Life Care Centers of America is seeking a certificate of need to build a new facility in East Ridge on land next to the existing center.
Life Care Center of East Ridge plans to vacate its 40-year-old nursing home building and move into a brand new facility.
The nursing home's parent company, Life Care Centers of America, has published a letter of intent to apply for a certificate of need for the project, and is awaiting approval to start construction on the new $24.8 million facility.
"A new building for Life Care Center of East Ridge will be more functional for patient requirements, with a strong emphasis on post-acute care, helping people with rehabilitation to return home to active lifestyles, and featuring an attractive homelike environment," Beecher Hunter, Life Care Centers of America's president, said in a written statement.
The East Ridge nursing home is located at 1500 Fincher Ave., and Life Care Centers plans to build the new facility on the abandoned lot to the east.
Completion of the project should take between 11 and 14 months, Hunter said.
The new facility will have fewer beds, 108 versus the 130 in the current facility, but no services will be discontinued, officials said.
The Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency requires nursing homes to file for a certificate of need before a significant modification is made or a new facility constructed.
The nursing home is now completing the certificate of need application. After that is approved or denied, objections can be made for 15 days by any person or health care institution, according to the Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency's website.
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.