map for construction

Vineland's New Construction

By Cynthia Romano, Project Sectrary,N.J. Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland

The State of New Jersey has recently submitted a final grant application to the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C. for their review and approval to construct a new 300 replacement facility. The facility would be constructed on the existing site within the confines of the existing buildings.

There will be 240 long-term care beds divided among four 60-bed wings, a 32-bed Alzheimer wing, and a 28- bed assisted living unit. The facility will house all support services to include rehabilitation therapy services.

The two-story structure would connect to the existing administration building, affording access throughout the facility eliminating the need for residents, staff, and visitors to walk outside during inclement weather. The circular design of the 60-bed wings will provide equal access to all nursing stations. A landscaped courtyard with a waterfall, surrounded by the residential bed wings, will be a focal point.

The project will cost more than $47 million. Ground breaking for construction is slated for August 2002, pending approval of VA funding. New Jersey has appropriated $12.9 million as their 35 percent share of the design and construction cost in July 2000.

The assisted living unit will be attached to the long-term care facility but will be a self-contained facility that will provide a continuum care approach for veterans in need of health care. This assistance will be available to New Jersey veterans, their spouses and widows/ widowers, and gold star parents who cannot afford this service in private assisted living facilities. Residents will have access to the resources available in the long-term care facility, such as full-service healthcare as well as the chapel, library, canteen, arts and crafts, bowling, etc., and will be able to participate in the daily activity programs provided.

Due to the high demand within the veteran community for such services, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is currently in the decision making process to fund an additional 32 assisted living beds (at a cost of $4.6 million) as a living memorial. CRDA has provided partial funding for both the N.J. Vietnam Veterans' and the Korean War Memorials.

Also on the facility site, is a VA Clinic that provides out-patient services to community veterans. Construction of the new facility requires the demolition of the existing clinic's building. Recently a location at the facility has been tentatively identified to provide the veterans community with an interim VA Clinic.