Evergreen to debut remodel at open house

Whitman Health and Rehabilitation Center will conduct an open house tomorrow to show off its brand new face. Ken Alexander, director of the center, said the remodel is part of efforts to make residents at the rehab center on Colfax’s Hospital Hill feel more at home.

“One resident told me it doesn’t feel like a nursing home anymore, it feels more like a retirement villa,” Alexander told the Gazette during a tour Friday.

New paint adorns the outside of the building, while new artwork, flooring, carpets and furniture have spruced up the rooms.

“We’ve really worked hard to build a facility that can be a home away from home,” said Alexander. “And I think we’ve done that. With the remodel we’ve made this a place I would feel very comfortable bringing my loved ones to.”

The remodel includes new oversized chairs and adjustable beds in individual rooms, a renovation of the dining hall and a private dining room families can reserve for special occasions.

Alexander said the remodel should make residents coming from the recently renovated Whitman Hospital and Medical Center more comfortable.

“I guess we’re kind of keeping up with the Joneses,” he said.

Alexander credited parent company Evergreen Health Care of Vancouver for dedicating profits to upgrading the center.

“They’ve really committed to put more money back into the facility,” said Alexander. “And it’s really made a difference.”

He added that Evergreen, in addition to the remodeling, has paid to have staff members upgrade their nursing credentials.

Evergreen took over management of Whitman Health and Rehab in 1998.