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Visiting
State representatives recently visited Westview Health Care Center and the site of Country Living at Westview Commons. Left to right: State Representative Rick Hayes, State Representative Anne Dauphinais and Donna Copeland, executive director for Country Living at Westview Commons. Courtesy photo.
DAYVILLE — Connecticut State Representatives Anne Dauphinais and Rick Hayes recently visited Westview Health Care Center as well as the site of Country Living at Westview Commons—the soon-to-be-built independent and assisted living community. The pair of State House members toured the skilled nursing facility and met with some of the residents and patients—many of whom are constituents of Dauphinais and Hayes in their representation of the 44th and 51st districts respectively.
The leadership invited them to see the accelerating progress at Country Living at Westview Commons. The 75-unit, 115,000-square foot structure is across from Westview Health Care Center where Administrator David Panteleakos and Westview Commons Executive Director Donna Copeland hosted the conversation.
The group viewed the model units nearby. Panteleakos said he especially appreciated the time that they took to learn more about this upcoming prospect for senior living in northeastern Connecticut. “I am always pleased to meet with our local and national lawmakers to share the Westview story,” said Panteleakos, executive vice president for Country Living at Westview Commons and administrator/CEO for Westview Health Care Center. “Both Representative Dauphinais and Representative Hayes were kind enough to take the campus tour and discuss the issues affecting our residents and employees.” The presentation for the visiting State Representatives highlighted the many aspects of the project, including: why this was being built, how the construction was taking place with locally sourced materials and labor, who in our community can benefit from this living opportunity, and where this expansive 32 acre campus is developing in a quiet section of Dayville woods. As the senior demographic increases among the citizens of Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, Thompson, and Woodstock (and across America) the visit emphasized the importance of properly addressing the growing needs of our aging population. Both Representative Dauphinais and Representative Hayes have multiple areas of interest that lend to their understanding of the value of adding an asset like this to our community. Representative Hayes spent decades with the Putnam Police force, retiring as Chief of Police in 2006. He additionally served 25 years as the Thompson Fire Marshall, and through all of this he has gained a firm understanding of the needs of the community, and how to help its individuals live healthy, safe, productive lives. The presentation for Westview Commons was sure to include details about the safety protocols being built into the structure. Representative Hayes is endorsed by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and he was keen on learning how the vertical integration between Westview Health Care Center and Westview Commons benefits those providing care and services as well as those who receive it. The background of Representative Dauphinais is also an asset in her role serving the community, and furthermore, for her comprehension of the needs that Country Living at Westview Commons is addressing. Anne served as a Registered Nurse at Windham Hospital and continues to work in the health care industry; giving her knowledge and experience in the delivery and planning of care. Additionally, she currently serves on the Appropriations, Housing, and Public Safety and Security Committees in the Connecticut General Assembly.
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