It is no secret America’s population is aging.
It is no secret America’s population is aging.
According to ruralhealth.org, by 2030, one in five U.S. citizens will be over the age of 65. The U.S. Census reports Ohio ranked 17th in the nation in 2018 with 17.1% of its population as 65 or older, a number that grew by 7.6% within the last decade.
How do counties like Geauga prepare for aging citizens?
One local business has made it their business to be prepared. Ohman Family Living at Blossom has recently received a variance in Huntsburg Township to build an addition to their 26-acre facility on Princeton Road, said Admissions Director Nancy Ohman Milner.
The Ohman family said they are scheduled to break ground this fall. The new 15,500-square-foot addition will be built to accommodate assisted living and memory care residents. Between 20 to 30 new employees will be needed to staff this new two-story facility. The new addition, built to the west of their current building, will accommodate 20 assisted living residents and 25 memory care residents who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Construction is expected to be completed within approximately 18 months, according to the Ohman family’s plan.
Ohman Family Living at Blossom is presently a 76-bed skilled nursing facility, Milner said. Only five beds are devoted to assisted living. Current residents are non-ambulatory, whereas the new facility will offer service to those residents who are fully functioning and just need reminders, coaching and services day-to-day.
“There is a great need for (Alzheimer care) and families try to keep them at home as long as they can, but it becomes a safety issue,” Milner said. “Activity can be implemented to improve cognition function and we can provide more opportunities during their day.”
A goal plan is developed between the hospital, doctor, family, caregiver and sometimes the residents themselves.
“The time is right when living at home is not working anymore,” Milner said.
Milner suggested a good place to start the process is either with the doctor, Geauga County Department on Aging or a hospital referral. Families will most often choose a center close to home to make visitations easier. The Federal Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers a star rating to all nursing facilities and this can be a consideration in choosing a facility.
Milner said independent living, assisted living and memory care services are all generally private pay. Rehab and skilled nursing care are generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid or managed care programs. Admissions directors can help navigate through the maze of care and payment options.
“Infection control is at the heart of everything we do,” Milner said regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Blossom has not had any cases at their facility and they take daily precaution to follow Gov. Mike DeWine’s and the CDC’s mandates. Their staff is tested every other week to make sure all remain healthy, she said.
The Ohman family began their mission to help those in need back in 1966 with nine residents at their home on “Holly Hill.” The Holly facility was then moved to Fairmount Road east of Sperry Road where it sits today. Blossom was purchased in 1976. Briar in Middlefield just completed an addition for post-acute care, as well. All of their facilities are now run by second and third generation family members, Milner said.
