OXFORD – There was no mistaking the buzz of excitement in the air on Wednesday as the residents of the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford made the long-awaited move from the old 70s-era building into the new 220,000 square foot state-of-the art facility they will now call home.
Engineering the move was a massive undertaking, with all 242 residents and their belongings being transferred in the course of one day.
According to Karen Cally, health program administrator from the New York State Department of Health, the relocation was the largest ever undertaken by the agency, which has overseen operation of the state’s veterans’ homes since 1971.
Every effort was made “to make sure the move was comfortable for the residents,” said Cally. That included constructing a tented walk-way between the two buildings, complete with heating, lighting and even soothing music. And during the weeks preceding the move, meetings and tours were held for both residents and their families to make sure the transition was as stress-free as possible, she explained.
The highly coordinated effort was an all-day process, with residents being first moved to a common area in the old facility, where they enjoyed activities and meals while their belongings were transferred to the new building. Then, each resident was brought over by wheelchair to the multi-purpose room, where they were further entertained as one by one they were taken to their new rooms.
“We’re treating each resident individually,” said Cally, explaining that entire undertaking was done with a focus on the privacy and dignity of each resident.
The process was a huge undertaking for the Vets’ Home staff and administrators, but they had extra help thanks to a large crew of volunteers and family members. Among those who volunteered their time were members of the Vets’ Home’s volunteer guild, members of various veterans organizations and more than 60 students from Broome Community College’s Department of Psychology and Human Services.
By noon on “Move Day,” as Cally called it, three of the facility’s six cottages had already been moved to the new building and begun settling into their rooms. The remaining three units would all be moved in by 5:30 p.m., she said.
“We’re right on schedule; right on time,” she reported.
Veterans’ Home Administrator Sally Venugopalan and her staff have been waiting for more than a year to get into the facility. They had anticipated being in the new building last fall, but the improper installation of the radiant flooring throughout the facility delayed the $65 million project’s completion by more than 12 months.
Despite the lengthy delays, there is still plenty of enthusiasm for the new facility.
“I’m thrilled with the results,” said Cally.
While the new facility’s capacity will remain the same, at 242 beds, it is approximately 50 percent larger than the old building.
“Most of the enhancements are in the residents’ areas,” the state official explained. Residents, staff and administrators had a great deal of input in the finished product.
Among the improvements are the extra wide hallways and door frames throughout the building, which will allow for easier movement of residents, she said.
Each of the six cottages also has its own “country style kitchen,” she added, as well as a common activity area with a large flat screen television to allow residents to congregate and socialize in a comfortable setting.
In the new facility, residents have spacious private rooms, each with its own handicap accessible half-bath, built in desk and wardrobe, bay window and a wall-mounted flat panel television.
You won’t find stark, white lighting in the facility, but rather softer, more natural lighting and large windows throughout.
The intent with not only the lighting but also the wall colors and furniture choices was to create a comfortable home environment for residents, Cally explained. “You truly feel the warmth.”