Home Care In Arlington, TN

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - It’s a project that has been in the works since the early 2000′s.

The construction for a new 126 bed Tennessee State Veterans home in Arlington is finally underway.

Local and state officials gathered Friday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony on Memphis Arlington Road.

It’s hard to believe that it’s taken over 17 years to get to this point.

The $55 million state of the art skilled nursing facility will be built across 28 acres of land in Arlington, but before even the first million was raised, there was Holly and Don Swogger.

Neither one of them served in the military, but the idea that many veterans in Shelby County would have to drive up to 3 hours to the closest veterans home in Humboldt, Tennessee was troubling for them.

“We’re talking about veterans you know that have given just everything for us, so it’s easy,” said Holly Swogger.

The Swoggers helped lead the initial grassroots local effort to raise over $20 million.

Local and state support was needed first before federal funding could be secured.

The Swoggers would reach out to whomever would listen.

“I mean it was a part of our marriage. I mean she would go to every tv show. She would go to every Kiwanis group, every civics organization that wanted to hear about it,” said Don Swogger.

Friday, the Swoggers and a slew of other local and state leaders gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony that will soon be available to 77,000 veterans living in Southwest Tennessee, 75% of them over the age of 55.

“We’re going to do rehab, long-term care happening, short-term rehab where hip and knee replacement, those types of things. Get people better and get them home,” said Ed Harries, Executive Director of Tennessee State Veterans Home.

The land will house 7 one story buildings consisting of 18 private beds in each.

The facility will care for veterans, their spouses and some gold-star parents.

The home will also employ 200 full time and part time positions with a $10 million regional impact.

Officials plan to have the new home completed in the next two-and-a-half years.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a final grant of more than $38 million to the State of Tennessee, funding which will go toward the cost of new construction of the West Tennessee Veterans' Nursing Home in Arlington.

“This announcement is a major accomplishment for veterans in West Tennessee. The West Tennessee Veterans' Nursing Home, a 126-bed facility in Arlington, Tennessee, will be a lifeline for our veterans and their families,” said U.S. Rep. David Kustoff in a written statement.

The facility has been in the works for years, with both the master and site plan approved in 2021. The 126-bed facility will be built on 28.65 acres of land just south of the Tennessee Developmental Center at 5240 Elm Park Street.

With a neighborhood design, each house will consist of 18 private rooms with courtyards and dining spaces. The home will also have a community center with a bistro, a large activity space and a therapy gym.

“We are deeply grateful to the nearly half-million veterans living in Tennessee today,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee in a written statement. “This new facility will ensure accessible, high-quality care for veterans who call West Tennessee home, and I thank the local, state and federal partners who worked to bring this tremendous resource to Arlington and the surrounding communities.”

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Although Shelby County has more veterans than any other county in Tennessee, the closest Tennessee State Veterans' Home is in Humboldt, in Gibson County.

“We couldn’t be any happier to see the West Tennessee Veterans Home finally begin construction after so many years," said Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman in a written statement. "Communities and volunteers from nearby counties all helped through a grass roots campaign to help fund the local portion, and Arlington is fortunate to be the location to help take much needed care of so many veterans in the region. We look forward to eventually welcoming the staff and residents of the home and making them feel like a part of the Arlington family."

The tentative groundbreaking date is in March, Wissman said.

Shelby County Commissioner Amber Mills, who represents Arlington, said the project has been a collaboration of community stakeholders in Shelby County and surrounding counties.

The total project cost is $68.4 million.

“I am so pleased to join Congressman Kustoff and all the citizens of West Tennessee in celebrating the news from the Department of Veterans Affairs announcing federal assistance for new construction of the West Tennessee Veterans Home in Arlington," Mills said. "I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to better the lives of our veterans in Shelby County."

Katherine Burgess covers county government and religion. She can be reached at [email protected], 901-529-2799 or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The 2023 St. Jude Dream Home is officially complete tonight!

The home built entirely out of love for the children of St. Jude is ready to welcome visitors and soon a new owner.

The 2023 St. Jude Dream Home is a 3-bedroom 3-and-a-half-bath home built in Arlington.

With top-of-the-line EVERYTHING!

The 3, 000 square feet house is worth more than half a million dollars.

But for the volunteers who took it from dirt to done, it is priceless.

Greg Bridges, the Owner of Southern Serenity Homes says

“This home is a home that anybody would want to live in. It doesn’t matter whether you’re old, it doesn’t matter whether you’re young. it’s got something that everybody wants.”

The St. Jude Dream Home was built by Southern Serenity Homes. Volunteering their time since 2008 and raising more than $22 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“It’s just every year it’s becoming a bigger and bigger success. Memphis support with this home has become incredible.” Bridges says.

Tickets sold out in record time this year raising a record $1,850,000 for the hospital.

And in a matter of weeks, one lucky winner will be able to call this their dream home.

The annual Dream Home giveaway began with two friends who wanted to raffle a home for charity.

Susan Aguillard, The Dream Home giveaway chairman, said, “July 11, 2022, the dream home campaign. From the very first dream home to that date raised $600 million.”

