New 138-Bed Bailey Creek Nursing Facility Breaks Ground in Texarkana With Private Rooms, Dementia Unit

Texarkana, AR — Bailey Creek Health & Rehabilitation has begun construction on a modern skilled nursing facility in Texarkana, a project that will replace its aging site and add private rooms, expanded therapy space, and a dedicated dementia care neighborhood, according to the company.

The 71,800-square-foot building will rise at 5111 Jefferson Avenue, just off I-30 East. Plans call for 138 beds — including 88 private rooms with en-suite showers and 25 semi-private rooms — along with two interior courtyards, a large communal dining room, and a 2,000-square-foot therapy gym connected to an outdoor therapy track.

Replacing a 1970s-era facility

The new center will replace Bailey Creek’s current location at 1621 East 42nd Street, a 115-bed facility built in 1973. Leaders said the project is designed to meet today’s care standards, emphasizing privacy, infection control, and access to rehabilitation services. The existing building will remain open during construction, and residents will transition once the new site is ready. An official completion timeline was not announced.

Along with short-term rehabilitation, the facility will provide long-term skilled nursing care and specialized services including physical, speech, and occupational therapy. A 22-bed dementia care neighborhood is planned to offer a secure, structured environment for residents with cognitive impairment, a growing need in the region.

Focus on privacy, recovery, and quality of life

Private rooms with individual showers remain relatively uncommon in older nursing homes. Bailey Creek’s plan to make most rooms private underscores a broader post-pandemic shift toward design features that support dignity, reduce infection risk, and improve recovery, industry observers say. The expanded therapy gym and outdoor track are intended to boost mobility, balance training, and patient engagement following hospital stays.

Administrators said the new layout will also help residents and families feel more connected, with larger communal spaces and secure courtyards that offer fresh air and safe outdoor activity. Renderings show a bright, two-story structure with modern systems and accessibility features aligned with current life safety and health standards.

Local impact and industry context

Texarkana’s older-adult population has grown in recent years, putting pressure on long-term care capacity. The additional beds and enhanced rehabilitation services are expected to keep more patients close to home after a hospital stay and reduce lengthy waitlists that families often face, according to local feedback.

The project arrives amid a nationwide push to modernize long-term care, as many facilities built decades ago grapple with outdated layouts and staffing challenges. New builds typically incorporate private-room models, larger therapy spaces, and dementia-friendly design to meet evolving federal standards and resident expectations. While Bailey Creek did not disclose a construction budget, industry estimates for similar projects suggest significant private investment.

What’s next

Officials said current operations will continue at the East 42nd Street site during construction, with a transition plan to be shared with residents and families closer to opening. The company described the project as a long-planned upgrade aimed at strengthening post-acute and long-term care options in the bi-state Texarkana area.

Community response has been largely positive, with families welcoming the added privacy and the dedicated dementia unit. As construction ramps up, the move signals a notable investment in local health infrastructure at a time when many operators are weighing upgrades to keep pace with care standards and demand.