Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The new renovations will inclue the addition of more private rooms for Manor residents.
Kimball County Manor, a county owned building, recently had a bond approved by the county in order to make renovations.
"There are no property taxes involved. The Manor has sufficient funds for the renovations. It's just that since we're a county owned building there are some things we have to do in order to just follow procedure," Bev Schnell said.
The Manor was built in 1968 making it roughly 46 years old. When it was built, the normal thing was for the assisted living to have semi-private rooms. So two to a room was never called into question. However, as times change and generations change, privacy is valued more and more.
Many of the people that are beginning to be of the age where a nursing home may be necessary have shown concern over the lack of privacy in facilities that are outdated.
The Manor currently has a mere three private rooms. With the upcoming renovations, they hope to add on ten private rooms and turn some of the existing semi-private rooms into private.
Some may not see the importance of a private room. The fact of the matter is that private rooms are very important when dealing with those in an assisted care facility. Many of the residents in the facility bring in items to make their stay more comfortable, such as decorations and televisions. With two televisions in one room, it can get difficult to hear things. Another bother can be when families visit, trying to fit an entire group into half of a room can be quite the hassle. Other issues may arise when private information is being shared with a resident and their roommate may be able to hear.
Aside from privacy improvements, the manor is concerned with updating the look and décor of the facility.
"We want to replace the carpet. It's used 24/7. It doesn't get a break. We want to be able to have newer, nicer looking carpet as well as an updated look," Schnell said.
All the architecture plans are completed, and they have been approved by the state. They are waiting on the approval from the state fire marshal. The addition to the current facility will be on the east side of the manor where there is access from the street so in case of an emergency, vehicles can reach the new rooms with ease. This was determined after it was suggested that the rooms be added within the courtyard. However, after determining the need for emergency access, it was decided to add them to the east part of the current building. This also allows the facility to maintain its current courtyard, which is a favorite spot for some of the Manor's residents to sit and enjoy fresh air.
"The staff will bring the residents out here to the courtyard to do activities and just to sit and look around the area. So we don't want to lose all this or the trees here," Schnell said.
The add on will be built in what will hopefully be an unobtrusive manner. The plan is for the rooms to be built first and then the hallway so as to cause the least amount of disturbance to the current residence. There are also some current semi-private rooms that will be remodeled into private rooms.
The Manor remodeled in 2000, and they added on assisted living. After the new rooms are built then the renovations to the whole Manor will be made. The Manor also added a spa like bathroom and remodeled a sitting area, about two years ago.
Among the carpet and wall updates is the want of a tile update due to the fact that the rooms are still home to the tile from 1968.
The Manor was fortunate to have received a generous donation from the Schmidts, Erma and George, who donated money after they passed and with the investments made using that donated money the renovations can be done.
"It should be known that these renovations are not being made with the money from the residents. Those funds go toward the utilities and all the things that the residents are using. These renovations are being paid for from the money that was donated and then invested," said Schnell.
It should be known that no tax payer money will be used in the renovation of the Manor and that the bond issued for the renovation is merely a procedural step taken due to the Manor being a county owned building. The Manor will be paying for the renovations. The date that the renovations will begin are still unknown due to waiting for approval of architectural plans from the state fire marshal.