Arizona State Veteran Home in Yuma is having its grand opening celebration
13 On Your Side's Vanessa Gongora spoke to veterans that live in the facility about their experience
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS) is celebrating its newest Arizona State Veteran Home in Yuma (ASVH-Yuma) with a grand opening Saturday morning at 10 a.m located at 6051 E. 34th Street.
The public did have to RSVP in order to attend. ASVH-Yuma said they are expecting about 100 people to come and tour the 24-hour skilled nursing facility.
Though the facility has been open since October 2022, the grand opening is happening now because a requirement of a minimum of 20 residents had to be met along with passing the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Recognition Survey, which they passed in April deficiency free.
On Thursday, they also passed the Department of Health Services (DHS) Inspection Survey deficiency free.
Frank Krukoski, a Veteran who served in the Air Force for 21 years said he’s been living in the home since October and it has changed his life.
"Well it couldn't have been better. I came from a deteriorating area where I wasn't taking care of myself. I needed to get into a home, needed to get into some care," said Krukoski. "I wasn't taking care of myself properly and this was a dream come true for taking care of myself and people take care of you here very well."
Krukoski said he takes advantage of the grief services.
"I lost my wife last year," Krukoski mentioned.
He said the activities provided keep him occupied and the shuttle service helps him win big at the Cocopah Casino.
"I went to play slot machines," Krukoski continued. Adding that he took home $800.
David Barrientos, ASVH-Yuma Administrator said there are 80 beds and each Veteran has their own room with a bathroom included.
"All typical services. Long-term care facility obviously nursing, housekeeping, laundry, therapy services for physical, occupational, speech, um activities," listed Barrientos.
Chester Druelinger, 95-yr-old World War II (WWII) Veteran who served in the Navy and Air Force, has been living in the home since May and shared what he enjoys most.
"Just being myself and doing what I want to do when I want to do it and get all the help I need in doing it," said Druelinger.
Druelinger pointed himself out on the wall and gives some insight into his days as a sailor.
"In WWII I joined the Navy in January of 1945, took basic training and went to the South Pacific and I was in the South Pacific in the Seabees," explained Druelinger. "And I was in the South Pacific in the Seabees on the island of Mankayan in the Philippines and when the war ended, that organization went to China and I spent from October 1945 till August 1946 in Qingdao, China."
To be able to stay in the ASVH-Yuma, there are requirements.
"They have to be a Veteran that was honorably discharged. Service connection is not an essential requirement but having a higher service connection disability typically of 70% or more, VA will pay 100% of the stay," said Barrientos. "Any Veteran with less than 70% service connection rating still get some benefits, but partial financial support.
ASVH-Yuma also accepts spouses and gold star family members.
If you would like to learn more about eligibility, services provided and volunteer opportunities, you can visit their website.
