By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Time is running out to stake your claim at Eagle’s Trace, officials there are reporting.

The construction of Renaissance Gardens, an extended-care facility which breaks ground this month, will be the primary focus of expansion efforts at Eagle’s Trace for at least the next ten months. The new building, will provide assisted living, long-term nursing care, Alzheimer’s care, and short-term rehabilitation.

Increased demand
Eagle’s Trace Director of Marketing Pamela Burgeson says the opening of Renaissance Gardens on campus will increase the demand for current and future units. When potential buyers know that a wide variety of health needs can be taken care of at Eagle’s Trace, it gives them an added sense of security about moving.

“People like knowing they will never be a burden on their loved ones,” Burgeson says. “We’ve seen it at other Erickson communities where they’ve opened a Renaissance Gardens—demand increases significantly.”

Limited supply
While construction of the new building may increase demand, most residents at Eagle’s Trace will probably never live at Renaissance Gardens. That’s because, according to Erickson Health officials, as few as 1.3% of Erickson residents move to assisted living each year. As a result, the number of apartment homes in residential buildings may not meet the surge in demand.

Erickson’s Regional Director of Marketing and Sales Sean O’Connor says, “I’m telling people not to sit around and wait. If they want to take advantage of the Erickson lifestyle, now is the time to do it.”

Complementary service
O’Connor explains that there’s usually an increase in demand after the announcement of a Renaissance Gardens and after it is completely built. “When people see it, they say, ‘Let’s get in there— it’s got everything we want,’” he says. “It’s the final piece of the campus that gives it that full continuum of  service.”