Care One at King James is now officially CareOne at Middletown following ribbon cutting ceremonies last week at the Route 36 facility, the first of its kind in the Bayshore area when it was built more than 50 years ago.
CareOne at Middletown Administrator Jimmie King, using a giant size pair of scissors, participated in the ribbon cutting ceremonies together with Middletown Township Committeewoman Kimberly Krat and CareOne administrators.
CareOne is the largest skilled nursing facility in the state, with more than 50 locations both within the Garden State and in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Changing the name to CareOne at Middletown is in keeping with the names of most of the other facilities, including CareOne at Holmdel.
The original King James by whom the building was built, the late Kingdon Westerlind and former Atlantic Highlands Mayor James R. Snyder, will continue to be honored with the naming of the main dining room and recreational facility within the building now the King James Dining Room. The two men were part owners of King Construction company which also built numerous other large complexes in New Jersey.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremonies, held at the main entrance to the facility, residents and guests were invited to tour the facility including the enclosed outdoor area which is a popular place for games, entertainment and other activities during the spring, summer and fall seasons, and enjoyed refreshments prepared by the facility’s award-winning culinary team, as well as a live DJ for entertainment.
Also present for the day’s activities were the facility’s therapy dog Rider, and its miniature therapy pony, Roxy.
CareOne at Middletown has been recognized in the past because of the longtime services of its employees, with many of them serving more than 20 years as nurses, aides, or maintenance workers or culinary staff, totaling more than 500 years of service at the 55-year-old facility. Many staff members are relatives or long-time neighbors and friends of many of the residents.
