Mercy Cedar Rapids and Presbyterian Homes & Services Purchase Land for New Senior Living Community and Innovation Center
Mercy is pleased to announce its partnership with Presbyterian Homes & Services — a national leader in housing and services for older adults — to create a new standard for senior living and care for the Cedar Rapids community. The two organizations have purchased 42 acres of land in northeast Cedar Rapids, east of the C Ave. Extension and northeast of Robins Road.
When completed in Fall of 2022, HallMar Village will be an advanced, medically integrated community — including innovative, specialized care for those living with dementia — and provide healthy living unlike other options available today. This new senior living community will provide a full range of housing and services for the rapidly growing population of older adults in the region.
In addition to a long-term care community, HallMar Village will also include independent living and residential apartments, as well as an expansive town center with: a chapel; dedicated community room; conservatory with plants and natural light year-round; restaurant-style dining and a casual bistro; state-of-the-art wellness center; salon/spa; and a theater. Outdoor features will include patios, gardening space and walking trails. The community will also incorporate the buildings and grounds of the current Echo Hill Presbyterian Church. The project will be developed by Senior Housing Partners, the development arm of Presbyterian Homes & Services. HallMar Village will replace the existing Mercy Hallmar residential care facility, which opened in 1960.
“HallMar Village will be a beautiful living space for aging adults, but it is about much more than housing,” said Tim Charles, president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center. “This is a natural progression of the work Mercy has done with a specialized focus on dementia. Our vision and design for this new community are based on ongoing initiatives to change the culture of how brain health and dementia are viewed — not only within Mercy, but also across the broader community. With an innovative, medically integrated approach to aging and dementia care — which is unique in this area — and in partnership with Presbyterian Homes & Services, we are eager to continue our work in this important arena to create an exceptional senior living community to benefit and meet the needs of older adults.”
Dan Lindh, president and CEO of Presbyterian Homes & Services, said, “Our ministry was founded upon a vision to create more opportunities and services for more older adults to live well. We believe HallMar Village will do just that. Mercy is an exceptional partner in this work given their expertise; long-standing commitment to the community; and our alignment in mission, values and faith-based legacies. We are excited for HallMar Village to become our sixth senior living community in Iowa, situated between our Highland Ridge community in Williamsburg and our partnership with the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque.”
Notably, the project will also include the creation of the Innovation Center for Aging and Dementia, which will be housed in the existing Echo Hill Presbyterian Church building. The Center will provide valuable services to support people living with dementia, care partners and families. Specifically:
- Mercy’s Memory Clinic, which is currently housed at the hospital, will be relocated to the new property to conveniently serve those living on-site, as well as extend services to the broader community.
- A specialized geriatric provider will have dedicated clinic space to provide ongoing care to residents; geriatric providers will also see residents in their homes, if necessary.
- The Family Caregivers Center of Mercy outreach team will offer resources consistent with those currently provided at their 901 8th Ave. SE location.
- A day center will be available and tailored for early-stage dementia and inclusiveness for all.
- A living classroom will provide opportunities for various types of caregivers (staff, volunteers, students, etc.) to learn how to better assist residents living in the facilities in which they provide care.
Charles added that HallMar Village was modeled after the seven domains of well-being as described by Dr. Alan Power, an internationally recognized expert on aging. Those domains are: identity, connectedness, security, autonomy, meaning, growth and joy. These core philosophies will be applied in a person-directed approach, emphasizing each person’s value and how they embrace living.
Construction on the site is anticipated to begin spring 2021. For more information on HallMar Village, call Annie Pollock at 319-249-9763.
