CENTER CONSOLIDATES SENIOR
HEALTH SERVICES
The senior health center as presently conceived will bring together the
services of Mere Point Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation and the
hospital's Bodwell skilled nursing unit to form a 42-bed licensed
nursing unit. Also planned are 36 assisted living apartments and 12
Alzheimer's and memory impairment apartments. Additionally, there will
be a full range of rehabilitation and wellness services to serve both
the senior population and the community at large.
"Certainly, we are looking at all health related needs in the
aging community," explained Herbert Paris, Mid Coast Health
Services President and Chief Executive Officer. "Mid Coast
Health Services already is providing many senior services and
our facilities will require future expansion to keep pace. The
Baribeau Drive location, particularly with its adjacency to
the Thornton Oaks Retirement Community, is a tremendous neighborhood.
This project makes excellent use of our current Mid Coast property."
Kennedy, director of dining services for Bowdoin College, chaired the
college's building committee for the Moulton Union renovation. She has
also served on building committees overseeing construction at the Smith
Union Student Center and renovation and expansion of the Wentworth
Dining Hall and associated dormitories.
She is a member of the Mid Coast Hospital building committee. A
registered dietitian, Kennedy has worked for a number of health care
facilities, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Salem Hospital as
that organization opened a long-term care facility, and the Berkshire
Medical Center in Massachusetts.
FACILITY CHANGES TO OCCUR AFTER
NEW HOSPITAL
OPENS
"We have conducted a feasibility study that verifies the critical
need for expanding and improving services to our senior population. When
Mid Coast Hospital vacates the 58 Baribeau Drive location, we will be
able to go inside and renovate without disruption to current
services," said Kennedy.
"Our studies suggest that some of the existing administrative
areas will not be useful at all for serving residents. Those spaces
along Baribeau Drive will be demolished. Some new, more useful
residential care space will likely be added.
"The result will bring together just what we want: quality
facilities that take into account senior lifestyles and the needs of
families who will be regular visitors."
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