Ashlar Of Newtown Expands Its Services

By Shannon Hicks

When Tom Guttner welcomed members of Connecticut’s Masonic leadership, faculty members of Ashlar of Newtown, staff members of Danbury Hospital and Norwalk Rehabilitation Services, and “graduates” of Ashlar’s new short-term rehabilitation wing into Ashlar’s main lobby last week, he was officially opening a new chapter for the health care facility at 139 Toddy Hill Road.

On Thursday, June 10, Ashlar hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting for its new 34-bed nursing and rehabilitation center. The facility — which is part of a convalescent home for nearly 100 senior citizens and adjacent to a 44-unit assisted living facility called Lockwood Lodge — now offers care for adults following surgery or a serious illness. The short term/rehabilitation wing is on Ashlar’s third floor, with full-time residents living in two additional wings on the same floor.

“We committed to this new wing a year ago, and it’s exciting to see this project come to fruition,” said Mr Guttner, who is the president of Ashlar of Newtown. The renovation of Ashlar’s third floor A-wing from an area where some of the nursing home’s residents live into an area that will now be dedicated to short-term patients has taken the better part of a year to complete. Most residents moved into new rooms, and a few transferred to Ashlar’s sister Masonicare facility in Wallingford.

The evening’s guest speaker was State Representative Julia Wassermann (R-106), who has been involved with Ashlar since before it opened three decades ago. During her remarks Mrs Wassermann said she remembered walking the land before ground was broken for the nursing home, well before any building permits had been granted, and being told that the idea of Ashlar would never fly.

“It’s a real pleasure and privilege to be here this evening,” Mrs Wassermann told those who were gathered. “Ashlar of Newtown, since its inception, has been a stellar performer.

“Now it will continue that excellence with a new offering,” she continued. “Ashlar is now able to offer short-term care for the elderly and for adults who are independent but have temporary special needs. I think Ashlar is uniquely suited for this, and I look forward to Ashlar’s continued success.”

Admissions are accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hospital discharge planners and a patient’s physician evaluate whether a person needs rehabilitation before going home following a hospital stay. Ashlar accepts patients from all area hospitals. The average length of stay is 21 days.

The short-term rehabilitation wing has been created to manage the needs of adults who have undergone joint replacements or have fractures that are healing; cardiac conditions, stroke, diabetes, conditions requiring IV medications, respiratory conditions, complex wounds, or need post-operative care.

The program offers an interdisciplinary team approach with 24-hour nursing care; on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapists who are available seven days a week; education and support for patients and their caregivers; and specialized teaching including diabetic training and ostomy training.

Before a patient is discharged from Ashlar, the nursing staff also addresses the effects of any medications being taken home and provides information including when a physician should be seen next, how to change surgical dressings, etc. Ashlar staff members also set up visiting nurse visitations and meet with a patient’s family about in-home care.

While at Ashlar, patients are invited to join residents for any of the regular and special programs the recreational staff schedules.

All of the guests were invited upstairs for the cutting of a ribbon that had been hung at the entrance of 3-A, following brief remarks from James McWain, the chairman of Ashlar’s board of directors; Howard Orr, the chairman of Masonicare’s board of trustees; Barry M. Spero, the president and CEO of Masonicare; and Joseph Howard, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut.

In addition to the guest speakers the group included residents of Ashlar of Newtown, Lockwood Lodge, and a few patients who had already gone through the rehabilitation wing’s treatment. While June 10 was the official opening, the wing has been operational for a few months.

Following the ribbon cutting Mr Guttner invited everyone to speak with current patients and staff members and enjoy more refreshments.

“You’re welcome to see where everything goes on during the day,” Mr Guttner told attendees. “It’s a very busy place.”

The building at 139 Toddy Hill Road opened in 1972 and was originally named Buckingham Gardens Convalescent Home. In 1982, the name was changed to Ashlar of Newtown and became part of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, now the Masonicare Corporation — the largest nonprofit service provider for older adults in Connecticut. The Masonicare family, headquartered in Wallingford, offers retirement communities and an umbrella of healthcare services statewide.

In 1999 Ashlar opened Lockwood Lodge, a 44-unit assisted living community for adults 55 and over, who are independent and do not need nursing care.

In October 2000 Ashlar of Newtown was recognized by Newtown’s Economic Development Commission for its outstanding living, health, and educational services it provides to the senior citizens of the town and for its contributions to the economic community of Newtown.

Ashlar is one of the town’s largest employers with more than 250 employees.