Stunning makeover at Fair Acres center

In February, Fair Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center owner Dr. Roger Herrin of Harrisburg and RDK Management executive director Scott Stout launched a million dollar renovation of a 1960s vintage nursing home that came with a promise to families that no expense was being spared to make patient care their No. priority.

During a tour of the very upscale, yet very comfortable Fair Acres facility Monday it was clearly a case of promises kept. No, it goes beyond that. It is unbelievable, an exponential leap from the 1960s--all bold, beautiful and very caring. Everyone is excited at the care facility that will certainly climb from its 40 current residents to its capacity for 74.

At the outset, Jim Woodward of RDK Management, Inc. said, "We want great care. We want great food and we want a great facility." RDK is a group that could get it done. Investors own homes in Carrier Mills, Harrisburg, Benton, Pinckneyville and now Du Quoin. Dr, Herrin has been involved in senior care for 40 years. "Care of patients is our No. 1 priority," said Stout.

Here's a sampling of what we saw:

n The meals are now a dining "experience." Two dining rooms with raised ceilings and accent lighting shower the dining area with a new atmosphere. Residents sit near a new two-sided fireplace with 55-inch televisions, china plates and seating you would find in a fine hotel dining room. Meal menus will evolve into part of that experience. Residents feel like they are at a sit-down dinner at home.

n Residents are pampered with a new in-house hair salon. You will go from place to place on new laminated hardwood floors.

n A brand new rehabilitation center was built that will provide residents with every exercise and rehabilitation possibility. That facility will also be offered as an outpatient service, as well.

n The main entrance was redone and families are greeted by an interior design plan that includes a waterfall wall, new lighting and new wall coverings.

n New nurses stations were built with a new call center, new alarm system and new security cameras throughout.

n Patient rooms were completely redone with four new color schemes, new bedspreads, matched draperies, new artwork, new baths and two new common baths off the main hallways. One will feature a whirlpool. The accordion and curtained closet doors have been replaced with sliding doors. All doors have been stripped and repainted. There is new artwork throughout.

n Staffing is being increased and job descriptions for some employees will be modified or enhanced to better meet the needs of patients.

n Offices were renovated and, in some instances, relocated to improve functionality.

n The facility is reaching out to the community and to the Certified Nursing Assistant program at the Du Quoin High School to get people fully connected with the staff and the facility. Involvement isn't a goal. It's a mandate of this very forward-thinking plan.

At the end of the day the goal is be a facility that staff members want to work at. Families can walk in day or night and be proud of the care family members are getting.