Genesis HealthCare opens new 'transitional care unit' in Laconia, first of its kind in the Lakes Region

LACONIA — Genesis HealthCare yesterday celebrated the opening of an 11,300-square-foot addition to its facility on Blueberry Lane. Representatives of the health care company said the project has resulted in a new type of facility for the area.

"This is a very innovative, different, new type of addition," said Dick Blinn, president of Genesis HealthCare's northeastern area.

The addition has produced what Genesis calls a "transitional care unit" designed specifically for short-term stays by patients who don't need to be in a hospital but are not yet able to return home. Patients might be recovering from joint replacement or repair surgery, an injury or stroke or are otherwise require physical therapy services before they're able to live at home.

John Allard, administrator of the Laconia facility, said Genesis HealthCare was able to offer such services before the addition, however, that resulted in intermingling the short-term patients with the long-term patients, two populations that tend to have different ages and needs.

The transitional care unit features 14 private rooms with private bathrooms. The accommodations are styled after hotel rooms, with televisions, telephones and Internet access. The care unit also features a rehabilitation gym, café and a courtyard.

Dr. John Grobman, an orthopedic surgeon, worked with Genesis to develop the care plan and will continue to provide support to the center.

Although the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, two patients had already been admitted and more admissions were planned that day.

Prior to the opening of Genesis's transitional care unit, Allard said that the nearest similar facility was HealthFirst in Concord.

The construction project cost $3.4-million and brought the Laconia center's facility to about 47,000-square-feet and 120 total beds.

CAPTION for GENESIS CROWD in AA:

Attendants at the open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Genesis HealthCare's 'transitional care unit' enjoyed appetizers and cocktails in the unit's café. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho

CAPTION for GENESIS STAIRS in AA:

Edith Cooper, of Gilmanton, worked with physical therapy assistant Chris Hardin during an open house celebrating Genesis HealthCare's new 'transitional care unit' on Wednesday. Cooper is staying at the facility recovering from a broken hip. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)