Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

September 1, 2010, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Ribbon-cutting held for new assisted living facility

By Peter Spicer

Area residents lined the halls of Sunset Gardens, Memorial Medical Center’s (MMC) new assisted living facility in Neillsville, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, to view a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new facility.

Those attending toured the new facility, which features 11 single rooms and two double rooms and is attached to the MMC Hospital.

Sunset Gardens Assisted Living is a special combination of housing, personalized support services and health care designed to meet each resident’s individual needs and promote their independence. Residents also have easy access to the hospital, clinic, emergency department and therapeutic services.

Residents will have access to on-site physicians and nurses 24 hours per day and assistance with activities of daily living.  The new assisted living facility will also feature recreational activities, housekeeping, laundry and maintenance, beauty/barber shop, shelter, enclosed porch and memory gardens and three family-style meals and snacks daily.

The lower level wing that is now Sunset Gardens was used by what was formerly the Health and Rehabilitation facility.  However, MMC sold the facility, which is now Neillsville Care and Rehab, and the facility is now smaller; the Care and Rehab facility needs just a portion of the first floor of MMC, leaving the lower level empty.

“We’ve been working on this project for a very long time,” said MMC Director of Public Relations and Development Lora Wagner. 

Sunset Gardens Medical Director Dr. Tim Meyer, Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cindy Schwanz, MMC CEO Scott Polenz, MMC Manager of Facilities Ken Marg and Sunset Gardens Manager Theresa Hawley addressed those attending the ceremony.

Despite the challenging times, the opening of Sunset Gardens is a positive, said Schwanz, who listed other new businesses in Neillsville.

“MMC has listened to the community and met its needs,” said Schwanz.  “The tenants can live a more independent life.”

Sunset Gardens already has a waiting list, explained Polenz, who added many donors, whose names are on plaques outside the room doors, made the facility possible.

The contract to construct the facility was signed Jan. 15, 2009, and reconstruction began March 2, 2009, said Marg.

Asbestos was removed, 140 tons of debris was taken away and the MMC Maintenance Department logged 2,200 hours of work on the project, said Marg.

Marg listed the many Neillsville and area businesses that helped with the project.

Hawley credited Marg’s staff for its efforts on the project.  “They gave 110 percent,” said Hawley.  “This is kind of a safe haven for [Sunset Gardens residents].”

“[Sunset Gardens] has been a dream of MMC,” said Meyer.  “Dreams do still come true.”

By 2020, the number of people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 84 will increase by nearly 40 percent, explained Meyer, who added Sunset Gardens is a solution for the future.

Sunset Gardens is about “the people who will live here, those who visit them and the memories that will be made at the facility,” concluded Meyer.

Neillsville Memorial Medical Center (MMC) CEO Scott Polenz cuts the ribbon Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, to celebrate the opening of MMC’s new Neillsville assisted living facility, Sunset Gardens, along with (L-R) Sunset Gardens Medical Director, Dr. Tim Meyer, Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Cindy Schwanz, MMC Manager of Facilities Ken Marg and Sunset Gardens manager Theresa Hawley.  Facility rooms (pictured below) are set for residents to move into.  (Photos by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)