January 1, 2002 |

Anderzhon Carlson Architects, The LifeCare Studio of InVision Architecture, Royale Oaks

Royale Oaks – Omaha, Nebraska
Anderzhon Carlson Architects, The LifeCare Studio of InVision Architecture – Omaha, Nebraska

Type of Facility/Setting: Alzheimer’s Assisted Living/Adult Day Care

Facility Contact: Steven Hess, President, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.

Firm: Anderzhon+Carlson+Architects, The LifeCare Studio of InVision Architecture, (402) 341-8007

Design Team: Jeffrey W. Anderzhon, AIA, Project Principal (Anderzhon+ Carlson+Architects, The LifeCare Studio of InVision Architecture); Vishal Khanna, PE, Project Principal, Mechanical/Electrical Engineer (M.E. Group, Inc.); James Roeder, PE, Project Manager, Civil Engineer (E & A Consulting Group, Inc.)

Illustrator: Geoffrey Goodwin and the architect

Resident Capacity: 46 Assisted Living; 12 Adult Day Care

Space/Resident (sq. ft.): 813.04 (Assisted Living); 463.82 (Adult Day Care)

Total Area (sq. ft.): 42,966

Total Cost (excluding land): $4,125,000

Cost/Sq. Ft.: $95.01

Expected Completion: September 2002

Having provided assisted living care for several years in an older facility, and long-term healthcare on a nearby campus, this nonproprietary provider realized there was a growing need for assisted living and adult day care for those with Alzheimer’s in the North Omaha area, and the Nebraska conversion grant program was a logical financing vehicle. While the program provided funds for delicensing nursing beds and converting them to assisted living, an application for assisted living specifically for Alzheimer’s residents had never been received. In addition, there were no licensed long-term care beds planned for the Royale Oaks campus, so the application had to be for the delicensing of beds on the nearby campus and construction of new assisted living on the Royale Oaks campus.

Because of the challenges, close communication by all involved parties with all the Nebraska governing authorities was essential. Since the regulations had been designed for same-campus conversion to straight assisted living, compromise-both in the design and the implementation of the regulations for Alzheimer’s residents-was necessary. That compromise allowed the first cross-campus conversion, as well as the first conversion for Alzheimer’s.

The result was a neighborhood design that complied with program needs of the residents, the rolling topography and the not-for-profit budget, as well as meeting conversion-grant requirements. Each residential neighborhood provides appropriate living spaces for either seven or eight residents. Added community spaces for the entire campus bring all residents together. The adult day care provides services for both campuses and shares exterior activity space with the two lower-level neighborhoods, while each pair of upper-level neighborhoods share similar secured exterior space.

I Advance Senior Care

I Advance Senior Care is the industry-leading source for practical, in-depth, business-building, and resident care information for owners, executives, administrators, and directors of nursing at assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, post-acute facilities, and continuing care retirement communities. The I Advance Senior Care editorial team and industry experts provide market analysis, strategic direction, policy commentary, clinical best-practices, business management, and technology breakthroughs.

I Advance Senior Care is part of the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care and published by Plain-English Health Care.