It was moving day Saturday for about 250 people who have lived – some for decades – in the Erie County Home in Alden.
It was also a moving day for residents anxious to begin a new chapter in their lives at Erie County Medical Center’s spanking-new, $103 million Terrace View Long-Term Care Facility.
“I’m very excited about it. I had a chance to tour the new building, and it was state-of-the-art – beautiful – and I can’t wait to get there,” said Robert Chastain Jr., who grew up in Lockport.
“I’m glad everybody is going with us,” Chastain said of the staff.
The five floors designed by Cannon Design – with tall ceilings, earth-toned materials, attractive lighting, colorful artwork and Buffalo-themed living units – reflect dramatic advances in institutional care since the serviceable but less resident-friendly Erie County Home was completed in 1925.
“It’s beautiful. We knew it was going to be nice, but we didn’t expect anything like this,” said Barbara Kaminiski, as she settled into her new room, three stuffed animals already perched in front of a low window. “It’s like a hotel. It’s just so gorgeous; you can’t find nothing wrong with it. I’m looking forward to unpacking, and making it my home.”
As Kaminski settled in, other residents waited patiently in idling transport vehicles outside the metal, glass and brick entrance.
Richard Cleland, ECMC’s chief operating officer, was among dozens of staff and volunteers to welcome people and help with a smooth transition. Another 120 residents from ECMC’s skilled nursing facility are due to move in today (Sunday) and Monday.
They will be moving into a modern facility built for 390 beds, a far cry from the 722 spots three years ago in the sprawling, 600,000-square-foot Alden complex that stretched 1/4-mile long.
Cleland said the move will be more convenient for staff and residents, most of whom are referred by ECMC. Eighty percent of the residents’ families live in Buffalo, he said, while the overwhelming majority of workers also come from the city.
Patients in need of medical care will now be able to be wheeled directly into the hospital through a hallway, rather than be transported the 16 miles it took to drive from Alden, resulting in a savings of nearly $1 million, Cleland said.
Other improvements that buck the institutional feel of old include open sitting areas, low desks and better meal stations, as well as gardens and greenery to bring in views of the outdoors.
The new facility will allow the county to do a better job in continuing its mission to help those often less fortunate, said Gary Norsen, the administrator.
“We serve the greater good for the people of Erie County – the indigent residents, geriatric population, the homeless. I know that sounds kind of fluffy, but we do,” Norsen said.
Paul Anthon, a retired Buffalo firefighter who heads up the Residents Council, was thrilled by the change.
“I think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread,” he said.
Anthon said he owed a debt of gratitude to the Erie County Home.
“I was doing pretty badly when I got here, physically, emotionally, but within a very short period I got acclimated," he said. “I’m just glad to see that somebody started doing things right as far as the investment being made into our future.”
The resident who lived in the Alden facility longest moved in in 1969, when she was in her 40s and she also met her late husband there, said Janice Celani, a social work assistant. A person referred there on Thursday was the last arrival.
“I’m retiring unfortunately, but I got to do my 30 years and see the new building, so that’s exciting,” Celani said.
email: msommer@buffnews.com
It was also a moving day for residents anxious to begin a new chapter in their lives at Erie County Medical Center’s spanking-new, $103 million Terrace View Long-Term Care Facility.
“I’m very excited about it. I had a chance to tour the new building, and it was state-of-the-art – beautiful – and I can’t wait to get there,” said Robert Chastain Jr., who grew up in Lockport.
“I’m glad everybody is going with us,” Chastain said of the staff.
The five floors designed by Cannon Design – with tall ceilings, earth-toned materials, attractive lighting, colorful artwork and Buffalo-themed living units – reflect dramatic advances in institutional care since the serviceable but less resident-friendly Erie County Home was completed in 1925.
“It’s beautiful. We knew it was going to be nice, but we didn’t expect anything like this,” said Barbara Kaminiski, as she settled into her new room, three stuffed animals already perched in front of a low window. “It’s like a hotel. It’s just so gorgeous; you can’t find nothing wrong with it. I’m looking forward to unpacking, and making it my home.”
As Kaminski settled in, other residents waited patiently in idling transport vehicles outside the metal, glass and brick entrance.
Richard Cleland, ECMC’s chief operating officer, was among dozens of staff and volunteers to welcome people and help with a smooth transition. Another 120 residents from ECMC’s skilled nursing facility are due to move in today (Sunday) and Monday.
They will be moving into a modern facility built for 390 beds, a far cry from the 722 spots three years ago in the sprawling, 600,000-square-foot Alden complex that stretched 1/4-mile long.
Cleland said the move will be more convenient for staff and residents, most of whom are referred by ECMC. Eighty percent of the residents’ families live in Buffalo, he said, while the overwhelming majority of workers also come from the city.
Patients in need of medical care will now be able to be wheeled directly into the hospital through a hallway, rather than be transported the 16 miles it took to drive from Alden, resulting in a savings of nearly $1 million, Cleland said.
Other improvements that buck the institutional feel of old include open sitting areas, low desks and better meal stations, as well as gardens and greenery to bring in views of the outdoors.
The new facility will allow the county to do a better job in continuing its mission to help those often less fortunate, said Gary Norsen, the administrator.
“We serve the greater good for the people of Erie County – the indigent residents, geriatric population, the homeless. I know that sounds kind of fluffy, but we do,” Norsen said.
Paul Anthon, a retired Buffalo firefighter who heads up the Residents Council, was thrilled by the change.
“I think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread,” he said.
Anthon said he owed a debt of gratitude to the Erie County Home.
“I was doing pretty badly when I got here, physically, emotionally, but within a very short period I got acclimated," he said. “I’m just glad to see that somebody started doing things right as far as the investment being made into our future.”
The resident who lived in the Alden facility longest moved in in 1969, when she was in her 40s and she also met her late husband there, said Janice Celani, a social work assistant. A person referred there on Thursday was the last arrival.
“I’m retiring unfortunately, but I got to do my 30 years and see the new building, so that’s exciting,” Celani said.
email: msommer@buffnews.com