– Partners with Erland and DiMella Shaffer
Chelsea, MA – Two divisions of the Kaydon Group of Companies, Florence Electric and Kaydon Integrated Technologies have completed all the electrical work and integrated systems technology infrastructure for the Leonard Florence Center for Living in Chelsea.
The Center for Living is the first skilled nursing facility built in Massachusetts in nearly 13 years and the first urban Green House built in the country for the elderly and those requiring short-term rehabilitation. A radical departure from traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities, The Green House model alters facility size, interior design, staffing patterns, and methods of delivering skilled professional services.
The Center is the first of its kind equipped with fully automated living facilities for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and MS (Multiple Sclerosis) patients. The technology at this center is truly innovative…where ALS or MS patients can independently accomplish amazing things such as turning on the lights with just a blink of an eye or using computer-assistance to open doors, adjust window shades or control the TV.
The Leonard Florence Center for Living is a six story, 100-bed skilled nursing home. The facility consists of 10 condo-style Green Houses, with each home containing 10 private bedrooms complete with bath and shower, arranged around a dining area, open kitchen and common living room where residents can develop a sense of community. Two houses are dedicated for individuals living with ALS and MS. Each house has its own dedicated staff of caregivers to provide daily assistance. A separate clinical team of nurses, social workers, therapists, medical directors, nutritionists, and pharmacists visit the houses regularly to provide as needed services for residents.
The Center for Living was named for the late Chelsea-born philanthropist, Leonard Florence.
The project team included Florence Electric and Kaydon Integrated Technologies of Taunton. Eli Florence, CEO of the companies and nephew to Leonard Florence, put his crews into action to provide the infrastructure for power, lighting, fire, security systems, emergency back-up generator, teledata and audio visual requirements.
Florence spoke of the project and his uncle. “All his life, Lenny worked to improve the lives of people he encountered. I am so proud that my team could play an integral part in working to make Lenny’s dream of the Living Center a reality.”
Along with the Kaydon Group, other key partners on the project included Erland Construction and architect, DiMella Shaffer Associates.