By Jolene Farley
Senior citizens in Rock County may soon have more options when they reach the point they can no longer be independent and care for themselves.
Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center hosted three focus meetings at The Oaks last Thursday, intended to collect input from the community to determine if there is a senior housing need in the area.
The meetings were led by Linda Studer, Mary Jane Brown Home administrator, Rhona Snyder, The Oaks housing manager, and Brenda Plimpton, MJB community relations coordinator.
Senior groups discussed what current residents like about The Oaks and what they would change if more units, either congregate or assisted living, were built.
In general current tenants seem pleased with the facility, but many expressed a wish that the "hominess" of the facility not be sacrificed.
Staff sees a lot of the residents "aging in place" or not wanting to move, and if other care services could be offered residents wouldnÕt have to move.
This provides incentive for units to be designed as versatile as possible, with the ability to switch from congregate to assisted or vice versa if the need was higher in the other area.
Snyder stressed the popularity of the two-bedroom units at The Oaks. It was mentioned that assisted living units would need to be large because people needing more care generally need more medical devices.
The next step for Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center is completing a market study in Rock County.
If results of the study favor construction, a plan will be submitted to the committee for review.
"Good Samaritan doesn't add facilities unless there is a need in the community," said Plimpton.
Caregivers hope to add both congregate units and assisted living units in Rock County in the near future.
Congregate living facilities like The Oaks are designed for seniors over the age of 62, and while guidelines vary from facility to facility, they usually offer 24-hour emergency call service, provide at least one meal per day, and offer weekly housekeeping and linen services. Units generally have full cooking facilities and offer laundry facilities for those able to do laundry themselves.
Assisted living facilities offer a higher level of care. Designed for seniors over 62 years, units can be full apartments or suites without cooking facilities. Staff is on duty 24 hours to assist with basic personal care and to administer medication or remind patients to take their medication. Three meals per day are offered along with light housekeeping, linen service and laundry service.
Home Health Care services are allowing more seniors to remain in their homes longer. Rock County Home Health, Windom Home Health, Luverne Community Hospital and Hospice are currently the only home health care providers in Rock County, according to Studer.
Nursing homes have become the end-of-life housing option. Rock County nursing homes include Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center and the Minnesota Veterans Nursing Home in Luverne and Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.
The only congregate facility open in Rock County is The Oaks which is operated by the Good Samaritan Society. Tuff Assisted Living Apartments in Hills are tentatively slated to open in July.
Open since December 1999, The Oaks congregate facility currently has 38 people on its waiting list, with all of its 10 2-bedroom and 10 1-bedroom deluxe and eight 1-bedroom apartments full, according to Snyder.
Paving the way in assisted living in Rock County is Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Groundbreaking ceremonies were Sept. 13, 2000, for the Tuff Assisted Living Apartments. These units are located across the road east of the Tuff Home.
Construction has continued throughout the winter on eight one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments.
"Interest has exceeded our expectations," said Bonnie Hengeveld, assistant administrator and manager of Tuff Assisted Living Apartments. "Our board is reviewing completing seven more apartments."
The original floor plan left space in the lower level of the building for expansion in the future, but with 39 on a waiting list Hengeveld thinks more units could be used now.
"It is really important we work together as a county to meet senior needs," said Hengeveld. "After all, they are the ones who got us where we are."
One thing is certain: The opening of new facilities will mean more choices for elderly Rock County residents as they live longer, more independent lives.