Proposals for the expansion and improvement of the assisted living and skilled nursing areas in the Estaugh Building, Haddon and Woolman had been put forth in 2004, with Board approval, and in 2007, but they remained simply plans. There was particular concern from the Board and others about the conditions in Estaugh, where people with memory problems were cared for together with patients with serious physical problems, such as stroke. Immediately, in September of his first year of 2011, CEO Jeremy Vickers and a committee of 18 members of staff and residents who had had a family member in Estaugh began to look at the needs for Estaugh.
Plans were propelled forward when in September of 2012, Jeremy called residents to the Theater to learn about a surprise bequest. After building suspense, he said that Rolfa Rogers and her family had made a gift to Medford Leas for the redevelopment of the Estaugh long-term care unit, then in planning stages. The gift was in appreciation for care given for three years to George Rogers, Rolfa’s husband, before he died in 2011. The Rogers had been residents since 1999. When Jeremy revealed the amount of the gift to the audience in the Theater — $5 million — they exploded with surprise and pleasure. Soon after the announcement, Rolfa, herself in ill health, died on September 22.
Plans were propelled forward when in September of 2012, Jeremy called residents to the Theater to learn about a surprise bequest. After building suspense, he said that Rolfa Rogers and her family had made a gift to Medford Leas for the redevelopment of the Estaugh long-term care unit, then in planning stages.
The gift was in appreciation for care given for three years to George Rogers, Rolfa’s husband, before he died in 2011. The Rogers had been residents since 1999. When Jeremy revealed the amount of the gift to the audience in the Theater — $5 million — they exploded with surprise and pleasure. Soon after the announcement, Rolfa, herself in ill health, died on September 22.
In late September 2012, Jeremy Vickers announced proposed plans for the redevelopment of Estaugh, at an estimated cost of $12 million. Eighteen months of construction began in 2013 and ended in 2015. There were five main objectives: create more private rooms, provide more natural light, give greater access to the outdoors, create more activity and social spaces, build more storage space, and separate the physically impaired from the cognitively impaired of Estaugh into two different units.
The new plan called for three units: expanded Assisted Living; the Memory Support unit in an extended Estaugh; and a new Sensory Support unit in an extended Haddon. The first floor of Haddon continued to be Assisted Living, but with Sensory Support in the extension of the first floor. The Assisted Living population at the time was 76 residents. Rooms added totaled 28.
An Open House introduced the new additions to non-assisted living residents on July 23, 2015, who exclaimed over the beauty and spaciousness of the rooms and common areas. Estaugh residents moved into their new quarters in late July and start of August. The quality of one’s personal space was greatly improved. And in the open areas, there was a focus on separate spaces — social, dining, family visiting and activities.
Once First Floor Estaugh and Haddon were entirely complete, work turned to Ground Floor Haddon, where additional space was created under Haddon Court for an enlarged Wellness Center, an expanded Pharmacy, and a larger, reconfigured physical therapy area.
