An independent nonprofit organization serving Maine’s veterans and families.
An independent nonprofit organization serving Maine’s veterans and families.
Colonel, USAF, MSC (Retired)
Chief Executive Officer
Dear Friends, As young men and women, many of our Veterans left home and traveled overseas to defend freedom for the United States. Some hadn’t even graduated high school, others left families behind and ALL had their lives forever changed in service to their country. Generations of Veterans are once again leaving their homes, this time, in search of a place where they will receive exceptional care and the dignity they deserve.
They have lived independently for most of their lives but have come to a stage where they need some help. At our new Home, residents will have their own private rooms and are encouraged to keep a flexible schedule.
While the clinical needs of our residents will be addressed in state-of-the-art facilities, the model of care we’re implementing allows residents greater flexibility to be social, to enjoy time outdoors in our courtyards, and even go fishing in our on-site trout pond.
Studies show that our parents and grandparents, when they can no longer live at home, do better in homelike settings: natural lighting, comfortable living rooms, private rooms.
The design of our new Augusta Home follows the national movement of the Small House Model. It not only brings changes in the physical layout of the home, but it also modernizes the way that our staff will fulfill our mission of “caring for those who served.”
When we opened Maine’s first Veterans’ Home in 1983 it was designed with semi-private rooms to accommodate a maximum number of residents. It included long hallways that served to store equipment. The norm were large nurses stations on each unit and one main entrance. At the time, it filled an important need – a long-term care facility where Veterans could be cared for by staff who understood the unique needs of a person who served their country.
Today, the traditional long-term model of care can feel outdated to many residents and their families. It also lacks the freedom of choice our service members fought to preserve.
In the Small House Model of care, there is more flexibility and residents are at the center of all care plans and decisions. They decide what time they will wake in the morning, what meals will be served and in what activities they choose to participate.
This progressive way of caring for our Veterans includes 138 private rooms divided into household communities of about 12 individuals. Features include wireless internet access, flat screen TVs, wireless call systems, electronic medical records and much more. Each household will feature a comfortable living room, dining room, den, fireplace and large kitchen.
Floorplans are open and eliminate long hallways as every room opens up to a common space, promoting connectivity and community. All finishes will be warm and residential and look more like someone’s home rather than your traditional nursing facility.
Each household will employ a team of multi-skilled staff that will help create an environment that encourages residents to be active participants in their lifestyle choices, care and treatments. This form of care results in a higher quality of life for our residents and greater job satisfaction for our employees.
In fact, designated care teams for each Home will result in deeper interactions with residents – a way of life that both staff and those they care for benefit from.
Additionally, studies have found that residents cared for in the Small House Model have a reduced need for the use of medications, have increased appetites, experience improved physical condition and have a higher satisfaction level and overall well-being.
This project is MVH’s largest capital undertaking in our more than 35-year history and we hope you agree that our Veterans, and the exceptional care we will provide them in this state-of-the-art Home, are worth it
138 private rooms with personal bathrooms and modern amenities
12 households appointed with comfortable common areas
179,000-square-foot property on wooded 58 acres, located conveniently off I-95
A community center with bistro, bank, children’s center, theater, Veterans’ Club, barber shop, therapeutic gym, aquatic therapy pool, and more
The Home for Heroes campaign provides donors an opportunity to contribute to a revolutionary project that will dramatically change the way we care for current residents and generations of Veterans to come.
Our new Home has an array of donor recognition and naming opportunities available to those who make gifts of $5,000 or more.