One group is trying to transform long term health care in the North Country. People got their first look at the new Samaritan Summit Village after a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning. YNN's Carmella Mataloni shows us what makes this facility stand out.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y.--A beauty parlor, bistro and gift shop. Just some of the new services being offered by the new assisted living village.

"A project that we've been working on for the better part of two years and it's just so nice to be here today," said Thomas Carman, Samaritan Medical Center President and CEO.

Its home to 100 assisted living beds, 20 enhanced assisted living beds and 168 skilled nursing beds. People will receive the specialized services they need to help them get the most from each day.

"They have designed something that is just state of the art. It is much more home like than you'll ever see in a traditional nursing home or assisted living. This common space that sort of separates the two facilities is just so nice," said Carman.

"The thing that amazed me the most was the architectural design so that no matter where you are, you are not closed in. You can see the view and placement of the buildings. It's just fantastic," said Sandra Fitzgerald, Summit Village Senior Financial Analyst.

One unique quality is that residents can "age in place." People can start in the assisted living program designed for seniors who want independence. As their needs change, residents can receive care from skilled nurses in the comfort of their own room.

"It's very important to be able to have people stay close to home and that's the purpose of this type of facility," said Fitzgerald.

Residents can't move into the new facility just yet. Directors are waiting on some last minute responses from the State Health Department. They do hope to get people moving in within the next three weeks.