I recently got permission from the corporate headquarters to use the real name of our CCRC, so I will use the real names of the streets and buildings, but not of the staff members and residents I write about. For the humans, it’s a matter of their right to privacy.
Otterbein Pemberville, officially Otterbein Senior Life Pemberville, is a full-fledged Continuing Care Retirement Community located in rural Northwest Ohio. What that means is that it comprises independent villas and apartments, assisted living apartments, and a skilled nursing facility, commonly known as a nursing home. The facility boasts an on-campus physician, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, free cable TV, complete snow removal and lawn care, walking trails, onsite banking, and many, many social and learning activities. It even has a chef with his own commercial-grade kitchen and an adjoining dining facility, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at modest prices.
Otterbein Pemberville sits on 162 acres of old farmland. A large portion of it, perhaps one-third, is forested and has apparently never been farmed. The area is peaceful and quiet, though numerous CSX trains pass daily along the western border of the property. There is no thru-traffic or overhead aircraft. Fire and rescue services are provided by a nearby town. Another nearby town offers a butcher shop and small grocery store, both owned by the same family, and all their meat is fresh and local.
The Otterbein Pemberville campus is large, clean, well-manicured, and, most important, it is safe. As part of the lease signing ceremony, we were presented with our very own emergency pendants, which are monitored everywhere on campus, including along most of the walking trails.
Otterbein Pemberville encourages, but does not require, residents to participate in the governing of the facility. There are three committees that answer to the governing Board: Development and Marketing, Finance and Human Resources, and Quality (includes nursing and resident services). Committees make recommendations too, but do not have a vote on, the Board; two elected Resident Director Representatives are actual Board members and each has a vote.
Our campus is made up of 75 independent living villas in five separate courts. The villas range in size from a one-bedroom to a large two-bedroom with a sunrooom. Configurations are as varied as the residents living in them. Rent is based on size of unit, and the Marketing Department handles all queries related to rent.
In addition to the villas, there are approximately 50 independent living apartments in the main building. Sizes range from studio to one bedroom, with one two-bedroom also available. As with the villas, rent varies with the size of the apartment.
Otterbein Pemberville has a brand-new assistant living wing with about 40 apartments on two floors. These apartments are designed for residents with more care needs who generally cannot live independently or who need a temporary residence after an operation or severe illness, such as stroke or heart attack.
Finally, there is a skilled nursing wing for residents with the most acute needs. This is essentially a nursing home, and needs no further description in this blog.
