Northen Dutchess and assisted-living outfit in talks
They are just in the “talking stages,” says Denise George, the new president and CEO of Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck. But if all goes according to plan, the hospital and The Eddy, a Troy-based nonprofit senior services network, may be bringing independent and assisted living to Rhinebeck.
Northern Dutchess Hospital (NDH) owns 30 acres of what George described as “prime real estate straddling the town and village of Rhinebeck. It would be a great location for seniors, who would be within walking distance to stores, banks and other services in the village.”
The property, on West Market Street across from the Starr Library, has been vacant for years. “We”™ve already conducted a feasibility study and concluded this type of housing is needed,” said George. “We have a hospital and we also have a nursing home, The Thompson House. This would complete the picture for the range of services we”™d be able to offer our northern Dutchess community.”
The Eddy is part of the Northeast Health System and has 22 years of experience in building retirement communities in the capital region. If the plan to build the senior community materializes, it would be a joint venture between NDH and The Eddy, said George.
NDH, an affiliate of Health Quest, currently serves approximately 153,000 people in its catchment area. “What we”™re looking at is the ability to offer complete services for our seniors, not just in our nursing home,” said George. “Our next move will be to do an engineering survey of the property and market analysis.”
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