WELLNESS
Seniors
Columbine Commons, which will open in December, is an attractive and welcome addition to the senior services that will be offered in Windsor.
COLUMBINE COMMONS
FILLS NEED IN WINDSOR BY TRACEE SIOUX
N
orthern Colorado seniors will soon be enjoying assisted living, rehabilitation and nursing home services in a home-like environment with concierge-like service. Modern amenities at Columbine Commons, an assisted living and nursing home, include crown molding, abundant closet space and chef-prepared choice menus with local produce. Columbine Health Systems is building a modern and well-appointed assisted living and nursing home in Windsor, due to open December 9, 2013. Columbine Commons, a 62,400square foot state-of-the-art facility, will feature a 30-bed nursing home with an emphasis on rehabilitation services, and a 60-bed assisted living apartment complex. With an ever-expanding and competitive
34
healthcare market, Columbine chose Windsor because it is an underserved area for the senior population. Columbine Health Systems sees 1,100 patients every day and employs over 1,200 people, which provided the necessary market research to illustrate a need. Columbine’s extensive network includes independent living, rehabilitation and therapy services, transportation services, a geriatric education center, the Lifestyle Centre health club, home health services, a pharmacy and infusion therapy services. Columbine began with a Fort Collins nursing facility in 1971 and has expanded since then to 22 businesses. Founded by owner Bob Wilson, CHS has been in the Northern Colorado area for over 40 years. In addition to the new nursing/assisted living facility Columbine will be expanding its existing businesses – Columbine Medical Equipment, Columbine Poudre Home Care, Bloom at Home, Poudre Infusion Therapy
and Pathways Hospice to the adjacent Windsor Medical Center to further serve the Windsor area. “We get the pulse of the community because we’re right in the middle of the need for senior services,” says Yvonne Myers, health systems director, Columbine Health Systems. While many healthcare providers are ramping up services in preparation for what is being called the Silver Tsunami, Myers says this facility is being built to serve today’s senior population and they’ll have to keep building to accommodate Northern Colorado’s share of the 10,000 baby boomers who are turning 65 every day. “We’re trying to meet today’s need,” reports Myers. “Every day in the U.S. 10,000 people turn 65, but our average age at Columbine is 87. We also see many 65 to 80-year-old knee replacement patients who need rehab and then they go on with their active lives. Twenty years from now the Silver Tsunami wave is coming to
Lydia’s STYLE Magazine