New facility specializes in memory care

The number of Montana’s aging residents exceeds national projections — and Flathead County surpasses the state. Last week, Immanuel Lutheran Communities opened its door to an assisted-living memory-support facility called The Lodge — its latest effort to help fill a hole in services for seniors.

“We’re responding to our community’s needs to have a comfortable place to have our seniors to live,” Immanuel Lutheran Chief Executive Officer Jason Cronk said.

In an alcove off the new facility’s hall sits a vanity. On it lies a vintage hairbrush and hand-held mirror next to a jewelry box with necklaces spilling out of its drawers. Down the hall, brass band tunes from the 1940s play from a glowing jukebox.

“We call them reminiscent corners,” said Carla Wilton, executive director of Buffalo Hill Terrace. “They’re stations to remind our residents of their past.”

The Lodge at Buffalo Hill is designed to serve 24 residents with dementia. It’s the latest phase in a series of expansions and additions at the Buffalo Hill complex.

Cronk said the efforts began roughly four years ago and so far have totaled $53 million.

The first step of the project included the renovation of 32 skilled-nursing beds connected to the nonprofit corporation’s short-term rehabilitation center called The Retreat. It also included a new therapy gym, kitchen and dining room.

The addition of The Lodge wrapped up this month and included the opening of the Wooden Nickel Coffee Bar and Lounge and an expansion of The Claremont at Buffalo Hill Terrace.

Outside the lodge, construction workers continue to shape the next project on the list — a three-story apartment building for senior independent living. The complex will include 36 apartments and sit over a covered parking area. The building is expected to open in the fall of 2018.

The next project in line is a new wing of the community’s nursing home. Cronk said the Immanuel Lutheran home opened 60 years ago.”It’s time to update the building,” he added.

“We’ve really started to realize how the landscape of health care is changing,” Cronk said. “We want to meet our seniors’ needs, no matter which level of care they need.”

AS WILTON gave a tour of the Lodge last week, she pointed out the subtle details in the building and program included to create stability for someone with dementia.

She said staff, from cooks to housekeeping, will be certified to interact and work among people with dementia. The center will have 14 certified nursing assistants and one full-time recreation manager.

The residents’ individual suites are small and simple. Wilton said the program intends for residents to spend 15 percent of their time in their rooms.

A horseshoe path leads from one end of the center to the next, surrounding the home’s service and acting as an indoor walking path for guests. Along the path are quiet spaces, an arts-and-crafts room, and salon set up for a professional hairdresser.

At the center of the facility is an outdoor garden. A classic mailbox stands outside, which Wilton said staff will fill each day for residents to collect their mail. Garden boxes designed for residents to plant vegetables are scattered throughout the space.

Cronk said plans for the final project — updating the final wing of the nursing home — is still in the works.

“It’s a changing landscape and we want to make sure what we’re doing is going to meet a need,” he said. “Whether it’s long-term care, it’s hospice, whether it’s a new memory care.”

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.