By Michael Schaffer, The Oskaloosa Herald, Iowa
Jun. 16–OSKALOOSA — The most common words uttered Saturday afternoon by people touring the Oskaloosa Care Center at 605 Highway 432 was “awesome,””wow,””beautiful,””fantastic.”
And rightfully so, as the center open house gave visitors an up close look at all the facilities — from the Alzheimer’s wing to living quarters to the physical therapy room.
“We’re very unique because we have two Alzheimer’s pods,” Oskaloosa Care Center owner and member of the board of directors Ron Reitmeier said. “We can take care of 20 Alzheimer’s people at a time. And it’s very separate and it doesn’t co-mingle with everyone else.”
The pods offer several skylights, lighted memory cases at each bedroom door, several tables with chairs, an entertainment area with television, a large shower and bathing area with a whirlpool and access to an outdoor exercise area.
Reitmeier said after three years, it felt good to be finally open.
“After three years it seems like a long road but its all been worthwhile,” Reitmeier said. “The people of Oskaloosa have just been wonderful. We’ve gotten all kinds of cooperation.”
The 69-bed center has been accepting patients since May 19, said Oskaloosa Care Center Administrator Tina Steffen, whose job it is to oversee daily operations.
“I’ll tell you what, I could not have got any better education from any college than what I got with the experience that they gave me,” Steffen said. “Starting from the ground up, getting a building ready to go, was a knowledge that I’ll never ever get again. It was a wonderful opportunity.”
Once the center is operating at full capacity, they could employ up to 75 full- and/or part-time employees. The center will hire more employees as more patients are admitted.
“We’ve got enough employees to take care of up to 30,” Steffen said. “And then we’ll take on more employees again.”
Reitmeier said the center was in the process of applying for Medicare, which should be granted shortly. The center is licensed to take care of Alzheimer’s patients.
“And last week we had the state survey and we received a deficiency free and so now we can accept not only private pay but Title XIX, which we could not accept before,” Reitmeier said.
The center offers long-term care but Steffen said they offer short-term rehabilitative care with the goal of getting the patient going back home as soon as possible.
“Yes, we’re long-term care for those who are unfortunate and unable to get back home,” she said. “But we are able to rehab and get them back home, and that’s our goal. I mean, we want everyone to be able to live in their own home. But in the event they cannot, we’re here for them. And that’s our job.”
Herald City Editor Michael Schaffer can be reached by email at [email protected]
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