Additional rooms at Bluff Haven Assisted Living near full already
The new great room at Bluff Haven Assisted Living includes a cathedral ceiling, two fireplaces and large flat-screen TVs for residents and visitors to enjoy. The entire addition put on this summer is 8,000 square feet and has 12 more private studio apartments, bringing the total to 18 rooms and 20 beds. Nearly all of these are full already too. (Photos by Correne Martin)
A hallway and entryway to an apartment in the addition are pictured.
Shown here is the wide open living space of a currently vacant apartment at Bluff Haven Assisted Living.
Residents can take a relaxing bath in the spa if they wish.
By Correne Martin
With an additional 8,000 square feet and 12 more private, assisted living studio apartments, Bluff Haven in Prairie du Chien now offers 18 rooms and 20 beds and nearly all of them are full. In April, when the addition was first announced, about 30 names were on the waiting list for a room. And it’s not expected to be long before that list grows again, according to Alesha Erdenberger, administrator of Bluff Haven Assisted Living and Community Health Services Corporation senior vice president of operations.
“It definitely filled a need,” Erdenberger said. “We would like to keep [occupancy] at 100 percent. We’ve only been open a couple weeks and we have just one single room and one double left to fill.”
Out of 39 residents, eight are men and 31 are women. The one double room already occupied houses a husband and wife.
For those adjusting to the transition of the new space, “it went much better than expected,” Erdenberger added.
In addition to the apartments, the new area features a state-of-the-art multi-purpose room with a cathedral ceiling, two fireplaces and large flat-screen TVs.
“Per state code, we need so many square feet per resident, so that’s why the great room is so big,” she said.
Also, the original kitchen was remodeled and upgraded appliances installed. New dining room tables provide a special touch for those enjoying food services and the company of others at the facility.
“The rest of the furniture was in the existing part, just crammed in. Now it’s spread out and looks a lot nicer,” she noted. “We had the same architects and same construction company (as who built the original space), so that style, feel and the relationships were the same.”
Every apartment that was added is the same square footage as the previous ones. They all offer walk-in showers, nice-sized closets and a wide open living area. Many have scenic views of the bluff from their windows.
Services and amenities at Bluff Haven Assisted Living include 24-hour nursing care, assistance with daily living activities, laundry, housekeeping, group activities, nursing assessments, care planning, hair care, a nice spa, medication management and a secure environment.
While most of the feedback is positive regarding the newly modernized facility, the best comments tend to be shared about the staff, Erdenberger pointed out. “Everyone says, ‘Your staff is so caring.’”
Tours of Bluff Haven Assisted Living can be scheduled by calling 326-8471.
