The nursing home of the not-too-distant future The nursing home of the not-too-distant future

By Deke Cateau

By Deke Cateau

The institutional, hospital-like design of nursing homes has long been a problem, but the need for change has become more urgent in recent years because of COVID-19. The spread of viruses and other illnesses is much harder to manage in nursing homes because of shared room accommodations and communal spaces that are designed for large groups. The pandemic exacerbated this harsh and tragic reality as we witnessed severe illness and death among our community’s most vulnerable population.

The institutional, hospital-like design of nursing homes has long been a problem, but the need for change has become more urgent in recent years because of COVID-19. The spread of viruses and other illnesses is much harder to manage in nursing homes because of shared room accommodations and communal spaces that are designed for large groups. The pandemic exacerbated this harsh and tragic reality as we witnessed severe illness and death among our community’s most vulnerable population.

As the aging population increases rapidly, and as the prevalence of people living with dementia rises, more families are turning to community institutions like A.G. Rhodes to care for their aging parents at the very moment when those institutions have become overwhelmed and outdated. Fortunately, this is changing.

As the aging population increases rapidly, and as the prevalence of people living with dementia rises, more families are turning to community institutions like A.G. Rhodes to care for their aging parents at the very moment when those institutions have become overwhelmed and outdated. Fortunately, this is changing.

At A.G. Rhodes, we know that the nursing home of the past no longer meets the needs or expectations of our aging population. That’s why we launched our Legacy of Care campaign in 2021—a Marietta and renovate our existing building.

At A.G. Rhodes, we know that the nursing home of the past no longer meets the needs or expectations of our aging population. That’s why we launched our Legacy of Care campaign in 2021—a landmark capital effort to build a new home on our Cobb campus in Marietta and renovate our existing building.

We’re creating an environment that will improve the quality of care and safety of our elders, particularly for those living with dementia. Construction is well underway for this new model, which can be replicated nationwide and will include private room accommodations to better protect our most vulnerable seniors while honoring their dignity as they age. This is something that all seniors—regardless of socioeconomic status—should have access to.

We’re creating an environment that will improve the quality of care and safety of our elders, particularly for those living with dementia. Construction is well underway for this new model, which can be replicated nationwide and will include private room accommodations to better protect our most vulnerable seniors while honoring their dignity as they age. This is something that all seniors—regardless of socioeconomic status—should have access to.

Though the majority of our residents receive Medicaid, which does not cover private accommodations, our partners in the philanthropic community share our commitment to creating the safest possible environment for all our residents to thrive. Together, we are meeting the community need for compassionate skilled nursing care in the post-COVID era.

Though the majority of our residents receive Medicaid, which does not cover private accommodations, our partners in the philanthropic community share our commitment to creating the safest possible environment for all our residents to thrive. Together, we are meeting the community need for compassionate skilled nursing care in the post-COVID era.

As one of Atlanta’s oldest nonprofit organizations—and as one of the only mission-driven nonprofit nursing home providers— A.G. Rhodes is leading the way in redefining what elder care looks like. Follow our progress at agrhodes.org/legacyofcare

Follow our progress at agrhodes.org/legacyofcare

We are building a new home on our Cobb campus that will improve the quality of care and safety of elders, particularly for those living with dementia. This new home will include six households with each featuring:

Twelve private bedrooms

Sunroom to connect with the outdoors

Centralized community kitchen

Living room with an inviting hearth

Dining room for family-style meals

Outdoor gardens www.agrhodes.org/legacyofcare

Help us create A LEGACY OF CARE as we pioneer what it means to live well during all stages of life – regardless of age, diagnosis, or socioeconomic status.