
“Inside the building we will probably have musical entertainment, games and church services and offsite, we will likely take residents to church services, local sporting events, special events during holidays and to the little theater to watch plays. But, it will really have to be what the residents want to do. The activities will be specialized according to resident preference. It will be about them,” said Parker.
Parker also noted that residents who are active in the community can take full advantage of transportation to and from community activities, such as the local chamber or rotary events and meetings.