Recently, the Chenango Valley Home in Norwich broke ground on a $4 million renovation to become the county’s first assisted living facility. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH - Recently, the Chenango Valley Home in Norwich celebrated with officials breaking ground on a $4 million renovation to become Chenango County's first assisted living facility.

"This project had been discussed for about two years and it started when the state put a grant out in early 2024," said Chenango Valley Home Assistant Administer Randy Palmer. "We considered it would be a good time to apply for it, we did apply- but didn't receive the funding." 

"And when the hospital closed down their assisted living facility, we decided we needed to do this," said Palmer.

He said the home will be changing their licensing to an ALR, Assisted Living Residence, which will allow a higher level of support for seniors, ensuring their safety and proper care of residents in the facility.

"Helping them age in place and stay closer to family members in their community," Palmer added.

"Right now, just being an adult care facility, we can't even place a band-aid on someone that has a cut or change colostomy bags," Palmer continued."That will change with the new licensing."

Palmer explained they are allowed to accept people into our adult home to a certain level of care, but once it reaches a certain threshold they cannot stay there or be entered into the facility. Once the home is an assisted living home, people will be able to stay longer and they will be able to provide rehab care instead of sending them to a different facility.

"We are anticipating the monthly cost for residence will be between $4,500. to $6,000, depending on the needs of the resident," said Palmer. " Regional nursing homes seem to range anywhere between $11,000 to $13,000 a month."

He noted each individual will have their own refurbished room with a private bath, three meals a day, snacks, activities, medication oversight, transportation, personal care and at nursing facilities they generally have shared rooms, more like a hospital environment.

He said the project will also construct a community room and front porch, giving residents an independent lifestyle.

Palmer said the project is partially funded by community donations and local organizations with the home covering additional costs and will continue to rely on donations, raising money, and a possible line of credit with a completion date slated for 2027.

The Chenango Valley Home has a history of patient care for 128 years and is a distinguished 501(c)3 non-profit home for adults, licensed by the New York State 

Department of Health.

According to their website, their mission is to provide an exemplary adult residence experience in the community, fostering a balance of independence, security, and comfort to those they serve.

For further information to donate to the "Capital Campaign", email info@zacharyj14.sg-host.com or visit their website at chenagovalleyhome.org.