By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
With the Dowagiac creek as a backdrop, 20 bright and clean rooms await new residents at the Forest Glen Assisted Living community at 29601 Amerihost Drive.
A ribbon-cutting and open house introduced the facility to the community Thursday afternoon, with Mayor Don Lyons and City Manager Bill Nelson joining in the festivities.
In two weeks, new residents will be able to move in.
A family atmosphere and homelike environment is emphasized at Forest Glen for those choosing the one -bedroom or studio suites, with private baths and air conditioning.
Some rooms have bay windows, others sliding walkouts.
Rooms are also available for couples and small pets are welcome.
Rooms can be decorated with the resident's own furniture or furnished. Some have a microwave and small refrigerator built-in.
With facilities such as a beauty shop, therapeutic whirlpool and library right at hand, residents don't have to negotiate difficult weather conditions.
Personal laundry and linen service, housekeeping and all utilities and cable are also included, except for private telephones.
As community members will vary in their personal needs, the level of assistance is also adjusted, such as help with medication or bathing.
Health care needs are monitored and healthy living is encouraged with three nutritious meals and snacks included, prepared in the state-of-the-art kitchen.
Community outings, entertainment and having school groups visit will give enrichment to the residents' lives.
The new administrator, Rebecca (Till) Fear, an R.N. for 10 years, is excited to continue her passion, caring for older adults, in her own hometown.
Fear is a 1987 graduate of Niles. Her husband Troy graduated in 1986 and is a taxidermist.
Their two children go to McKinley School in Dowagiac. Kailey, 5, is in kindergarten and Seth, 8 is in third grade.
"I got my associate at Southwestern Michigan College," said Fear. She graduated with a nursing degree from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. in 2005.
"This is made for me, to give back to seniors in my own community," she said.
"She has the heart for it," added Neil Kraay, executive vice president of business development for Leisure Living Management.
The new Dowagiac community, which is expected to employee 10 to 15, is operated by Leisure Living Management, which has 14 other communities in Michigan and has been in operation since 1995.
The company was one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in 2006, in West Michigan.
Kraay's partner, Thomas J. Nobel, President and CEO, before 1995, was the Executive Vice President of Hospice of Michigan (1994-1995), and Executive Director and CFO of Hospice of Western Michigan from 1990 until 1994. A CPA, Nobel spent 20 years with the accounting firm of Ernst &Young, including eight years as a partner.
Kraay has been part of the management team at Leisure Living since 1998. Prior to Leisure Living, he spent 17 years at Amway Corporation engaged in international business development.
A second phase is expected to be built adjacent to the present building. The community will dictate where it will also be for assisted living, independent living or possibly a more secure facility for those with Alzheimers. The present kitchen is capable of serving the needs of 60 residents, Kraay said.