It’s no secret people in Geauga County are living longer, healthier lives, and able to be part of their communities for decades past what earlier generations expected.
It’s no secret people in Geauga County are living longer, healthier lives, and able to be part of their communities for decades past what earlier generations expected.
As area retirees age and realize a house and 5 acres is a lot to maintain, finding an affordable senior home and remaining within driving distance of friends and family is still a challenge.
Some large, modern senior living facilities have opened in the area and more are planned, but smaller, less expensive options are available.
Geauga Assisted Living, 16065 G.A.R. Highway in Montville Township, which has been providing care for older residents for several decades, changed hands three years ago.
Stephen and Lynn Szoka and their daughter, Emily Davis, feel they have brought new life to the facility since purchasing it three years ago.
Lynn Szoka, a nurse at Hillside Hospital, specializes in gerontology and is not on the staff at GAL. Davis, who has a degree in social science, is an assistant manager as is Teresa Moncada, who was at GAL when it was bought.
“We asked her to stay on,” Lynn said, adding Moncada had experience in the operation of the home, including how to prepare for and deal with the inspections.
Stephen takes care of the financial end of the business and some of the outside work, Lynn said. The five full-time employees see to the care of the residents around the clock, prepare home-cooked meals and provide activities such as Bingo, bowling, music, movie nights, game nights and ice cream socials.
While larger, higher-end facilities may have beauty parlors and espresso bars, the Szokas and Davis went for a family-style atmosphere at GAL.
“This place is more home-like. I’m seeing George all day,” Lynn said, referring to George Reid, 85, who reported the food at GAL is excellent, the people are nice and the home is clean.
“I lived in Montville all my life,” he said, adding when it was time to find a senior living facility, he knew about the Szokas’ facility.
“It’s a pleasant place to be,” he said.
When they bought the place, the Szokas invested in new heating and cooling, new floors and new appliances. During the growing season, the house is surrounded by flowers for decoration and vegetables for the dinner table.
Lynn said GAL is licensed for 16 beds, but they are happy with seven or eight residents, with some in semi-private rooms, some in small private rooms and some in larger rooms, primarily on the first floor.
Residents pay between $1,700 and $3,200 a month, including cable and Internet access, with all living expenses covered except clothes and medication, she said.
Moncada said her research shows the next level of assisted living in this area is $4,000 a month.
She projected an increased need for the smaller, less expensive facilities if the Medicaid program is changed, as proposed.
“There are 10,000 people turning 65 every day in this country,” Lynn said.
The demographics support the operation, but she doesn’t take credit for the concept. “This was the idea of my daughter and my husband,” Lynn said.
Davis said she has 10 years of experience with assisted living facilities and always felt there could be better, more home-like facilities.
“When I worked at a nursing home, I had 15 to 20 patients. I’d only get to see them once a day,” she said, adding that experience led her to suggest the family get into the business to provide a family-like assisted living facility.
“It was always a dream of mine,” she said.
Nearly three years ago, Stephen found and purchased what is now Geauga Assisted Living and Davis’ dream took root.
After nearly three years, Lynn has come to the conclusion it is a good deal.
“It grew on me,” she said.
For more information, go to the GAL webpage geaugaassistedliving.com.
