Elderly veterans in Arizona will have two new 80-bed facilities to care for them beginning June 2021.

Responding to criticisms that veterans in less populous parts of the state have to travel far for care, the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services will start construction Saturday on a new facility in Flagstaff.

Nicole Baker, public information officer for the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, said care will be provided 24/7 and in a home-like environment.

“The staff will perform geriatric care, respiratory therapy and rehabilitative work. There will be exercises classes, and pretty much all of the therapies you can think of: physical, occupational, speech therapy.”

She added, the facilities will make it easier on families as well.

“There’s a large percentage of our veterans who are over 65 in those areas, and so now we’re able to serve them where they’re at which also helps their families so they don’t have to travel to the homes in Phoenix or Tucson in order for their veteran to have that extra care.”

Construction for a similar facility in Yuma will begin June 22.