What happens when an older relative needs more and more help around the home and more care than what family members can provide?
Assisted living might be a good alternative.
Evening's Porch Assisted Living Facility opened in Bayfield a year ago and has had six residents living there this year.
There are 11 private rooms for singles or couples, with room for up to 16 residents.
Assisted living isn't a nursing home, and there is no medical staff. There are trained staffers on the premises 24 hours a day, and they can dispense medicines, provide help with bathing, and get residents to medical appointments. Other services include three meals a day, laundry, outings to museums and movies, and activites in the home, which is located on U.S. Highway 160 and was rebuilt from the ground up in 2014.
A lot of what assisted living provides is a community and constant contact for residents who need it, and privacy for those who want that, as well, said the facility's director, Erin Youngblood.
She said one resident arrived recently using a wheelchair, but after eating regularly, taking his medication and exercising, he's now walking without assistance.
"If you become weak and isolated, sometimes there is a fear of falls," Youngblood explained, then people can get more isolated. Staff will take residents for walks every day, and physical therapy and home health visits are available.
"There's a sense of community and friendships," she said. "If your quality of life goes up, you can enjoy your time with hobbies or your family."
She urges family members of elders to consider outside care before it becomes a crisis. After a fall and broken hip, for example, a senior might require rehabilitation and can't go home as soon as he or she wants.
"With pre-planning, sometimes you're able to avoid that crisis," she said.
The facility also offers respite care for family members who need a break after caring for a loved one, or someone can move in for a month or two while relatives are on vacation.
The facility also strives to be a part of the local community.
Evening's Porch, which is owned by Bayfield resident Lee McCutcheon, has particated in Bayfield Heritage Days, the Journey of Hope 5K, and the Alzheimer's Walk. Most of the staff lives in or near Bayfield, and the center uses local services and restaurants. There are raised vegetable beds that provide fresh produce and a place for residents to garden if they wish to.
McCutcheon, the owner, was recently involved in a car accident and couldn't put weight on his leg, so he stayed at Evening's Porch after he left the hospital.
There also are holistic therapies available, including chair yoga, massage and colon therapy. A new massage chair was just purchased, as well.
Evening's Porch is partnering with the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District and Comfort Keepers, a home healthcare service, to provide home vists and community education to help prevent falls. About 13 percent of calls to Upper Pine involve falls by seniors, according to fire district staff.
In honor of the anniversary, Evening's Porch is offering specials to new clients in September. The facility is located at 42811 Highway 160, just east of Bayfield. Evening's Porch is open anytime for visits from prospective residents, or folks can call ahead if they would like to join residents and staff for lunch.