All the funds raised during the Dream Home campaign go to St. Jude where no child pays for treatment, housing, travel, or food.

Starting Saturday you can tour this gorgeous home yourself.

“Tickets are sold, there are no more available tickets. However, people need to come to see this house. It’s fabulous, especially for those who have purchased tickets!” Aguillard said.

The 2023 St. Jude Dream Home is located at 5059 Porch Rock Cove in Arlington.

And be sure to join us on June 25th... for the live drawing.. for the 2023 St. Jude Dream Home.. and for many other amazing prizes!

The St. Jude Dream Home lot is located on the south side of Summers Road, east of I-269. Follow I-40 to TN-205 N/Airline Road in Arlington. Take exit 24/25 from I-40 and keep left at the fork to continue on to exit 25. Turn left onto TN-205 N/Airline Road, then turn left onto Summers Road.

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Thousands of people in West Tennessee will soon have quicker access to medical care.

When Baptist Arlington Emergency Department opens Monday, it will be West Tennessee's first freestanding emergency department. It also will be the only hospital access for many between Bartlett and Jackson.

"We're very excited because I can think of recent events where this could have made the difference," said Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman. "The closest place to Arlington is Bartlett, but when you think about between here and Jackson there's no advanced medical care. So to have a facility like this that can do important, immediate, life-saving skills, we couldn't be happier."

Arlington city leaders were joined by others who helped make the new emergency department a reality Thursday morning for a ribbon cutting.

The $10 million facility is located on Airline Road just one mile north of I-40 in Arlington.

It's also equipped to transport the more serious cases to a hospital quicker, with a helicopter. But with 35,000 square feet, it's more than an ER. Baptist Medical Group will also provide primary and urgent care.

"This community is getting an emergency department, plus you're getting that walk-in clinic, that primary care center, the imaging center practically all at once," said Dr. Saju Joy, the Baptist Memorial Health Care's chief physician executive. "The clinic will offer services from A to Z. A full service primary care which includes primary care for asthma and other chronic diseases, like COPD. We'll also have flue testing and immunizations."

A drive-thru will offer flu and COVID-testing, and patients can get screenings, such as X-ray, ultrasound and CT. In addition, OrthoSouth is slated to open offices in early 2023.

"It's essentially an opportunity to have more access for the residents for the area and brings a level of healthcare that we haven't had in this part of the county," said Samuel Pieh, the Baptist Memorial Memphis Hospital's chief operating officer.

Baptist Arlington Emergency Department will operate 24/7.

It opens at 7:30 a.m. Monday.

A sneak peek inside at a community day takes place 1-3 p.m. Saturday, which includes tours, health screenings, basic CPR training and an upclose look at a medical helicopter, fire truck and pediatric ambulance.

P.D. Parrot, Baptist's pediatric mascot, will also be in attendance to greet children.

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

Arlington currently employs 72 full-time and 4 part-time employees. Applications for all positions are accepted at any time and are kept on file at Town Hall for six months.

If you want a stable job with opportunity for growth, good benefits, and the satisfaction of service to your fellow citizens, consider employment with the Town of Arlington. The Town of Arlington will not discriminate against any individual for any reason and will provide services to all citizens in a nondiscriminatory fashion. Learn more here.

JOB OPENINGS: Completed applications may be emailed to [email protected] or may be turned in to Town Hall at 5854 Airline Road, Arlington, TN 38002. The Town of Arlington is an EOE.

Employment Application – available for download.

Utility Worker -Public Works – The Town of Arlington is currently seeking a highly motivated individual for a full time Utility Worker position to join our Public Works Department. This position primarily performs semi-skilled manual work functions related to installation, maintenance, and repair of roads, sidewalks, drainage systems (ditches, pipes, inlets). Applicant must have a High School Diploma or GED & experience in performing heavy manual work in a construction, industrial, or municipal setting. Pay range $17-$18 depending on experience. Must pass a background check, driver’s license check and physical exam, including a drug screen. Will work in a non-smoking environment. Utility Worker Job Description

Heavy Equipment Operator -Public Works – The Town of Arlington is seeking a highly motivated individual for a full-time Heavy Equipment Operator to join our Public Works department. This position primarily performs highly-skilled manual work functions related to installation, maintenance, and repair of roads, sidewalks, drainage systems (ditches, pipes, inlets), and operates various pieces of machinery. Applicant must have graduated from a standard high or trade school, obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License for the State of Tennessee within 2 years, and at least 4 years’ experience in operating heavy machinery in a construction, industrial or municipal setting. Salary Range $19-$21 depending on experience.

Firefighter Paramedic – Fire Dept. – The Town of Arlington is seeking a highly motivated individual for a full-time position in the Fire Department. Applicants shall have excellent verbal, written, and listening skills. High School Diploma or equivalent required. Must possess a valid driver’s license in the State of Tennessee with “F” endorsement. Must possess State of Tennessee Firefighter 1. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Tennessee Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic license. Must successfully complete within one (1) year of employment a Firefighter II certification issued by the State of TN Commission on Fire Fighting. Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.