- April 25, 2024
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Debra and Nicole Rhodes at Hospitality House, a new assisted living facility. Photo Jacque Estes
One of the two, semi-private rooms at Hospitality House. Photo Jacque Estes
Debra Rhodes enjoys a cup of coffee in one of the two, living rooms in the house. Photo Jacque Estes
Nicole Rhodes, adjusts a pillow on one of the fully furnished private rooms. Photo Jacque Estes
From the outside, 117 Red Mill Dr. is like any other home on the street. The home is well-cared for, the lawn is maintained. Inside, the airy home is beautifully decorated. The difference is – the home at 117 is an assisted living facility that will be home to six mature adults who may find living on their own a bit challenging.
Debra and Nicole Rhodes, the mother and daughter team who realized their dream of having just such a facility, will have an open house from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9.
“We want people to bring their family member, or friend with them, and tour the house,” Debra Rhodes said. “Our goal is for people to come in and feel like they are at home."
Private assisted living homes like Hospitality House cater to a “family-size” group. The house on Red Mill Dr. has room for six, with two private rooms and two semi-private rooms.
Residents need to be evaluated by their physician who will determine if assisted living is an appropriate choice. There is application process, at which time the Rhodes will sit down and discuss the needs with the resident and their family.
Typically assisted living facilities are for those who are still active but require some assistance with their daily activities, whether it is cooking, proper administration of medications, or mobility.
“We are dually licensed; some are not,” Debra Rhodes said. “We have our standard licensing, and limited nursing services; Nicole is a nurse.”
Having the limited nursing option allows residents who normally would have to go to a rehabilitation facility to be able to stay at this home longer. Hospitality House will open with two nurses on their staff.
The Agency for Healthcare oversees private ALFs just as any of the larger assisted living facilities. They have to meet the same standards.
The home has two living room areas, a craft closet full of supplies and a kitchen, where the staff prepares meals, and snacks are available when the residents want them.
Part of licensing requires ALFs to provide a certain number of scheduled activities per week. While the Rhodes have ideas, they want the activities to be resident driven, things they enjoy doing.
The Rhodes completely renovated and redecorated the home that they had previously rented out. Fire alarms are throughout, and security cameras are in public areas for the resident’s safety and their families’ peace of mind.
Their contractor, who was a firefighter, knew exactly what to recommend in renovating the home to allow emergency personnel, quick and easy access to all of the rooms in the event of a medical emergency.
While personal pets are not allowed, the house dog, Milo, a senior shih tzu mix, already has a bed in a corner of one of the living rooms.
ALFs are private pay, meaning that not all have Medicaid beds available. Cost is determined on a case by case basis and include all of the services, including meals.
