10/Sep/2009
Central Family Fulfills
A Dream With
Morrison Hills
Retirement Community
By Sarah Forman
In
the growing City of
“Dad
always dreamed of opening a medical complex on this property,” said local
Physical Therapist Balzli.
Since 2001
the property on Hooper between Sullivan and Joor has been the location of
Central Physical Therapy.
Parents
Dr. John and Sugar Morrison, along with John’s brother Charles and daughter
Helen, bought the acreage on Hooper over 30 years ago.
But
the Morrisons both passed away suddenly in 1989 before they had a chance to
follow through on their plans. After the Morrisons died, Charles and his wife
Lois donated their portion of the property to their nieces.
In
2006, the sisters and a carefully selected team began discussing the type of
development Central needed.
“A
feasibility study was completed and it came back positive that there was a need
for assisted living in Central,” said Goldie LeBlanc, assistant executive
director for the development. A master plan soon followed.
Involving Central
The
team is comprised of people who devote their lives to caring for others.
Helen Morrison Balzli is an experienced
physical therapist who will work regularly with the seniors. Tom Coplin, CEO of
development for Morrison Hills, is also a physical therapist and the fulltime
administrator for Central Physical Therapy.
Goldie Love LeBlanc has been a nurse for many years. “You have to have
heart to pursue something like this,” said LeBlanc.
Lynne
Morrison Landry and the oldest sister Beth Morrison
(married?)
both have come aboard as administrative
assistants.
They help to balance the
team’s hectic schedule each day.
Most
importantly, all team members live in Central and they look forward to helping
local seniors in the new facility.
Unique Amenities
Morrison
Hills will host 80 residents in studio, one bedroom or two bedroom apartments.
The
team behind this project is constantly brainstorming ways to care for residents
while allowing them to maintain their independence.
To achieve this goal, residents will have
around-the-clock assistance; physician and nurse practitioners will be on-site
daily and available to visit with patients; and basic needs such as meals and
transportation will be provided.
A
security system will be set up both inside and outside of the buildings so
residents can be carefully monitored.
This will provide comfort to residents’ families.
The
hallways throughout the facility will be named after well-known streets in the
city of
Activity Trail
Seniors
will be encouraged to take advantage of the activity trail surrounding the
grounds.
It is designed for activities
such as wheel chair-accessible raised gardens, a bocce ball court, putting
greens and a woodworking station run by volunteers.
There
are also plans for fruit to be grown on the property.
The residents will be given a chance to
harvest the fruit and make jams and preserves. “Many of these people will have
been doing this their whole lives,” said LeBlanc.
The
staff at Morrison Hills will encourage the seniors to participate in social
activities as well. The retirement community will have an in-house movie
theater and a Sunday matinee for residents of Morrison Hills.
“It will also be open to other elderly people
in Central who don’t get out much socially,” said LeBlanc.
Helen
and her staff at Central Physical Therapy also have plans to build a new
physical therapy center on one end of the property.
Residents will have access to this medical
fitness center, including a therapy pool for weightless exercise.
It is important to the caregivers for the
residents to be as physically fit as they can be.
The
retirement community will also include an Alzheimer’s Care Unit.
Seniors in this program will receive extra
attention and the staff will spend more time reminiscing with residents, as
well as challenging them mentally.
Residents will do small tasks to keep their minds sharp.
A
chapel where religious services of all faiths can be held is included in the
plans.
“We will get the pastors in the
community involved,” said LeBlanc.
Keeping Family Close
The
philosophy of Morrison Hills Retirement Community will stress the importance of
keeping families close.
There
is no doubt in the minds of the development team that this parcel of land in Central
is the best place for it.
Beth Morrison
feels people in Central agree, judging from feedback received thus far.
“Everyone has been great,” she said.
“The community has backed us 150%.”
Although
all major projects are susceptible to risks, these plans have received such
positive feedback until many uneasy thoughts have subsided.
“The good definitely outweighs the bad,” said
LeBlanc.
Morrison
Hills Retirement Community will break ground this fall and Dr. John’s
Morrison’s brother, Charles, now 89 years old, will fly in from his
The
project team is enthusiastic about fulfilling the Morrison family dream.
The retirement community is to be dedicated
to the memory of Dr. John and Sugar Morrison.
For more information
about Morrison Hills Retirement Community, or to reserve your place, please call
Beth Morrison at 261-2525.
No comments yet