July 17, 2017 at 4:28 p.m.
Senior day care center opens in Rhinelander
Senior day care center opens in Rhinelander
By Kayla Thomason-
Sisters Donna Braeger and Judy Hill decided to open the center after tending to their mother before her death. They said they were inspired by a desire to offer a place for local seniors to interact while their caregivers or family are working or running errands.
"We were elated to do that (take care of mom), we're both caregivers by nature so we were elated to do that and this is kind of an extension offering it to the community now," Braeger said.
Braeger has been a home health care provider through Nicolet staffing for the past 3 1/2 years while Hill worked as a cook in a nursing home in Minnesota for 23 years.
"I have always been a caregiver so it's an easy transition," Braeger said, adding that a friend helped coax them into putting their passion to work.
"We had a dear friend that suggested that we put our talents together and open our own business," Hill said.
"We feel that this is something that is very needed by the community," Braeger added, noting she drove by the Stevens Street location several times before asking the landlord if it would be possible to take a look. As it turned out, the site is perfect for the center the sisters envision.
Both sisters are excited to open Home Away from Home Loving Care in Rhinelander.
"I haven't stopped smiling since yesterday (Thursday, July 6) when the state lady came in and said 'You're certified,'" Hill said.
They are licensed for 25 people, and the day care center is similar to those geared toward children.
They will offer continental breakfast, morning and afternoon snack, and lunch will be provided.
Activities will include a 20-minute morning exercise to the best of the individual's abilities, movie days, bingo, crafts, puzzles, reading, laptop work, board games, cards and more.
"We want to provide a safe environment for these people that they can come to, and exercise their minds, exercise their bodies, if they are here for the exercise program, and go home at the end of the day feeling like their life is important, because a lot of people who are looking at four walls may not be feeling that and we want them to feel important," Braeger said. "Basically what we are trying to accomplish here is just for those people who would normally be stuck in a home with four walls around them, we are trying to provide an atmosphere where they can get out and socialize and keep their mind active."
During holidays clients can look forward to themed events.
"The whole theme of this day care center is that we want people to feel at home and feel welcomed and that their life matters and that they're loved and that's the whole idea of the name of the day care, the type of people we have working and hopefully the clients will feel that when they come through the door," Hill added.
When winter comes, if schools close due to weather the center will close as well.
"We decided if you're not going to put your child on a school bus because of bad weather why would you put your senior out there," Braeger explained.
If a client needs medications the staff will distribute them as directed by the doctor and all disbursements will be meticulously documented. All medication will be locked up.
"If there are loved ones at home and people have to go to work and they are worried about whether or not grandma and grandpa are taking their blood pressure medicine on time we can provide that and we will be documenting everything," Braeger said.
The sisters will have five employees to start with and the center will be affiliated with Community Link and Lakeland Care, which means they will also be accepting payments from them as well as private pay.
They provide half-day or full-day service. Costs are $70 for a full day and $48 for a half day which they consider to be four hours or less.
The center will be open Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but drop-off is available at 7:30, as they know many people have to be at work by 8 a.m.
For more information, call (715) 420-2220 or email [email protected].
A website is also under construction.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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