Westfield Care & Rehab Center sits over on 65 Westfield Rd. in Meriden, Connecticut, and folks in town might remember it best as the old Apple Rehab nursing home, a sizable one-story building with 33,000 square feet that once housed 120 beds and saw use as a COVID-19 recovery center. This property, now set for new use under the city's adaptive reuse zone, is being looked at for conversion into senior apartments for people over 55, with plans aiming to build about 50 single-level units, all with their own direct entrances since the developers want to remove those long hallways from the five wings-something that's a little different from most old nursing homes. The place was bought for about $1.1 million and sits on five acres with big trees off the busy part of Westfield Avenue, right near where the city's looking to connect the grounds to a linear walking trail out back, and there's talk about keeping outdoor features like flower gardens made from old rain gutters, a walking path, a gazebo, raised beds, and even a dog park.
This center also used to run as a skilled nursing facility, giving both short- and long-term care, memory care for folks with dementia, and post-acute rehabilitation to help seniors get back on their feet. There are specialized programs like wound care and cardiopulmonary therapy, plus twenty-four hour care and supervision with emergency alert systems. Nurses and aides who speak English help with medication, personal care, and getting around, while physicians direct care that's matched to each person's needs. People can expect help with bathing, dressing, transfers, medications, and meals, with a holistic approach that stresses both body and mind wellness.
The building once included a center atrium, now planned to have a glass entrance a bit like a hotel, and inside, plans call for amenities like a gym, an activity room, a library, community spaces, offices, and a recreation room, all aimed at seniors' interests. Outdoor areas have gardens, spots for sitting, and paths to walk, and parking will be accessible. Residents can join art, games, or wellness programs, take part in scheduled daily activities, or run their own get-togethers. Dining comes with restaurant-style meals, special diets if needed, and the option to eat at any time of day, plus housekeeping, laundry, and support for families. Private rooms have bathrooms, kitchenettes, air conditioning, cable TV, phone, and Wi-Fi, and there are concierge services and transportation available. The center accepts Medicare and Medicaid for payment, making it possible for a wider group of seniors to get care.
Westfield Care & Rehab Center is part of the Apple Rehab group and is run by staff and physicians focused on careful, attentive support for both recovery and daily needs. It functions as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, providing people the chance to stay as they require more support. The site, built in 1964 and now over fifty years old, is recognized for its senior living and rehabilitation care and also for being part of a city effort to give new life to properties that might otherwise sit empty. The site sees a steady 3.9 rating from a handful of reviews, and while it's seen better days and has some minor drainage issues, it's central location, outdoor features, and community-focused plans give it a unique spot in Meriden's changing landscape.
