*Photos by Joe Bayona • Slideshow below.

Venetian Care and Rehabilitation Center Hosts Housewarming at its Grand Opening

News Release 6/10/15

SOUTH AMBOY – Windsor Healthcare Communities has combined modern design and beautiful surroundings with a progressive approach to elder care in the Venetian Care & Rehabilitation Center, which celebrated its grand opening today with a housewarming party that included tours and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hyman Jacobs, CEO of Windsor Healthcare, welcomed local officials and community leaders, members of the medical community, Venetian residents and staff, family members and other guests to the new, state-of-the-art skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation center. “This is a very special day for the Windsor Healthcare family,” said Jacobs. “In the Venetian we’ve built the home we would want our own parents to have, and we are thrilled to be part of the South Amboy community.”

The staff, known as “care partners” at the Venetian, practice person-directed care, a forward-thinking approach to nursing home life based on the idea that the later stages of one’s life are just as valuable and meaningful as any of the earlier ones. Person-directed care stresses choice, autonomy and growth, tailoring daily life and activities to individual needs and preferences under the guidance of a consistent, interdisciplinary team of care partners. “At the Venetian we do things like we would do them at home. You can get a snack when you want, and you can choose your bath time and your bedtime. Because care partners remain the same for individual residents, you’re always going to be around people you know,” said Batsheva Katz, vice president at Windsor Healthcare.

In attendance were Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Assemblyman Craig Coughlin, Senator Joe Vitale and South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry along with Members of the South Amboy City Council. They offered comments on the new facility and how much they appreciate Venetian locating in town.

The new home replaces the existing Briarwood Care & Rehabilitation Center, also located in South Amboy about five miles away from the new Venetian.  Jacobs said that while Briarwood was always known for its excellent care, the 1960’s building architecture fell short of current thinking on how building design can actually enable best practices and improve quality of life for residents.

They also saw the Venetian’s rehabilitation gym, managed by highly regarded Kessler.Core, and its RehabPark™, which is both a tranquil setting for relaxation and a physical therapy course for residents transitioning from hospital to home after illness or surgery.  The Venetian is part the South Amboy waterfront neighborhood close to the YMCA and within walking distance of downtown, the train station and two parks on the waterfront promenade, all providing opportunities for residents of the home to take in entertainment and participate in the community.