Eckerd Living Center stands as a dedicated 80-bed skilled nursing facility nestled in the serene mountains of Western North Carolina. Recognized as a five-star care home, it specializes in providing long-term care within a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment. The facility is physically connected to the nearby hospital, ensuring that residents have immediate access to emergency and acute medical attention when needed. Each resident at Eckerd Living Center is paired with a primary care physician committed to crafting a personalized medical treatment plan, supervising diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and personally overseeing the prescription of required medications.
The care approach at Eckerd Living Center is deeply interdisciplinary. Teams of administrators, physicians, nurse managers, social workers, dietitians, therapists, and specialized consultants collaborate closely to deliver the highest standard of care for every member of the community. Family involvement is actively encouraged, with loved ones urged to participate in the resident’s care plan, ensuring that families remain an integral part of their loved one's healthcare experience.
The facility offers a high level of security throughout to safeguard residents, including those who may be prone to wandering. Meals are served in a fine-dining style, with choices each mealtime that include two entrees, two vegetables, two starches, and a selection of desserts from a dessert cart. All diets are thoughtfully liberalized to support both satisfaction and healthy weight maintenance, catering to individual preferences and needs.
Eckerd Living Center is also known for its robust rehabilitation and wellness programs, delivered in partnership with a leading provider of therapy services. Residents have access to an array of wellness-centered rehabilitation programs and health education resources designed to help them manage chronic conditions, improve overall health, and preserve independence. The rehabilitation team, drawing from three disciplines, crafts specialized plans tailored to each resident, ensuring an individualized path to achieving their highest possible level of independence.
Life at Eckerd Living Center is enriched by a vibrant schedule of activities managed by dedicated staff and volunteers. Daily activities include favorites such as bingo, various games, Moovin' & Groovin', Daily Chronicle, and prayer time. On a bi-weekly basis, residents can enjoy worship sessions, live music, heartfelt devotions, and “Let’s Talk,” along with “Chaplin’s Chat with Pastor Ralph.” Weekly events cover crafts, “fun with food,” Saturday matinees, book readings, and a variety of social games. Monthly highlights feature resident outings on wheelchair-accessible buses and vans, along with themed parties and musical performances by groups like “C-Squares” on the third Monday and “Mountain Dulcimers” on the fourth Monday of each month in the Activities Room, the latter being seasonal. Seasonal activities include a Gardening Club and festive holiday celebrations, while every quarter, a memorial service is held in loving memory of residents who have passed, hosted by Chaplain Ralph Campbell at 2:00pm in the Activities Room.
Additionally, the center offers off-campus activities such as fishing, bowling, and shopping, ensuring that residents stay connected to the broader community in a safe and enjoyable manner. Whether engaging in wellness-focused rehabilitation or participating in enriching social activities, residents and their families can trust that Eckerd Living Center is committed to delivering compassionate, comprehensive, and individualized care in a place that truly feels like home.