Brethren Care Village sits in Ashland, Ohio, at 2140 Center St, near places like Lutheran Village of Ashland, and it's been around since 1972 as a nonprofit. The campus stays well-kept, and folks there can walk paths, use the Wellness and Community Center, or relax on a patio garden or enclosed courtyard. It offers independent living, assisted living, long-term nursing care, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing services, so people can stay as their needs change. The buildings include different room choices-studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and semi-private. Apartments come with big features like appliances, an Emergency Response System, and parking. Residents live in a Christian-based community, and the campus has spaces for all sorts of gatherings, like The Greens Bistro & Pub, where one can get breakfast or lunch, a fireplace lounge, or even rent spaces for big family events.
People who stay here get meals provided, including special diets with low-sugar or low-sodium options, and guest meals for visitors. There's restaurant-style dining and private dining rooms, and services like housekeeping and grocery shopping make things easier. Other amenities add comfort, like a library, TV lounge, billiards, beauty salon, butterfly garden, raised beds for gardening, and common rooms with fireplaces. There are indoor and outdoor areas set up for family visits or just enjoying nature.
Brethren Care Village handles different levels of care, covering independent folks, those needing daily help, and people with health needs like diabetes, who get help with insulin and blood sugar checks. Nurses and caregivers are on-duty around the clock. The staff helps with moving between bed and wheelchair, bathing, grooming, and other care needs, and there's support for people who manage incontinence by themselves. Residents with memory loss, such as Alzheimer's or dementia, get care in a secure memory care area designed to keep them safe, with bracelets and technology to prevent wandering. Staff trained in Montessori methods and behavioral care help residents stay engaged and safe, even if they face challenges with behavior or mobility. Memory care and all care plans get updated as residents' needs change, and there's a dedicated LPN, April Keener, who's worked on the campus for 24 years.
There are always activities, events, worship services, and clubs going on, from art and stretching to games like Wii bowling and trivia. Devotional and Protestant services run onsite with chaplain visits, so residents who want spiritual support can find it easily. The calendar of outings, educational lectures, intergenerational programs, and fun makes it easy for folks to stay active and meet others. A full-time activity director and companion care programs help keep everyone involved. Residents can also use transportation services, both free and at-cost, to get around, and the staff can help with arranging trips.
Paying for care works in different ways at Brethren Care Village. Families can use private pay, Social Security, and even veterans' benefits. Charges are sorted by things like community fees, respite care, buy-in, and care levels (high, medium, or low), with separate rates if a second person moves in. Costs change depending on which part of the community and how much help a resident needs.
Amenities and features have been set up to help people age in place, stay around friendly faces, and take part however much they're able. The focus remains on giving as much independence, stability, and comfort as possible, whether someone lives in Bay Laurel's independent apartments, needs help in Belmont Tower assisted living, or has moved to the Health Care Center for skilled nursing or memory care. Staff stay available day and night, and care plans get made for the mind, body, and spirit, so people can keep living their lives as well as possible.
