Columbus, NE: Celebrating the Completion of Brookestone Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

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“The community just kept coming in, it was so very exciting!” Stated Administrator, Tanya Babel. Along with her entire Leadership team and others, a tremendous open house crowd filled Brookestone Acres to see for themselves, the new, state-of-the-art skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.

Only some 24 months ago the community gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony, Jack Vetter, the company’s Founder, shared with the crowd that the open field would become “one of the finest” rehabilitation centers in eastern Nebraska. His vision for the 19-acre site at the corner of 38th Street and 48th Avenue is now a reality. Brookestone Acres Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation opened it’s doors, capping off a $17 million project that started in October 2012.

As part of the community open house event the Chamber of Commerce Commodores provided a ribbon cutting ceremony and program.  Quality Partner for 15 years, RDG representative, John Bilge states, “Our partnership with VHS is creating meaning together through collaboration, trust & respect for talents.  With Jack Vetter’s vision we feel that we have helped create a loving, meaningful & purposeful environment that becomes home for the elders of Columbus where they are respected, secure, comfortable and happy.  This new building embraces that vision.  VHS is World Class and is changing the view of long term care and how our seniors are cared for.”

The 72,000-square-foot building is divided into two 40-bed “neighborhoods” and four 20-resident “households” aimed at creating an intimate setting that allows residents and team members to better engage with each other.
The building was designed with the same philosophy in mind. Vetter Health Services used a farmhouse theme for Brookestone Acres, which includes a functional bell tower, wraparound front porch and dedicated chapel with stained glass removed from a church in Denison, Iowa. “We found this is really important for this age group,” Mitch Elliott, the company’s chief development officer, said of the chapel used strictly for spiritual activities. “They want that familiarity.”

Brookestone Acres also features a centralized physical therapy gym and multipurpose “great room” near the front entrance that will host community events and educational classes, as well as serve as a gathering place for residents to watch Nebraska football games or enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.

A therapy demonstration featuring the AlterG – anti gravity treadmill was also provided. This particular treadmill, is “Changing the way the world rehabs.” With recovery ASAPP – As soon as physically possible.

Another technology feature at Brookestone Acres is the IN2L, “It’s never to late for seniors to go high tech.” The large 72 inch touchscreen interactive system contributes to more individualized and therapeutic life enrichment programs for patients and residents. Additionally it helps patients & residents stay connected with their families, friends, and communities – via the voice messaging e-mails, through the web cam Skype feature, or through the flip video recorder.

No event would have been complete without tasty eats for the taste buds, personally served by the Brookestone Acres and Vetter Health Services home office teams.

Brookestone Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center is one of 30 facilities owned and/or managed by Vetter Health Services (VHS) in Elkhorn, Nebraska. At Brookestone Acres Rehabilitation & Care Center our administrator and team develop plans to continuously improve their services and facility with the support from the VHS network. Operating decisions are made locally to assure that Brookestone Acres Rehabilitation & Care Center remains responsive to the needs of its residents and community.

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