New Parker Home breaks ground

Story by Jennifer Larkin, The Cranbury Press on
MONROE — Ground was broken on June 12 for the new 96-bed Parker at Monroe skilled nursing care residence, according to Parker’s Communications Coordinator Jill Fox.

Scheduled to open in late fall 2014, The Parker at Monroe is located at 395 Schoolhouse Road and marks the next chapter in The Francis E. Parker Memorial Home’s 106-year history of providing the best tradition of excellent care in personalized, affordable, high-quality, long-term care services in Central New Jersey, according to Ms. Fox.

Donna Lazartic, Chief Resource Officer at Parker Home, acknowledged the 40 guests in attendance at the event.

Roberto Muñiz, President and CEO of Parker Home, then took the podium to share Parker’s long history and continued vision to grow and serve more individuals in need of long-term care services, Ms. Fox said.

”Like all Parker communities, its focus is customized and considerate care in home-like settings guided by the Eden Alternative, a philosophy of person-centered care that embraces aging as a natural stage of life,” said Ms. Fox.

”Consistent with Parker’s tradition of providing the highest quality affordable care, Parker at Monroe has been designed as a very unique senior living, long-term care residence,” Mr. Muñiz said in the release.

Clifford Holland, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, reflected on Parker Home’s pledge to being an accountable and gracious neighbor, as well as an ongoing and trusted resource for the Monroe community, according to the release.

”More than half of the 28-acre site has been donated by Parker Home to Monroe Township in an effort to preserve the natural beauty of the wooded and wetland habitats,” Mr. Holland said.

William Conroy, Deputy Commissioner of Health Systems for the New Jersey Department of Health, commended Parker Home for identifying the great need for expert care for the senior population in Monroe Township, according to Ms. Fox.

”I am sure that Monroe Township is grateful for Parker’s contributions and will embrace them in the community.” Conroy said in the release.

The groundbreaking team of Mr. Muñiz, Mr. Holland, Ms. Lazartic and Mr. Conroy, were joined by John Riggs, Department of Planning for Monroe Township; William Tibbit, Chairman, Parker at Monroe Task Force; James Brecker, Jr., Chairman, Irwin & Leighton, Inc.; and Steven Leone, Principal, Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., broke ground, according to Ms. Fox.
 
Mr. Tibbitt concluded the ceremony by highlighting how truly distinct Parker at Monroe is, in that it was planned and designed by the people who will live and work in the home, Ms Fox said.

”It is the hope that this new model of senior living will serve as an example of an environment that fully supports its residents, and inspire the community as the Parker at Monroe will provide residents of Monroe Township and Middlesex County the opportunity to remain in their communities, staying closely joined to families and friends as they age,” Ms. Fox said.

The site selection was based on research demonstrating a strong and growing need for high-quality and affordable care services for the aging population in this area and maintains a large waiting list with more than 500 individuals from Monroe Township and surrounding communities, Ms. Fox stated.

According to Ms. Fox, Parker at Monroe will provide skilled attention and support in innovative village-style homes, each to have a with a porch and front door entry anchored to a larger common area, giving residents and guests access to community-wide social events, casual and formal dining venues, fitness and rehabilitation services, and roof-top terrace gardens.

According to the release, Parker Home shares the township’s pledge to upholding and preserving open space, while selectively using open land to directly benefit residents.

”Consistent with Parker’s newest developments, their award-winning architects are employing green design practices,” Ms. Fox said. “Construction will be sustainable and energy efficient, employing the latest building technology to ensure ease of operation, service and maintenance.”

Ms. Fox said, Parker at Monroe will have up to 150 full and part-time employees devoted to serving this community in Parker’s long tradition of support and will provide extensive opportunities for on-site continuing education, college internships and inter-generational volunteerism, as well as, free caregiver support programs and community health fairs.

Parker will create affiliations with local hospitals and health care providers to advance the level of aging services available in the community, Ms. Fox said

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