Sun staff
Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices, based in Lebanon, held a dedication ceremony for the “small house” neighborhood in Union Township on Dec. 15.
The event, which was attended by about 140 people, also served as a welcome to the facility’s first residents.
The “small houses” are designed to de-institutionalize traditional skilled nursing home care, according to the Otterbein website.
“I walk in the door and it’s like, wow, this is not a nursing home,” said Patty Saunders, licensed practical nurse for the Otterbein facility in Maineville. “You don’t smell bad orders, you don’t see patients with restraints on, you don’t hear them crying out help me, help me, help me.”
She added, “You see aides attending them. You smell bacon. You smell cookies. You smell baby powder.”
The “small house neighborhood” is a concept developed by Otterbein, a faith-based non-profit organization associated with the United Methodist Church, according to a press release.
The neighborhood, which broke ground in September 2014, consists of five houses, each with 10 private suites surrounding a kitchen and dining area, office, open spaced living room and study, screened-in porch and patio.
The concept is designed to offer long-termed skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation in an environment that is like a warm and comfortable home, according to a press release.
The Union Township location is named the Susan F. McConn Neighborhood in honor of Otterbein’s former vice president of small house neighborhoods Sue McConn, who helped lead the charge in the fight to deinstitutionalize skilled nursing care.
Saunders noted that the small house neighborhood is not a facility where people go to pass, but rather it’s a facility where people go to live.
“We liberate our elders,” she said. “We give them voices. It’s all about liberation, and they deserve it.”
Clermont Chamber President/CEO Matt Van Sant thanked Otterbein for risking capital in the local community.
“It seems like just yesterday we were here turning dirt to start this project,” he said. “You’re now one of the assets we list in our portfolio as a reason to locate here, and we’ll be forever grateful for this day.”
The facility will employ at least 75 people, according to a press release.
Union Township Trustee John McGraw said the opening of the facility is a great present for the township.
“This is such a quality facility. It’s very, very nice,” McGraw said. “We’re very proud to have this type of new building in our community.”
He said the facility’s residents will be very lucky to have such great people taking care of them.
“It’s one thing to say you have good service, but to provide it on a regular basis and make a difference in people’s lives means a lot.”
McGraw said the community was glad to welcome Otterbein.
“We’re proud that you’re here; we’re glad that you’re here, and I welcome all our new residents to Union Township,” he said.
Otterbein has started construction of another small house neighborhood in Loveland, which is set to be completed in the spring of 2016.