June, 2012 – The Health Center at Friendship Village of South Hills (FVSH) is an 89-bed nursing facility originally constructed in 1984, and currently undergoing a major interior remodeling that began in September, 2011 and continuing until the summer of 2012. Design plans were developed by our interior design firm Saxton Strategic Space Solutions (Des Moines, IA), while the general contractor for this project is Large Contracting Services, Inc. (Large, PA). Our Health Center is part of a Life Care community at Friendship Village of South Hills.
As of the end of March, 2012, all 62 resident rooms have been completely remodeled. In addition, three resident lounges have been renovated as well as most staff work areas such as offices, nursing areas, and the conference room. Two resident dining rooms have also seen major improvements in décor. Renovations include new flooring, updated lighting with resident controls, freshly painted walls, new window blinds, an individual vanity cabinet in the bathrooms, and new white four-panel doors with satin nickel hardware. Other updates include new heating & A/C units, new resident room and lounge furniture and individual TVs for each resident. Corridors along the way have been accented with diffused ceiling lighting, oak handrails, new directional signage, carpet tiles with carpet base, and recessed sprinkler heads. Color schemes are in the earth tones, with mostly gold, green, bronze, rust and blue combinations.
The current area of concentration for renovations in the Health Center is the enclosure of a former outdoor atrium, which will become the new resident Activities Room. With approximately 625 sq. feet of space, the room will feature a Kalwall roofing system that will allow diffused natural sunlight to enter the room. Other features include an ADA-compliant open kitchenette area from where residents can participate in baking or other food related activities. Height-adjustable work tables will make activities comfortable for both wheelchair bound residents and for those in side chairs. Work is expected to be completed on this room by the end of June.
After that, the remaining areas to be renovated will include an office suite (the current Activities Room), the Therapy Gym and the entrance lobby and vestibule. If all goes as scheduled, we will hold an Open House in August to invite the public in to see our $4.5 million renovation of the Friendship Village Health Center.
