A Legacy of Care at Russell Medical

Ground was broken for the first building in February

The project will include independent and assisted living care options

A Legacy of Care

Russell Medical breaks ground on a new senior complex

STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS & AUDRA SPEARS

Russell Medical utilizes all aspects of its programs and facilities to help patients and community members choose healthy lifestyles. In addition to the hospital, urgent care, practicing physicians and cancer center, Total Fitness offers everything residents need to maintain physical fitness, and a planned assisted living facility will allow Russell Medical to continue care for elderly residents.

After a $25 million donation by Ben and Luanne Russell, the medical center began making plans for the multi-facility expansion, which will provide comprehensive geriatric health care. An independent living community with 26 cottages and a 30,000-square-foot assisted living facility with 32 resident rooms are part of the plan. The donation will cover the costs of constructing and equipping the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care. Kimberly Carter, manager of physician relations and business development for Russell Medical, oversees the project.

“Increasing the longevity of one’s quality of life is our top priority for the new senior living facilities

The Center for Advanced Care will be built first

at Russell Medical. Not only will the assisted living facility and independent living cottages be state of the art and provide a luxurious living atmosphere, but also, the plan is to provide an amenity package like no other. Currently, the project team is designing the entire Russell Medical campus for golf cart trails that also will provide walking/running paths for residents. Based on the current plan, the paths provide a winding, aesthetic opportunity for residents to get outside and enjoy the rolling terrain this city has to offer,” Carter said.

Carter said there might be an opportunity to work with Alexander City leadership and connect the senior living facilities to the city’s recreation department. They have also designed outdoor recreation spaces at the facility that include four porches and a main terrace area off of the back of the building, with plans for barbecues and tailgate parties for residents. An open-air pavilion will be inside the gated entrance to the independent living cottages. Currently keeping the community healthy on a dayto-day basis, Total Fitness at Russell Medical provides six disciplines for the community: inpatient and outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, sports medicine, cardiac and pulmonary rehab and community fitness. Cara Tidwell is the Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for Russell Medical.

“So many benefits surface from making healthy lifestyle choices, including productivity in the work place, an increased immune system, mobility, decrease in chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes, better neuromotor skills and increased lung capacity. Exercise regulates blood pressure,

Russell Medical president and CEO Jim Peace opened the celebration at the ground breaking

Clockwise from Above: Russell Medical is affiliated with UAB Health System; Total Fitness director Cara Tidwell fits in a workout; Russell Medical is proud to celebrate its hardworking nursing staff during National Nurses Week.

cholesterol and weight while decreasing anxiety and depression and enhancing feelings of wellbeing, just to name a few,” Tidwell said.

Tidwell is proud that the community fitness program provides community and corporate health fairs, American Red Cross swim lessons and personal training (medically based, athletics based and general total body conditioning). The center offers Operation FitKids to fifth and sixth graders as a fitness and nutrition program, and the Silver Sneakers program for adults over 65 who have specific Medicare plans. Total Fitness is also an authorized American Red Cross provider and an Arthritis Foundation facility.

The Total Fitness 20,000-squarefoot facility offers both exercise and rehabilitation equipment and the only indoor public pool in Alexander City. The pool hosts exercise classes, aquatic treadmills and adjustable water current for swimming laps. Two gyms include treadmills, elliptical trainers, free weights and

cycles. Classes are available in aerobics, Pilates, ball basics, cardio, hip-hop and yoga. Lockers, showers and towel service are provided. Personal trainers and specialized programs also could be utilized. “We provide a safe, effective We provide a safe, effective and encouraging atmosphere in which to gain a better quality of life through rehabilitation and and encouraging wellness. Our fitness specialists evaluate your health history to creatmosphere in ate the perfect program for you and your goals. A fitness journey which to gain should address cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and a better quality endurance, flexibility, nutrition and of life through body composition. These facets are the foundation of a healthy exerrehabilitation and cise routine. Individuals who have active lifestyles tend to have more wellness.” energy for the things they want to do, while also being less likely to

Cara Tidwell become disabled or ill,” Tidwell said. With clear priorities, Russell Medical leads the way for Lake Martin community members to make lifelong healthy choices.