MOORHEAD - Fifteen assisted-living residents of Golden Living Community must find new housing arrangements.
Golden Living is converting its assisted-living unit to transitional care beds for recuperating patients who leave the hospital but are not ready to go home.
The moves, with the goal of being completed by Aug. 31, can be handled by Golden Living, the center's director said Tuesday.
"We're just trying to make this transition as easy as we can," said Richard Blanchard, executive director of Golden Living Community, 2800 Highway 10 E.
Besides handling the actual move, Golden Living will provide transportation for residents to visit other assisted-living centers to evaluate openings.
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Pat Boyer, a social services supervisor for Clay County, said a list of openings in Moorhead and nearby areas indicates all residents could be placed.
A list compiled by Golden Living shows 16 openings, by Boyer's tally. If Hawley Senior Living, which was not listed, is counted, the number of openings probably exceeds 20, she said.
Alicia Gorder, marketing director at Eventide, said she's already fielded several inquiries from families of Golden Living residents who must move. Eventide at Fairmount in Moorhead has two two-bedroom units and three one-bedroom apartments available.
"There are options," Gorder said. "My best guess is there are openings and it's just going to take some legwork."
Any move is difficult for elderly residents, she said.
"It's hard," Gorder said. "Moving - it's no fun at any age, but it's harder when you're older."
Golden Living is doing all it can to smooth the transition for its residents, Blanchard said.
"We want to completely minimize the stress of the relocation," he said. "We are picking up the moving tab as long as they use our services."
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Those residents who require assistance from Medicaid would have to stay in Minnesota, or establish residency in North Dakota to gain eligibility across the border. But for those who don't have that restriction, assisted-living centers in Fargo would be an option.
Among the 15 residents who must move, seven are public pay, Boyer said. The remaining eight could consider openings in Fargo if they wished, she said.
Golden Living Community's review of services in the local market found strong unmet demand for transitional living care, Blanchard said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Patrick Springer at (701) 241-5522
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