LANSING — Rolling Hills Rehabilitation and Care Center — formerly known as Heartland Lansing Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center — is slated host an open house from noon to 3 p.m. May 20 to celebrate the changes.

On Dec. 30, Heartland Lansing was purchased by Rolling Hills’ parent company and is currently being operated by Garden Healthcare Group LLC; a family run business based out of New York. The family has been operating skilled nursing and long term care facilities for three generations and have a longstanding reputation for providing the highest quality of care with commitment to excellence.

The family tradition started more than 70 years ago, when (current owner) Barry Braunstein’s father emigrated to the United States at the young age of 26 in 1946. Mr. Braunstein arrived to shores of America, after losing almost his entire family and suffering unthinkable hardships at the hands of the Nazis during WWII.

Back in Europe, the Braunstein family had a long history of caring for the elderly and poor, and his maternal grandmother would personally cook and provide for the poor in their hometown of Sevlush; his dream was rebuild his life and to continue that tradition.

After a couple of years of working odd jobs, Barry’s father found a position as the manager of Ollinville Nursing home in Bronx, NY. Mr. Braunstein managed the home and Mrs. Braunstein ran the kitchen; she personally prepared and served many of the resident’s meals herself. Mr. Braunstein worked at Ollinville for more than 20 years, until 1972 when he replaced the facility with a new modern nursing facility, Laconia Nursing Home in the Bronx. Many of the residents from Ollinville requested they move to Laconia.

As a child, the nursing home was a central part of Barry’s life. Both his parents spent their days in first Ollinville and then later Laconia, where Barry would often spend afternoons after school at the home spending time with the residents and assisting with social services. From an early age, he knew that this would be his career.

Barry started his own nursing home career as an assistant administrator at Laconia in 1981. His father trained him and constantly stressed that values and tradition were just as important as running an efficient business. Barry never lost sight of where he came from, he embraced the responsibility of employing a staff and caring for the elderly and infirm.

His father was known for efficiency. He was extremely generous and not afraid to spend; but he hated waste. He treated every staff member with respect but insisted on utmost loyalty and performance. His commitment to quality care was uncompromised. These traditions remain constant in the facilities operated by Barry and his children.

The Braunstein family are excited about bringing their values and tradition to Rolling Hills. They are looking forward to the opportunity to provide our community with the highest quality care in skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.