WEST LAFAYETTE –– Westminster Village, 2741 N. Salisbury St., has completed a $10 million, 25,000-square-foot expansion of The Health Center at Westminster Village.

The addition includes 21 new private rooms; a new, fully-equipped therapy center; spa area; resident laundry room; activity room; and numerous seating areas for visitors. Up to 20 new employees are being hired.

A ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 10, was attended by Westminster Village residents, staff and civic leaders.

“This is a vision realized, a significant enhancement to an already outstanding retirement and care community,” said executive director Vicki Gregory.

“At our groundbreaking, we said we wanted to be on the cutting edge of healthcare in the community. You will believe we were serious about that when you walk in today,” she said. “We’re opening the doors to a new level of care in West Lafayette for Westminster residents and anyone else in this area who could benefit from our services.”

Judy Bane, Health Center administrator, noted the homelike ambience purposely created for the center. “Each of the private rooms is furnished in a different homey décor, with private baths and beds wider than standard twin size. A number of rooms also have a ceiling lift, to help residents move from bed to bath.”

The spa area has heated flooring, televisions and mood lighting. And the new therapy center features state-of-the-art care and rehabilitation equipment.

Among the newest equipment in the therapy center is the VitalStim therapy system for helping those with dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing. It is the first such equipment in Tippecanoe County, and only the second in the state.

Center treatment options also include ultrasound for decreasing inflammation or pain, deep tissue heating therapy for increasing tissue elasticity or decreasing inflammation and pain, laser light therapy and electrical stimulation for motor reeducation and pain management. Others are the Omnicycle motor-assisted exercise option and the NuStep cross-trainer. Onsite speech therapy in a private, soundproof room also is available.

Renovation of the previous healthcare space is now under way. When that is completed in about a year, the Health Center will have 72 beds. The facility is open to Westminster residents and others in the community needing care.

“We have raised the bar in amenities, care and aesthetics,” Bane said. “We are a model residential facility, providing resident-directed care.”

Some other operations features include a nurse-call system that uses pagers rather than audible call bells, and patients choosing when they rest, go to bed, get up and eat, and abundant dining options.

The expanded Health Center is just the beginning of new additions at Westminster Village , said board president Thomas Pearson. “We will be celebrating again soon when renovation of the former healthcare space and remodeling of our main facility is complete.”

That work includes two more dining options, The Bistro and a pub, and a new library, wellness center, entry and concierge area, along with reconfigured office and support spaces. 

“We have committed to adding to and improving both our services and facilities to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s residents and our community,” Pearson said. “Today marks a major milestone in our quest.”

Several local government officials saluted Westminster ’s achievements.

Indiana State Rep. Randy Truitt, whose grandmother resided at Westminster , said, “What has always been a great place for our retired residents is now even better. The Health Center is an important addition to services in our community.”

Tippecanoe County Commissioner David Byers said, “Westminster is building for the future, adding care for the future, and making an investment in the quality of life residents will be able to enjoy.”

Recalling that West Lafayette had earlier been named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top 10 Brainiest Places to Retire, West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis said, “ Westminster Village is a key contributor to making West Lafayette a great community. It has created an attractive, amenity-packed retirement village that draws residents. And its residents are involved in our community, volunteering and enhancing this great place to live and retire.”

Westminster Village ’s Health Center addition was designed by The Troyer Group, an architectural firm in Mishawaka , Ind. , built by Kettelhut Construction Inc. of Lafayette, and financed by Huntington National Bank.

Opened in 1976 as a continuing care community and expanded over the years, Westminster Village is today home to 350 residents who live in single-family houses, independent-living apartments, assisted living apartments and The Health Center.