CASPER, Wyo. — Governor Mark Gordon attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for Wyoming’s first skilled nursing facility dedicated to veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star families, according to a release from the governor’s office.
The state-funded Veterans’ Skilled Nursing Facility adds three cottages, each accommodating 12 veterans, to the site of the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming in Buffalo.
“Our veterans are an integral part of Wyoming’s rich heritage, and it is an honor to celebrate the completion of the first veterans skilled nursing facility in Wyoming,” Gordon said in the release. “Veterans, and their families, embody the spirit of Wyoming through their courageous and selfless actions to protect the liberties we hold dear. This beautiful facility reflects the honor and dignity owed to those who sacrificed so much to protect our way of life.”
The facility’s “Green House” concept differs from a traditional nursing home in terms of facility size, interior design, organizational structure, staffing patterns, and methods of delivering skilled professional services, the release said.
“It is designed from the ground up to look and feel like a real home. Each cottage offers a private bedroom and bathroom for the residents, along with a common space that includes a living area, an open kitchen and a dining table,” the release said.
The project was funded through legislation in 2019, with Wyoming providing a 35% match to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ 65% portion, the release said.
“By leveraging both VA and Medicaid reimbursements, the state can offer lower-cost private pay rates to veterans who may reside at the facility,” the release said.
Honorably discharged veterans, state National Guard members disabled while on duty, their spouses and Gold Star family members are eligible for admission, with preference given to veterans and spouses.
