Assisted-living facilities restrict access
Nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and other resources throughout Flathead Valley are on partial or complete lockdown in order to safeguard older adults from a potential coronavirus outbreak in the area.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, including heart or lung disease, as some of the most at-risk populations for contracting coronavirus, or COVID-19. The organization defines “older adults” as those 65 years of age or older.
The Flathead County Agency on Aging, which offers a wide range of services and activities for those 60 and older, has temporarily halted in-person services. As of Thursday morning, there were no positive cases in Flathead County, but the agency nevertheless has chosen to take extra precautions and alter how services are provided.
The agency’s dining room is closed; however, Meals on Wheels will continue to operate and if someone is interested in a meal, they should call 406-758-2474. In addition, if older adults need information about Medicare, benefits and similar community services, they may call 406-758-5730. Other area senior centers are closed to the public as well but will continue their Meals on Wheels programs as they are able.
Aside from the Agency on Aging, there are about a dozen nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in the valley. Almost every location has a sign hanging on their front door telling visitors to stop before entering, and are restricting access to essential staff or visitors only.
Most locations consider “essential” to include care-giving teams, doctors, hospice nurses, therapists and the families of those who are actively dying. However, since there is no countywide uniform regulation in place at the moment, it is best to call individual locations to find out who is considered essential and who is not prior to visiting. Most facilities also have current restrictions listed on their websites and social media pages.
Here is a list of facilities in Flathead County that have restricted visitation:
• Lake View Care Center at 1050 Grand Drive in Bigfork, 406-837-5041
• Rising Mountains Assisted Living at 225 Coverdell Road in Bigfork, 406-837-2698
• Timber Creek Village Assisted Living at 375 Meadow Lake Blvd, 406-892-3400
• BeeHive Homes of Columbia Falls at 1660 13th Street West, 406-892-4102
• BeeHive Homes of Kalispell at 242 Stillwater Road, 406-871-8667
• Prestige Assisted Living at 125 Glenwood Drive in Kalispell, 406-756-1818
• Brendan House at 350 Conway Drive in Kalispell, 406-751-6500
• Immanuel Lutheran Communities at 185 Crestline Ave. in Kalispell, 406-752-9612
• Edgewood Kalispell Memory Care at 141 Interstate Lane in Kalispell, 406-203-1129
• The Springs at Whitefish at 1001 River Lakes Pkwy in Whitefish, 406-862-6322