At Luthercare, we are committed to creating a dynamic culture and a vibrant atmosphere in our senior living communities. We value both community and independence and understand each individual resident’s unique needs, principles and preferences, and that extends to our Healthcare Centers and our efforts to provide an outstanding resident experience.
Today’s skilled care centers – with home-like accommodations, an emphasis on choice, and a variety of social and recreational opportunities – are a far cry from the “nursing homes” of years past.
Whether it’s short-term rehabilitation or long-term care that is needed, the services at our Healthcare Centers include short-term and postoperative rehabilitation; physical, occupational and speech therapies; skilled nursing care; and memory support. And our therapeutic recreation teams ensure that residents can enjoy enriching, fulfilling and fun activities and events.
At Luther Acres in Lititz and Spang Crest in Lebanon, we are undertaking significant renovations to our skilled care centers that, when completed, will provide beautifully updated spaces for our residents and team members to enjoy.
The Luther Acres Healthcare Center is in the middle of a full renovation, including remodeled resident rooms and redesigned gathering spaces and nursing stations. The project is expected to be completed by May 2020. Meanwhile, Spang Crest – which has seen renovations to its recreational areas, rehabilitation resident rooms, and nursing stations – will see renovations to its first floor as well in 2020.
Throughout the renovation process, our therapeutic recreation teams work to provide our residents with programming that touches their mind, body, and spirit.
“We have begun working with smaller groups who have specific shared interests, from painting to trivia to bingo. We can offer a variety of programming and really support individuals in their pursuit of leisure interests,” says Mary Schreiber, Therapeutic Recreation Manager at the Luther Acres Healthcare Center.
Karen Kreiser, Activities Manager at Spang Crest, says a new favorite program is Sports Bar & Drill, where residents can have a glass of wine or beer and answer trivia, much like many of the bars and pubs in the surrounding communities offer.
“For our rehab residents, we recently started a hospitality cart to bring snacks and treats door-to-door as well as traveling trivia visits, just in case they don’t have the time to come to organized programs,” Karen says.
Both campuses happily welcome pets and visits from pets, and we strongly believe they positively impact our residents’ health and well-being. Studies have shown us that there are many health benefits to interacting with pets. Pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness, and they can increase opportunities for socialization, outdoor activities and exercise. Luther Acres has a resident campus dog, Rosie, a miniature goldendoodle, and she spends many hours visiting with Healthcare Center residents.
Residents also appreciate the intergenerational programs available at both campuses, whether they are programs with children from our Luthercare for Kids Early Learning Centers or the local schools.
“Our residents also really enjoy giving back to the community, and we have service projects every month with opportunities to help others and share our skills and talents,” Karen says.