History
In February 1970, Geer opened the 120-bed Geer Memorial Health Center, a state-of-the-art nursing facility. In a short period of time the new Geer Memorial Health Center quickly established itself with physicians and professional caregivers as a premiere provider of skilled nursing care. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) twice awarded Geer its highest level of accreditation, "With Commendation."
Geer's original mission contemplated only the operation of a skilled nursing facility; but as the needs of the area continued to unfold, the scope of Geer's care continued to expand.
In the thirty-five years since its founding, Geer has evolved into a type of community institution that is not easy to describe. It has grown from skilled care nursing into a bold and innovative provider of healthcare, recreational, transportation, educational and social services.
In 1978, and in response to the growing number of elderly individuals in need of care during the day when their caregivers were at work, and as an alternative to more expensive home care, Geer opened an Adult Day Center. The Geer Adult Day Center is the second oldest continuously operating adult day center in Connecticut and one of the oldest in the country. Geer remains committed to giving the elderly of our area an alternative to being left alone at home all day.
In 1980, in an attempt to address the isolation of the elderly and disabled in a rural area without public transportation, Geer instituted what has now become the largest specialized transportation service in the tri-state area. Geer's fleet of vehicles serves families in an area of more than 500 square miles every day, not only transporting the elderly and disabled to Geer's Adult Day Center, but also to medical appointments, shopping, recreational and cultural events.
In 1990, following the diagnosis of what had been previously understood as "senility"
as a specific disease, and the development of specific treatment strategies for it, Geer became one of the first healthcare facilities in Connecticut to establish a special unit for
the care and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In 2004, Geer opened Gardenside Lodge, Life Center for the Memory Impaired, a 30-unit residential living center for persons with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
In 1994, Geer instituted a "respite care" program for the many residents of the tri-state area who are the sole caregivers for a parent or relative who lives with them in their home. If the caregiver needed to be away for an overnight or longer, it was often difficult and sometimes impossible to find a trusted person to relieve them. Geer is delighted to take care of their loved ones during their absence.
In 1997, in response to studies showing the benefits of regular exercise at any age, Geer's physical therapy staff installed the area's first Hydro-Track, an underwater exercise machine that enables the elderly and impaired to exercise in a reduced-weight-bearing environment.
In January 2001, Geer completed "Beckley House," a 24-unit residence for the limited income frail-elderly. The mission and culture of Beckley House is not simply to provide shelter, but to become a home and "family" from which the elderly can continue to be, or again become, independent members of the community.
In 1995 and in order to care for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of persons with terminal illnesses and their families, Geer instituted a hospice care program. Hospice care can be provided at home, in the hospital, or at Geer Nursing.
In 2003, Geer opened a non-profit retail pharmacy giving residents of the tri-state area access to prescription drugs for 20% or more under retail prices.
In 2004, Geer opened Geer Village, a community regional center and senior living community. As built, the new Geer Village may be the most innovative community development project ever undertaken in the nation, and as time goes on and programs mature, it should only get better.
Geer Village contains:
- YMCA with Pool, Fitness Center, personal training, and special programs for all ages
- Classrooms and studio space for the arts and adult education including credit courses from the community college
- Meeting and banquet rooms for area residents, schools, businesses and volunteer, non-profit and self help groups
- A radio broadcast studio
- The local cable access TV studio where anyone can learn to make and broadcast his or her own video
- Public programs, concerts, exhibits, lectures and activities including studio arts, choral and theater groups, health seminars, historic-site trips, lectures, and reading by authors
- T-1 Internet and ATM machine
- Restaurant
- 33 independent living apartments
- 59 assisted living apartments
- Gardenside Lodge, an innovate, comfortable, and secure 30 bed residence for the memory-impaired
- A wellness center and specialty clinic with 24-hour nurses and on-site geriatric physician (and other specialists by appointment)
- A non-denominational chapel
- Resident transportation service