Cornerstone Hospice and The Villagers for Hospice are gearing up for an additional hospice house and a new healing arts center located at 601 Bella Casa Drive, immediately west of Morse Boulevard off County Road 466 in The Villages.
According to Arlene Bentz, founder and president of The Villagers for Hospice, “Growth in The Villages has outpaced the current facilities.”
Chuck Lee, president and CEO of Cornerstone Hospice said, “There is an immediate need to expand the facilities. With the new buildings, Cornerstone programs and services will also expand to continue to provide excellent comprehensive care for residents who are facing life-limiting illnesses and their families.” Lee added, “Last year, Cornerstone Hospice provided in-home services in and around The Villages to more than 1,350 patients and their families and inpatient care to 503 patients and their families at The Villages Hospice House.”
The building plans include two separate buildings connected by covered walkways. A second state-of-the-art hospice house will complement the existing one which opened in 2003 and will overlook the tranquil waters of Lake Sumter Landing. A healing arts center will provide areas for music and massage therapy, aromatherapy and include spa-like amenities. The healing arts center will feature a grand room for families and visitors to rest and relax while near their loved ones. Additionally there will be a café and dining area with hi-tech appliances, a community conference area and administrative offices for Cornerstone staff who care for patients in their homes.
Since the project is estimated to cost $7 million, a capital campaign is underway to raise funds to build these facilities on the land donated to Cornerstone Hospice by the Morse family. Desiree Coleman-Cohrn, Regional Director of Cornerstone Hospice Foundation stated, “Cornerstone and The Villagers for Hospice are planning several events for this campaign. This week we will place a big red thermometer on The Villages Hospice House campus to measure the amount raised for these buildings and to allow the community to watch the progress.”
One of the first events to help raise funds for this project will be The Villages Hospice Capital Campaign Kickoff, themed “Helping Hands – Healing Hearts”, on Saturday, April 7 at 6 p.m. at the Savannah Center. For further information and/or to obtain tickets, please contact Desiree Coleman-Cohrn at 352-396-8956. Tickets will also be available through The Villages Box Office.
