Life Care Center of Bardstown breaks ground on $6 million expansion project

Life Care resident Judy Saalwaether closes her eyes while singing “God Bless America” Monday, June 25, 2012, at the groundbreaking of the facility’s $6 million expansion and renovation project. Click to enlarge.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Monday, June 25, 2012, 4:30 p.m. — With the sound of 1940s big band music as a backdrop, Life Care Centers of American officials broke ground Monday morning on a $6 million expansion that will add a 5,200 sq. ft. residential wing as well as a 2,600 sq. ft. therapy gym to the existing Life Care Center of Bardstown.

The project also includes construction of a new garage, entryway and a new courtyard. Renovations of the existing building will include new finishes throughout, renovation of the dining room, activities room, nursing stations and central bathing room, and adding a cafe and resident lounge.

Beecher Hunter, president of Life Care Centers of America, welcomed the guests and opened the ceremony with a prayer before introducing the owner of the Bardstown facility, Sam Kellett.

“What we’re doing today is embarking in new era in the skilled nursing arena,” Kellett said.

From left, Beecher Hunter, president of Life Care Centers of America; Sam Kellett, owner of Life Care Center of Bardstown; and Forrest L. Preston, chairman of Life Care.

The new wing will include 15 private rooms, and the facility renovation will convert 15 semi-private rooms to private rooms. This is being done to meet the growing demand for private rooms among those who need long-term care, he said.

“Ninety-five percent of the families and patients request a private room,” he said. The company is planning to adapt the Bardstown Center and several others to include private rooms.

The renovation includes a renewed focus on rehabilitation, he said. The new therapy gym will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and allow patients to to Life Care for rehabilitation after surgery or injury and then go home. Patients no longer will need to stay at out-of-town facilities for the rehabilitation services.

“We want to get them well and get them home,” he said. “The major beneficiary of what we’re doing is the patient, and that’s as it should be.”

Forrest L. Preston, chairman of Life Care Centers of America, told the crowd it was a great day for the facility. “We’re really excited as to what this will look like when it gets done,” he said.

Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, Life Care resident Judy Saalwaether, sang “God Bless America,” prompting the crowd to sing with her for a second time through the song. Guests then dined on a catered lunch of barbecue pork and all the trimmings.

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