Photos: An Inside Peek At Peconic Landing's $44 Million Expansion

GREENPORT, NY - After months of anticipation, Peconic Landing in Greenport is ready to unveil its $44 million expansion to the public in a grand opening ceremony Thursday.

Earlier this week, Patch took a tour of the not-for-profit organization's sparkling new facility, which includes the East End's first memory support neighborhood, as well as a short-term rehabilitation center and updates to the award-winning skilled nursing center.

The expansion includes 46 new apartments in West Apartments for residential living and enhancements to the community center.

The growth has created more than 60 jobs for East End residents, with many longtime employees seeing promotions, too.

Walking through Peconic Landing, the new spaces sported a calm, beach house feel, with beautiful, calming colors and shared living spaces such a dens and dining areas, to encourage residents to get out of their rooms and enjoy one another's company and that of their families.

The theme, Syron said, is "beach cottage by the shore."

Brand new classrooms, an art studio, and exercise facility that includes a swipe card that can allow residents to keep track of their workouts and progress, and outdoor opportunities for exercise, including shuffleboard and a gym, are among the amenities. An outdoor garden area, where residents can plant flowers and herbs, is also included in the revamp.

In Harbor South, the East End's first memory support center, staff learns the life story of each resident, so they can ensure that person isn't defined by their cognitive challenges such as dementia or Alzheimer's. "Residents are not defined by their diagnosis," said Gregory Garrett, EVP and Administrator of Health Services.

Rooms are equipped with silent motion detector systems to help notify staff is someone has fallen or is in a rest room for too long.

But while safety is key, the primary focus in Peconic Landing is on creating a full and rewarding journey for residents. "People come here to live," Syron said.

Added Garrett, "Everyone has a purpose. Just because someone has dementia doesn't mean they don't have a purpose."

To that end, the new spaces feature "destinations," cozy areas for residents to congregate, work on gardening or crafts, or engage in conversation.

Shadow boxes outside each room are waiting for new residents to fill them with memories; personal photos will still line the personal spaces.

"This is their home, their life, their community," said Robert. J. Syron, president and CEO of Peconic Landing.

Updated spaces include the lobby, a bistro for casual dining, the "market" convenience shop, a new mail room, a refreshed pool and new, larger locker rooms, and a spiffed up hair salon, Peconic Clippers.

Completely new spaces include a fitness lounge and studio with state-of-the art HUR-equipment, a juice bar, an aerobics studio, and a massage room.

The new spaces include the 46 West Apartments, one bedroom and one bedroom and den floor plans. The Bluffs offers 17 accommodations for short-term rehabilitative care, a state of the art therapy room and outdoor courtyard featuring a putting green and basketball, shared common spaces including a kitchen, library and den, and a classroom for team training.

Harbor South features 16 suites in a loop for continuous movement, shared comment spaces including the country kitchen, great room, library, and sun room for programming activities, as well as the outdoor sensory, discovery garden with sculpture and a waterfall.

Vinny Tirelli, who was busy setting up the garden, said some residents with cognitive challenges lose sensitivity to touch and feel; the garden will feature plants of different textures and scents to help stimulate the senses.

Staff training has accompanied the new additions, Syron said; staff is also able to take classes onsite and avail themselves of the fitness facilities.

A focus on staffers has won Peconic Landing accolades nationwide. "A great staff means great service and a great quality of life," he said.

Syron said the input of residents throughout the entire expansion process was key, just as it is, every day. "I'm a changed person because of the advice and counsel of our residents," he said.

Thursday's grand opening will feature words from elected officials and others who've played integral roles in Peconic Landing's journey.