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The Rouse Home held a ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday during the annual Heritage Day event. This celebration marked the start of the "Extraordinary Makeover-Rouse Addition" project.

The goal is to create a culture of resident-centered care by creating smaller "Households" within the Rouse Home. The move to the "Household" model will be the first in Warren County. The project will be completed in three phases.

Funded by a $1.9 million grant through the County Commissioner's Association of Pennsylvania, the extensive renovation is scheduled for completion by the Fall of 2009.

The scope of the project includes the addition of kitchens and dining/living areas to each unit creating an atmosphere of "home" with family- style dining. Nursing stations will be integrated into each "household" and no longer a barrier between residents and staff. The Rouse is responding to a community need with the addition of a secured behavioral health unit to serve nursing home residents needing specialized care.

"Resident life will no longer center around the production and delivery of meals three times a day and transporting the seniors to the large congregate dining room," said Rouse Administrator Cindy Walters.

"There will be time for daily activities that have been chosen by members of each individual household and more flexibility in the routines of the seniors. The improvement in the Quality of Life and Quality of Care for our elders and our staff will be significant," she said.