Great River Klein Center is a thoughtfully designed nursing home that provides comprehensive care for people in the advanced stages of life, as well as for those who find themselves needing increased assistance with daily living. Built in 2013, the 127,000 square-foot facility is beautifully situated in West Burlington and is conceived as a community within a community. The Klein Center is divided into distinct households based on care needs, each featuring 16 private rooms along with shared amenities such as an activity kitchen, dining room, laundry room, and parlor. Each household is named after local landmarks, with resident input guiding the selection of names like Apple Tree Lane, Blackhawk Boulevard, Cascade Falls, Cobblestone Hill, Heritage Hill, Madison Avenue, Mississippi Boulevard, River Junction, Starrs Hollow, and Stony Hollow Hideaway. This creates a sense of familiarity and belonging for the elders who live there.
The Klein Center strives to enrich the lives of its residents by offering a wide range of activities and programs that meet social, spiritual, and recreational needs. Residents have opportunities to participate in regular holiday celebrations and seasonal events such as Autumn Fest and ice cream socials. Monthly gatherings like birthday parties and special meals bring residents, families, and friends together, fostering a vibrant community. Activities encouraging mobility and cognitive engagement are a daily part of life, and sensory activities are specially designed to stimulate residents who are living with dementia. Specialized households like Cobblestone Hill and Stony Hollow Hideaway are dedicated to memory care, providing a safe environment, especially for those in the middle stages of dementia, allowing residents to retain as much independence as possible while ensuring their safety.
Rooms at the Klein Center are comfortably furnished with a bed, nightstand, dresser, and armoire, and residents are encouraged to bring familiar items like a favorite chair, television, computer, or artwork to make their new space feel like home. The facility is mindful of safety, advising against the use of rugs, rocking chairs, and other items that may create tripping hazards. Each private bathroom includes a walk-in shower, safety lighting, and bright fixtures to enhance accessibility. Rooms are also equipped with telephone and computer jacks, as well as cable television hookups, making it easy to stay connected.
To ensure that residents' financial needs are met, interest-bearing accounts can be opened for incidental expenses such as hair care, newspapers, and other personal items. A beauty shop located in the Town Center offers services from independent stylists, and payment can be conveniently managed through residents' accounts. Each household features its own laundry room, with both staff and family having access to laundry facilities. The facility’s library, located near the entrance, provides access to books, audiobooks, and magazines, and daily newspaper delivery is available for those who wish to subscribe.
The Klein Center values meaningful activities and offers a variety of regularly scheduled programs, including games, exercise classes, religious services, and visiting animal programs. Residents enjoy special events such as senior prom, happy hours, educational programs, intergenerational and multicultural activities, and outings to local attractions like baseball games or Christmas light displays. Klein University Learning Circles give residents a voice, allowing them to regularly meet with household coordinators and Social Services to discuss ideas for improvement and share feedback on what is working well.
Spiritual well-being is supported by a non-denominational chaplain who addresses the spiritual, emotional, and religious needs of residents. Regular chapel services led by local clergy are held on Tuesday afternoons, and weekly and monthly communion services cater to various faith traditions. A Roman Catholic rosary is prayed every Friday, led by volunteers, and Mass is offered monthly. Volunteers play an important role at the Klein Center, helping residents with technology, escorting them to activities and therapy sessions, assisting in the coffee shop and gift shop, and providing companionship.
The process for moving into the Klein Center requires an application and an admission order from a primary-care physician, along with supporting documents such as advance directives, a recent physical exam, medication list, and copies of medical insurance cards. A preadmission assessment is conducted to ensure that the Klein Center can meet both the prospective resident’s needs and their family’s expectations. Elders receive bills depending on the services they require, which might include fees for durable medical equipment and pharmacy services. The Center accepts Medicaid (Title 19), private pay, and long-term care insurance, making its services accessible to a wide range of residents.
At the heart of Great River Klein Center is a commitment to fostering comfort, dignity, and independence. Residents are encouraged to personalize their environment, participate in vibrant community life, and engage in programs that maintain physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The goal is to create a supportive, home-like setting where elders are empowered to live fully and with joy.
