by Amy Schauer, Executive Director of Development
The theme for the 2019 Older Americans Month from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living is Connect, Create, Contribute (find out more at ACL.gov/oam/2019/older-americans-month-2019). At Stonehill Franciscan Services, we are proud to connect, create, and contribute every day as we provide a full continuum of quality lifetime care services in a dignified atmosphere.
Stonehill proudly connects by partnering locally with service providers such as UnityPoint Health-Finley, MercyOne, and Crescent Community Health Center (which has a satellite dental clinic on the Stonehill campus). Stonehill creates new opportunities for older Americans every day by offering a wide variety of life-enriching activities such as daily Mass, art classes, live music, and excursions to local attractions. Stonehill staff and volunteers contribute every day by giving their very best to the residents served on campus through compassion, hospitality, reverence and stewardship, and also through volunteer opportunities in the community. Many of the Stonehill leadership serve on boards such as the Leading Age Iowa Board, Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Board. Stonehill knows through local collaboration our community is stronger.
These connections, creative opportunities, and contributions all on one campus make Stonehill a vibrant community for older Americans to call home. Stonehill’s Assisi Village is different than other independent and assisted living communities. Each apartment has a full kitchen for those residents who still love to cook and also has its own washer and dryer. These apartments are more than “just a room,” they are truly a home. Individuals can choose size options from studios to large two-bedroom deluxe villas. Assisi Village is also the only independent and assisted living facility in Dubuque that currently offers daily Catholic Mass and daily rosary.
Assisi Village Director, Lisa Crawford, often gets asked, “How do I know when the time is right to choose independent living?” Lisa and the staff at Assisi are wonderful about helping families navigate this discussion. She responds, “The best time to move into independent living is when you want to simplify life a bit and spend more time enjoying family and friends. Many residents who move into Assisi Village comment that they wished they had moved sooner because they appreciate weekly housekeeping, delicious meals, maintenance, transportation, and many social opportunities.
Others appreciate living in a place with secured entrances and staff present 24/7 for emergencies. We encourage people to take a tour of Assisi and other independent living facilities when they first start to think about downsizing. Assisi Village often has a waiting list, so it’s beneficial to schedule a tour and ask lots of questions that will help determine which place will meet their needs and get them excited about your next home.”
Stonehill is a great choice for seniors because there is a full continuum all on one convenient campus. Built on over 100 years of tradition for serving the community, Stonehill is uniquely qualified to serve the community and is continually learning and adapting to what seniors really want and need in a service provider. Recently, Stonehill added a dedicated Palliative Care and Hospice Care Dedicated Unit to its campus and is planning to add memory care assisted living and additional general population assisted living apartments in the future. This provides the opportunity to receive the services they need and the ability to change service levels as needed, all in one convenient location.
Someone who starts out in independent living can choose a post-acute rehabilitation stay or outpatient therapy following an injury or surgery, stay active in a wellness center, or can move to a memory care unit if their diagnosis necessitates this… and to long term care when needed. More information on how older Americans can maintain a thriving lifestyle that allows them to connect, create, and contribute while receiving the health and wellness services they need is available at StonehillDBQ.com.
Comment here