Sagewood, a Scottsdale senior living community, has completed the expansion of its on-site, Acacia Health Center, according to Sagewood’s Executive Director Stewart Ingram.

Doubling in size, the $13.2 million expansion includes another 36,300 square-feet to Acacia Health Center at Sagewood.

Sixty beds have been added to the health center including a new 20-bed memory care neighborhood and 40 additional skilled nursing suites for a total of 78 skilled nursing beds, 62 of which are private suites and 12 semi-private suites, which will all be Medicare certified.

Each suite within the health center is equipped with a private bath and refrigerator, and has licensed nurses available 24/7.

Acacia is now one of several health centers in the Valley that features the AscribeRx automated dispensing system, providing a significantly more accurate and efficient medication disbursement delivered directly to individual’s medicine cabinets, according to Kathleen Connolly, administrator for Acacia Health Center.

New amenities added to Acacia features three new neighborhood dining rooms, three activity kitchens, three neighborhood living areas and an expanded rehabilitative therapy center with new in-patient and out-patient areas that features the Biodex Balance System for improving balance and agility, and for treating a wide variety of pathologies. In addition, a new outdoor patio with fountain has been added to the memory care area.

Celebrating five years of providing care, the expansion of Acacia Health Center has been designed to meet the future needs for residents of Sagewood as well as for direct public access to the skilled nursing suites, providing a great benefit to those who are looking for sub-acute rehab, where Medicare Part A benefits can be utilized.

Beautifully designed, Acacia Health Center focuses on residents based on a social-interactive model, offering a refreshing approach to health care. In addition, the nationally recognized Heartfelt Connections Memory Care Program is available to individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, focusing on remaining abilities of each individual because with a memory impairing illness, what remains is far more important than what is lost, Connolly said.

“The continuing demand for Acacia Health Center’s top medical and rehabilitative services has accelerated our timetable for this significant expansion and we are excited to offer the additional services to our Sagewood residents and the public,” said Ingram.

Ninety percent of the 292 apartment home, loft, villa and casita residences at Sagewood are currently occupied by seniors from around the country. Seniors are drawn to the community’s open and inviting design, hospitality-oriented amenities and progressive health care program with its on-site, newly expanded health center.

Life Plan Communities like Sagewood are a popular choice for young seniors looking to stay active in the aging process. The community provides an ideal setting for supporting independent lifestyles while offering increasing levels of care, as may be needed. Its continuing care program is designed to protect residents against the increasing costs of long-term care, providing a secured future with controlled and predictable long term health care costs.

“Sagewood helps seniors stay independent, as the residents direct their own care,” said Ingram. “Care team members at Acacia Health Center assist residents with their specific needs and aspirations, enabling them to recuperate and remain active members of the community.”

The Weitz Company served as the general contractor for Acacia Health Center. Architect is Todd & Associates and interior designer is Spellman Brady Company of St. Louis, Mo.