Summit House to expand care
By Mary Loden, Of the News-Tribune
Plans moving forward to become assisted living facility
The Summit House in Britt is moving toward becoming a state-certified assisted living center with plans to have that process complete by summer 2009
“This has been my dream since I walked in the door four years ago,” said Summit House administrator Maureen Ahern-Oppy. “I think we'll have our certification by early summer. I was hoping by spring, but we're moving a little slower than I thought.”
Acting on requests from their residents (clients), their families and the community at large for nursing services in the building, a contract with Girling Home Health Services out of Algona became effective Sept.1, 2008.
At that time Ahern-Oppy said the corporate office wanted Summit House to stay an independent living, or retirement community, but they were fine with having home health providers on-site.
However, “when clients use outside services such as home health care there is a lack of continuity in care,” Ahern-Oppy explained, saying that medical privacy laws allow for no sharing of information.
“We need to provide complete services so we know the entire needs of an individual and the best way to provide that is with our own health care services,” she said.
When asked where the corporate office stood on the assisted living issue Ahern-Oppy replied, “changes, changes, changes. A change in philosophy. We need to move forward and it is best if we have our own health care services on site.”
“This will be both an independent and assisted living community,” she said. “Each individual will go through an assessment to determine if (they require) independent or assisted (living) depending on personal care or health related services needed.”
“I've been pushing for years,” Ahern-Oppy said about assisted living. “And it will be good for Summit House to have that revenue they're (the clients) paying out for outside services.”
Summit House is more than senior housing. “We want seniors to think of Summit House as their senior center,” said Summit House administrator Maureen Ahern-Oppy. “We want to keep events in front of them. This is an outreach with our senior population.”
The Summit House has always offered activities that are open to the public with theme days every month.
Since January is both Pizza and Blueberry Pancake month Summit House will be serving pizza and pop from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, and a blueberry pancake supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19.
A 500 Card Club, with prizes, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.
Story created Jan 13, 2009 - 12:54:02 CST.
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