Some would say that Life Care Center of Stonegate in Parker is a nursing home, but Executive Director Meghan Case says it’s a place filled with memories.
Opened in 2012, Life Care Center of Stonegate is a local skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility welcomed Case as its new executive director in late August.
In her short time working at the facility, Case is grateful and looks forward to what they can do in the future.
“The Stonegate staff is a great team that is willing to step in and do whatever it takes to care for the residents,” said Case.
Life Care Center of Stonegate is one of 22 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Colorado and is managed by Life Care Centers of America.
Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company and manages nearly 200 skilled nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 27 states.
As executive director, Case ensures the facility is in compliance from a regulatory standpoint as well as building their team, culture and investing in leaders and the people who work there.
“You can have a beautiful building and five star reviews,” said Case. “But when it comes down to it, if you don’t have a good team and a team that loves it here and that’s invested, it just doesn’t work.”
Case has worked as a licensed nursing home administrator since July 2019.
Prior to her administrative role, she was a certified occupational therapist assistant and spent six years leading rehabilitation departments as a director of rehabilitation.
“You have to move really fast in therapy,” said Case. “You don’t have a lot of time to sit and chat. And now, I can just sit and listen and have tea with someone.”
One of Case’s goals is to have residents feel heard, loved and treasured as they have all lived amazing and beautiful lives.
She believes that there is a stereotype around nursing homes but it’s important to know that these people have contributed to society in ways many will never know.
Case has spoken to residents who have opened businesses, created patents, served in wars and who have stormed the beaches of Normandy.
“My favorite part about this job is being able to listen to stories that they tell of things they used to do and how they contributed,” said Case.
Another one of Case’s goals is to focus on developing leaders who motivate others and rise to the occasion.
Although she has only been at the facility for a few months, she said that it’s different because of the environment the staff has created, which is about 160 employees.
“The homey feeling, the welcoming feeling,” said Case. “Like this is their home. And we really strive to make people feel that even if they are here for a short time.”
Life Care Center at Stonegate boards anywhere between 80 to 90 patients and has three units.
One unit is for long-term care patients. These individuals are those who are in need of skilled care and most likely will live out the rest of their lives there.
Additionally, there are two short-term rehabilitation units. These patients have had some type of acute hospital stay where they need either physical or mental rehabilitation to return to a proper function.
Short term care is on average three weeks but sometimes patients have circumstances in which they require longer care.
As the facility offers speech, occupational and physical therapy on site, which includes a large physical therapy gym, they also offer outpatient services.
Aiming to keep residents thriving and engaged, Life Care Center at Stonegate includes an activities-life enrichment program and other activities that interest residents.
“I would like this legacy of people being taken care of really well, that they have fun, that we’re invested, that everything matters, and that people continue to provide great care,” said Case.
While the rooms in the facility are nice, residents can enjoy the outdoor courtyard and putting green, as well as an on-site salon, ice cream parlor and a grand dining room.
“It’s all of the small things people are doing behind the scenes that make people feel seen,” said Case. “That is really important and different from other places.”