Tour reveals senior living facility

The place to be last Sunday afternoon in Sisters was on the Hard Hat Tour at The Lodge in Sisters. More than 400 people came through the doors to tour the senior living facility currently under construction next to the post office.

Sisters resident Toni Landis told The Nugget on Sunday she had seen everyone she knew in Sisters at the gathering, including some she hadn't seen for 15 years. Landis said she arrived 10 minutes before the doors opened and there was a long line waiting.

The center portion of the building, with a porte-cochere in the front, contains the entry, library/parlor, theater/chapel, activity room, game room, grandroom with fireplace, 24-hour café, and restaurant dining room. High ceilings create a feeling of spaciousness throughout the residence.

In wings off either side are 62 individual residences: studio, one-, and two-bedroom units. Pam Lovegren, community relations coordinator, reported that as of last Sunday, exactly 50 percent of the residences are reserved. The first move-ins are expected to occur in mid-to-late February.

All units have fully accessible bathrooms off each bedroom. The one- and two-bedroom units have spacious walk-in bedroom closets. Every unit has an interior entrance from the hall and an external door to a small concrete patio.

There are partial kitchen facilities available in each unit with cabinets and counter, kitchen sink, 10.2 cubic foot refrigerator, and microwave. For residents who wish to do some baking or cooking, the activity room will have a full kitchen.

Lovegren described The Lodge as "a boutique community with all the amenities of a larger senior community, but with only 62 residences, all on one level. We are a tailor-made community - no cookie-cutters here."

The level of care ranges from fully independent living to assisted living to just before a person would qualify for memory care, perhaps being at risk of harming themselves or others. The Lodge staff will assist the family in finding appropriate placement in that case. Temporary short-term respite stays are possible if a caregiver at home needs a break or help is needed before returning home after hospitalization.

There are five levels of care available with an additional monthly charge ranging from $185 to $1,600. The respite rate is $150 per day. One-on-one care is available through The Lodge for $55 per hour or outside caregivers hired by the resident can be brought in.

Pets are welcome, with a one-time pet fee of $500 and an added $50 per month charge. The pre-opening monthly rates are: $3,495 for a studio (425 sq. ft.); $4,195 for a one-bedroom (641 sq. ft.); and $5,495 for two-bedroom units (909 sq. ft.).

Included in the monthly rent is restaurant-style dining, a 24-hour snack café, weekly housekeeping and laundry for linen/towels, scheduled transportation, private dining room, utilities including internet and basic cable, social events, activities, classes and excursions, and fitness center and group classes.

Local glass artist Susie Zeitner is handcrafting 138 lighting fixtures for The Lodge including individual sconces beside each resident's hall door and four-foot diameter glass chandeliers for the common areas.

Scott Nay is the executive director of The Lodge. He reports that a registered nurse who resides in Sisters has been hired to work Monday-Friday during the day as well as on-call for evenings and weekends. There will also be a medical assistant and a med tech.

An executive chef and his staff will do all of the meal preparation. Nay said he would be hiring more than 30 caregivers.

Investor Peter Hoover said there is space on the east side of the five-acre parcel for a potential additional one- or two-story structure that could provide 20 or 40 more residences.

The grounds will contain landscaped courtyards, walking paths, and outdoor seating areas for strolling and relaxing outdoors.

Lovegren indicated there would be numerous opportunities for volunteers to engage with The Lodge community. To discuss possibilities contact Lovegren at 541-549-634 or 541-977-0011 or email [email protected]

More information on reservations is available at www.thelodgeinsisters.com.