(Grinnell, IA – March 8, 2019) After much anticipation, the new Hammond Center for Assisted Living, named in honor of Montie and Betty Hammond, opened on March 4 when its first tenant, Leila Maring, was welcomed to her new home. Leila then helped to welcome fellow tenants Janyce Heishman and Margaret VanDerKamp, who moved in on subsequent days. By the end of March, 10 tenants will call the Hammond Center “home.” Of the 10 remaining apartments, deposits have already been received from several others interested in moving to the Hammond Center for Assisted Living.
“In designing and furnishing the Hammond Center for Assisted Living, we made every effort to provide tenants with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community,” said Manager/RN Sammi Bryan. “We hope our tenants will enjoy the charming home-like setting filled with warm and inviting common areas from our cozy living room and comfortable dining room to a lower level filled with over 9,000 sq. ft. of amenities.”
The amenities available on the center’s lower level, which can be conveniently accessed by elevator or stairs, include an exercise room with a 50-yard walking track and equipment including an elliptical, recumbent stepper, recumbent bike, latitude lateral stability trainer, and an adjustable tower system, an aerobics room for fitness classes and line dining, a movie theater and conference room, a reading and craft room, a quilting and sewing room, and a game room with a pool table, refrigerator and bar. These amenities, along with a variety of fitness classes offered by Fitness Director Kayla Faas, are designed to help keep tenants physically, mentally and socially active. Activities Director Abby Moyer also has many fun programs and events planned including a weekly happy hour!
The lower level amenities are available for use by all residents of the life-plan community including those in independent living at Seeland Park, assisted living at the Hammond Center, and in skilled nursing and long-term healthcare at St. Francis Manor. Staff are also welcome to use the amenities which will be initiated soon at a family fun night for employees and their families.
“Most importantly, I am proud of the caring and compassionate caregivers that we have attracted to serve our tenants’ needs 24 hours a day,” said Sammi. “They are at the very heart of the Hammond Center’s care philosophy.”
Bushong Construction Co. of Montezuma began building the two-story Hammond Center for Assisted Living in September 2017. After more funds were raised about halfway through the project, a change order was signed to complete the lower level which added several more months to the original contract. “We were blessed with very generous donors and a significantly lower bid making it possible to finish the lower level now rather than having to wait several years,” said Executive Administrator Dion Schrack. “I’d like to give special recognition to Administrator/RN Tiffany Criswell for her leadership in bringing this much needed service to Grinnell and the greater Poweshiek County community. This addition along with Sammi’s leadership will be a game-changer for our life-plan community.”
The Hammond Center is located east of St. Francis Manor on Orchard Drive and is also accessible through St. Francis Manor’s Administration Wing and the Hawn Center/10-Plex. Sammi concludes, “Come and visit us—we would love to give you a tour!”
For more information about the Hammond Center for Assisted Living, contact Manager/RN Sammi Bryan at 641-269-5454 or visit www.stfrancismanor.com.
