Beverly Healthcare to build facility this summer

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Beverly Healthcare of Branson was issued a Certificate of Need by the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee April 3 to construct a new facility. |ret||ret||tab|

"The anticipated groundbreaking is this summer. The opening is planned for late 2001 or early 2002," said Ray Posey, executive director of Beverly Healthcare.|ret||ret||tab|

The 100-bed skilled nursing care and nursing facility is currently situated on Missouri Highway 248 in Branson. Not far from this location is the future site of the 38,514-square-foot skilled nursing care facility to be built on a five-acre plat on Branson Meadows Drive. |ret||ret||tab|

"It will have the same number of beds, only it is going to be bigger. Each room will have its own bathroom," Posey said. "It will also have a dedicated dementia unit." |ret||ret||tab|

He said he expects the number of employees to increase about 20 percent to meet the needs of the larger operation. The current staff comprises 65 people.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Posey, the new facility will continue to offer the same services, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, social services, social activities, adult day care and transportation to doctors' offices and other locations. He said Beverly Healthcare also will continue to accept Medicare and Medicaid.|ret||ret||tab|

The architect for the facility is Nathan McDaniel of Fort Smith, Ark., which is where Beverly Healthcare's parent company, Beverly Enterprises-Missouri Inc., has its headquarters, according to Beth Peerson, project manager for the new facility. Peerson said, however, a construction contractor for the new facility has not yet been named. |ret||ret||tab|

Beverly Enterprises Inc. operates 561 nursing homes nationwide.|ret||ret||tab|

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