Heritage Manor Unveils Second Phase Renovations

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation unveiled phase two Thursday of renovations at Heritage Manor Rehabilitation & Retirement Community.

Eric Murray, executive director of senior services, says the total investment for phase two was “a little over $800,000” and added about 2,500 square-feet of space to the building at 517 Gypsy Lane.

Phase 2 includes a therapy gym, rehabilitation solarium, veteran’s courtyard, mock apartment and therapy office to the Schwebel Family Foundation Wing.

Construction began in October of 2021. Murray says he “anticipates completion of phase three toward the end of October.”

Lisa Long, financial resource development director for the federation, says a special feature of phase two is the addition of the veteran’s courtyard.

“Phase two of this project opened up a veteran’s courtyard, which is very important to us and the veterans that we serve. We are the only licensed facility in Mahoning County with the VA,” Long said.

Heritage Manor plans on holding Veteran’s Day programming in the new courtyard. The area will provide all residents with views of flags of four of the U.S. military branches as well as seating and relaxation spaces.

“Every room in the new wing will have a view of the courtyard,” Long said.

Another addition to the nursing center is the model apartment, which features a kitchen area where therapists can help rehab patients acclimate themselves to moving back home and caring for themselves.

“Many people may be going home alone. It’s one thing to do things in a gym, but it’s very different to do things at home,” said Murray.

A therapy gym was also added. It features artificial intelligence monitored technology to better ensure patients can regain a safe level of mobility to move around without assistance .

“The goal of a lot of phase two is to make residents strong enough that they can go home if they want to,” Long said.

The renovations allow more natural light into the building by using large windows that add a more comfortable and modern feel to the facility.

When phase three of the project is completed, Heritage Manor will boast all private rooms and bathrooms.

Long says her fundraising team turned to the community for what they knew would be costly, but lifesaving renovations as the pandemic showed the importance of single occupancy rooms in care facilities.

“We set out to raise $500,000 and to date, we have raised $1.2 million,” she said.

Murray says that the staff received guidelines from the Biden Administration this week that provide rules for the renovations in phase three of the project.

“President Biden has talked about long term care initiatives that mention moving away from multiple occupancy rooms. The [Biden] administration is making a point to move into a new direction. There is continued verbiage to move in the direction of private, or less occupied rooms,” said Murray.

Staffing for the new facility is not yet completed, and recruitment ads went out Monday for medical care staff, staffing director Kristen Sorbo said. The addition of the new Schwebel Family Foundation wing will allow Heritage Manor to move staff from elsewhere in the facility first before hiring new staff.

Pictured above: Renovations at the Heritage Manor include a veteran’s garden.

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