Since the Renaissance Unit opened to receive persons requiring transitional or subacute care, the Masonic Homes admitted more than 325 individuals to the facility in 1997, 14 of whom were not residents of the Masonic Homes at the time. After receiving quality care services in the Renaissance Unit, the vast majority of those patients have returned to their own homes, or to their most independent living environment.

The Masonic Homes has provided transitional care services to residents since 1996, but with the opening of the Renaissance Unit last February, those services are now provided in a more homelike environment, within the beauty, comfort and security of the Masonic Homes. Since today's health care facilities face cost containment pressures which often lead to shorter hospital stays for persons who require rehabilitation services, the Renaissance Unit provides this level of care to help them make a smoother transition from the hospital back to home.

The 51-bed Renaissance Unit, located in the Ben Franklin Building of the Masonic Health Care Center, is designed with capabilities to perform transitional care services for persons who may require complex medical management following a hospital stay. The staff utilizes equipment conducive to providing a wide range of complex medical services. Immediately after, or instead of, acute hospitalization, one who has had an acute illness or injury, or is in the exacerbation stage of a disease process can receive active, complex medical treatments through subacute care until stabilization occurs. The unit provides comprehensive medical, rehabilitation and consultation programs and services designed to meet the individual needs of each patient. The staff on this unit receives special training and encourages patients to get better and reach their highest level of independence at their own pace. The unit currently provides all of the services available at a hospital transitional unit for a much lower cost and in a more homelike environment. Often, the services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or other insurers.

The Renaissance Unit provides services to all Pennsylvania Masons and their eligible family members, and is not limited to serving only residents of the Masonic Homes. It offers a valuable choice to those who are eligible and require a subacute level of care. If you, or someone you know, needs this level of care, you are urged to contact the Masonic Homes to learn how you can be served. Call 1-800-422-1207.