In addition to fresh coats of paint, the Landing's lobby carpeting was pulled up and flooring put down to make it easier for those using walkers and wheelchairs. Bathtubs were switched out for showers with benches to make them easier to use.
The stovetops were removed from some of the kitchenettes as safety measures.
LEE, Mass. — The Landing at Laurel Lake has made renovations to its assisted living building to better help residents continue living with some independence.
Some of the changes include carpet removal, shifting tubs to walk-ins, and taking out some stovetops.
The Landing hosted an open house last Thursday for the community to come in and see the renovations.
"It's really bringing people in to see the renovations so they know that we have something really cool in our community," said Executive Director Matthew Pinto, a dementia specialist who was hired about six months ago.
"The importance of the new renovations is to modernize some things to make it simpler for them. Like the rooms, we are trying to do away with the transitions in the rooms for people that have wheelchairs."
Residents sometimes had trouble with the carpeting if using a walker or wheelchair, it's easier for some to walk into their shower, and the stovetops would sometimes be left on.
Pinto said the residents had a hand in the renovations, like helping choose paint colors and what they would like the facility change, which will help future residents with their stays.
"All the renovations had one thing in mind, how the residents can feel part of what's going on so really they were part of the decision making," he said.
The Landing at 600 Laurel St. has 53 units, 13 of which are special care. It houses a memory care unit that assists individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses. It works in conjunction with adjancent Lee Healthcare, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.
Both for-profit facilities are owned by Next Step Healthcare, which operates more than a dozen assisted, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in the eastern part of the state.
This isn't the last of the renovations, said Pinto, the facility is also looking to add a spa area and salon/barbershop for residents to enjoy.
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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish
BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.
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