Mount Vernon's The Ohio Eastern Star Home is set for an expansion of its retirement community in Fall of 2024 and Fall of 2025 with the opening of apartment-style and condo living spaces.

Nancy Jo Todd, the Director of Marketing and Admissions provided insights into the continuous care retirement community's (CCRC) ongoing expansion and commitment to catering to the diverse needs of seniors.

"We are the premier senior living community in the county and we are here to serve the needs of families, whatever that may be, the best way we can serve them,”  Todd told the Mount Vernon News.

The Ohio Eastern Star Home is set for the opening of apartment-style and condo living spaces offering a range of services including rehabilitation, independent living, assisted living and nursing homes.

Currently, Eastern Star Home boasts 21 spaces in assisted living, 62 in nursing neighborhoods, 12 apartments in independent living and 24 beds in their rehabilitation and physical therapy center.

However, the community is undergoing significant expansion with the construction of a new independent living community for 96 residences.

Todd detailed the new additions, mentioning the upcoming opening of 40 apartments with various configurations.

“It is built from the backside of our current campus. So that's what makes us a continuous care community everywhere, from independent living all the way through the nursing home facility so we can take care of someone at every stage of their aging,” Todd said.  

The apartments will be connected to a dining building offering restaurant-style dining and a lunch 'grab and go bistro'.

Additional amenities include a fitness room, fitness education space, a pub for social gatherings, and a library.

Todd also revealed plans for the grand opening of 56 condos in the fall of 2025, providing further accommodation options for residents. The condos will feature one or two bedrooms and various bath configurations, including some with garages.

Describing the community spaces, Todd mentioned a pond stocked with fish, fishing piers, and gathering spaces around the pond, emphasizing the thoughtful planning of the community for residents to enjoy various recreational activities.

Importantly, Todd emphasized that The Ohio Eastern Star Home is currently accepting deposits for these new developments.

While it operates on a rental basis, with a deposit requirement, she assured potential residents that there is no obligation to inquire, request literature, or visit.

The community is actively encouraging interested individuals to reach out, and Todd mentioned the availability of appointments for those looking to learn more.

“Just asking questions and, and looking at our literature and our campus layout and all of our amenities. There is absolutely no obligation, and there's no reason to fear coming in and checking it out,” Todd said.

As part of their outreach efforts, Todd mentioned future events such as lunches or coffee times in the afternoon where invitations will be sent out to engage with the community.

Todd also noted how the process works for new residents, highlighting the personalized approach they take when meeting with families or individuals interested in their facility.

Assessing the specific assistive needs of each individual, she ensures a seamless transition to the appropriate part of the facility, where a social worker takes over to provide detailed information and facilitate the entry process.

“I would meet with families of loved ones or folks who are interested in coming here, and we would find out what the assistive needs are for that particular individual,” she said. “And then I would determine which part of our facility would suit them the best, and hand them off to a social worker who would go over all of the details with them and be able to get them in the front door.”

The Ohio Eastern Star Home appears poised to continue its legacy of providing comprehensive and compassionate care to seniors in the community.