Expansion & Relocation St. Michael's Home
NEED: According to the Census Bureau, in 2020 the number of elderly 65 years and older was 55,792,501 and represents the fastest growing segment of the population, expected to almost double in size the next 25 years. Of this group, 61% were 85-89, 30% were 90-94 and 10% were 95 & older. The US Dept. of Health projects that 70% of people 65 years & older will need long term care. That percentage increases exponentially with age.
As more and more people live longer, their needs due to diminished health and mobility and/or cognitive acuity, coupled with changing family dynamics or no family, will dramatically increase the demand for facilities such as the new St. Michael’s.
HISTORY: To fully respond to the ever-increasing numbers and needs of the elderly, a relocation and expansion project embarked in 2014 after an extended period of study and planning. An 11-acre site with 4 interconnected buildings encompassing over 100,000 sq. ft was purchased for $7,000,000 with a downpayment of $5,000,000 and a $2,000,000 mortgage (currently $1,400,000).
So as not to compete with the fund-raising underway for the St. Nicholas National Shrine, the capital campaign to fund the transformation of the Uniondale site into a magnificent state-of-the-art continuum care facility was postponed. Unable to wait any longer, it finally began in earnest in 2017. Ater completing an extensive application process, the NYS Department of Health gave approval in November 2020 for the project to move forward. Work began in 2021 and is now about 70% completed, with focus on the interior, as extensive exterior renovations have been completed.
VISION: The “new” St. Michael’s will accommodate over 150 residents (versus the 60 in the current Home) and offer progressively higher levels of licensed care (versus the current 1). Several of those licenses including the approval of 35 Medicare/Medicaid beds have already been secured. This expansion will eliminate the need for a resident to leave for another institution and allow the Home to accept applicants not eligible for admissions at the Yonkers facility as their care-needs exceed those currently permitted. The completely renovated structure will include: 13 independent-living one-bedroom & studio (rental) apartments; 78 studio bedrooms/units for independent and progressive levels of assisted living as well as those in a secure Memory Care Wing for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. Also included is a Chapel, physical therapy room, computer & movie lounges, taverna, beauty salon and so many other spaces expected in this day and age to provide an attractive, enjoyable and nurturing environment.
COST: The projected cost of the project was $48,000,000 but historic inflation has added approximately $7,000,000 to this amount needed to complete the work. If not for these inflationary increases, the project would have been done by now. A $10,000,000 construction loan has been secured and is available to complete the last stage of work. Before accessing the loan, a funding gap of about $6,000,000 needs to be bridged and the hope is that those who have not yet participated in the capital campaign will do so as soon as possible so as to keep construction moving forward. Once the loan is accessed, the facility can be completed in 7-8 months. To date, pledges of over $42,587,910 have been received, while $39,128,977 has been collected. Outstanding pledges ($3,468.930) are “current” and scheduled to be fulfilled within 16 months. These figures do not represent most site purchase costs and donations for it.
Certainly, the community has a sacred obligation to provide our seniors who represent this fastest growing segment of our population with an “elder care facility” offering a loving Greek Orthodox environment in which they receive ALL the assistance and levels of quality care they may need at this point in their life, especially religious, cultural and emotion support