Facility Tour – The New Grand Rapids Home for Veterans

Tuesday, May 24^th, 2022

Topic: Facility Tour –  The New Grand Rapids Home for Veterans

Presenters: Dir. Frederick Schaible, Deputy Director of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, and Dir.Tiffany Carr, Community Relations

Location: 2950 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI

Time: 8:30 to 10:00 AM

Cost: Free, registration required.

Construction on the new Home began in April 2019. Funding for the project came from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs State Home Construction Grant Program, which contributed $40.9 million, and the state of Michigan, which covered the remaining $22 million for a total project cost of $62.9 million. The state-of-the-art facility, which will serve 128 veterans and dependents in need of skilled nursing care, occupies 153,000 square feet and consists of four unique neighborhood buildings and a community center.

The new building is designed to provide care in a more “home-like” environment rather than the older more institutional setting that used to exist. The neighborhood buildings contain private resident rooms with ensuite baths and feature shared living and dining spaces. The adjacent 33,000 square foot community center is the centerpiece of the Home and features therapeutic facilities for behavioral, occupational, physical and group therapy, an exam room, chapel, barbershop and salon, café bistro and gift shop. Residents will also have access to outdoor courtyards which will allow them to observe the natural surroundings the campus has to offer.

As safety professionals, our focus will be on observing any general liability concerns, staff working exposures and how the ADAAG rules were applied, especially for a senior population. And, also to observed any best practices on display!

Tiffany Carr earned her BASc in Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy from Central Michigan University. She has 35 years of experience working with patients in rehab, nursing centers, funding efforts.