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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 27, 2019)
6 Partners in Health & Wellbeing // The Nugget Newspaper // March 27, 2019 The Lodge in Sisters opens for residents By Jim Cornelius editor in chief It’s a project years in the mak- ing. It created dozens of construc- tion jobs in one of the largest proj- ects in Sisters history. Now, despite a two-week delay due to a massive snowstorm, the first residents have moved into The Lodge in Sisters. They are moving into a facility designed to have the amenities of a larger senior community, but with the community feel of having 62 residences, all on one level. The res- idences range from 425-square-foot studio apartments to 625-square- foot one-bedroom apartments (the most popular option thus far) and two-bedroom apartments of 909 square feet. All units have fully accessible bathrooms off each bedroom. The one- and two-bedroom units have spacious walk-in bedroom closets. Each unit has an interior entrance from the hall and an external door to a small concrete patio. Scott Nay, the executive director of The Lodge, notes that a guiding principle for The Lodge is that resi- dents have a wide range of choices and options in the level of assis- tance they receive and how care is delivered. The level of care ranges from fully independent living to assisted living. Memory care is not part of the service; The Lodge staff will assist a family in finding appro- priate placement if that need devel- ops. Temporary short-term respite stays are possible if a caregiver at home needs a break or help is needed before returning home after hospitalization. An interdisciplinary health team works with residents and families to determine what care and service is appropriate. Levels of support can be stepped up over time as needed or desired by the family. The Lodge is happy to partner with outside entities to provide services. “If they want in-home care “It’s like a restaurant,” Nay said. “Anytime dining.” The menu, too, is flexible. While there are certain specials available at certain times, regular dining really is “anytime.” “They can order breakfast at dinner off that anytime menu,” Nay said. “It allows a lot more flexibility.” Early risers and night owls alike can eat what they want, when they want. And, Nay notes, s, “They can have a guest come e in and have a meal. I encour- cour- age them to do that, because it’s really good for them.” And, if they pre- fer, residents can order a meal and enjoy it in their apartment. The Lodge is intended to be welcom- elcom- ing, and much attention has been paid to aesthetics. esthetics. Local glass artist tist Susie Zeitner has handcrafted 138 lighting fix- tures for The Lodge including indi- vidual sconces beside each resi- dent’s hall door and four-foot diam- eter glass chandeliers for the com- mon areas. Wildlife and landscape art adorns the walls t h r o u g hout. It’s resident-choice. That’s where One area was purpose-built we’re at. We offer resources for them, for rotating but they get to choose what they want. art displays, which the — Scott Nay Sisters Arts Association will help brought in, they can do that,” Nay coordinate. Local schools will said. participate. Physical therapists from local “I’m sure we will be doing some providers will come in and work art shows here,” Nay said. with patients at The Lodge. He also indicated that there will “It’s resident-choice,” Nay said. be music on hand. “That’s where we’re at. We offer Weekly housekeeping and laun- resources for them, but they get to dry for linen/towels is available — choose what they want.” but again, resident choice and inde- Choice extends to dining and pendence are at the forefront. activities, too. The dining facility “Residents have the ability to do seats 96 people. There are no fixed their own laundry,” Nay said. “meal times” here. Scheduled transportation, photo by jerry baldock utilities including internet and basic cable, social events, activi- ties, classes and excursions, and fitness center and group classes are all available. Two activity rooms allow ample space for arts and crafts activities and one boasts a full kitchen that can accommodate cooking classes. A theater/meeting room offers a large screen and comfortable chairs. photo by jerry baldock Hand crafted light fixtures by local glass artist Susie Zeitner. That room, which can accommo- date church services, has a capacity of 132, and will also be available to the community. “We have a full-service beauty shop/salon,” Nay pointed out. Sisters stylist Suzie Johnson will operate the salon by appointment. The grounds feature landscaped courtyards, walking paths, and out- door seating areas for strolling and relaxing outdoors — and enjoying an impressive view of the Three Sisters. Safety and security have been designed into the facility. Nay points out that the building has four fire zones with fire doors blocking off the ones from each other, so that if an incident occurs in one wing, entire facility does not have to the entir evacuated at once. Residents can be evacu simply be moved to a safe zone. Nay acknowledged that the Na external doors on apartments exter may s seem a bit unusual for such facility, but the access adds a fa to the sense of independent living. The need for a sub- stantial independent-to- assisted-living space has been felt acutely in Sisters for years, as the population and wishes to stay here, and ages a families bring parents to live in as fami Sisters C Country. Demand is likely to Lodge quickly. fill The L that case, there is space on In th the east side of the five-acre parcel to add a one- or two-story structure that could provide 20 or 40 more residences. “There’s places to expand once we hit 100 percent capacity,” Nay said. “If we fill up, they’re ready to start building that second place.” For more information on The Lodge in Sisters visit https:// www.thelodgeinsisters.com or call 541-904-0545. photo by jerry baldock