Bay County Medical Care Facility sits in Essexville, Michigan, right by the Bay County Golf Course in Hampton Township, and people come here when they need skilled nursing, whether it's for a short stay after an illness or injury or to live here because they need more help each day. The place is run by the County of Bay together with the Bay County Department of Health and Human Services, and folks say it's always meant to feel homelike, not cold and impersonal, with about 206 beds that are all certified by Medicare and Medicaid, so many people can find care here, and it doesn't leave anybody out who needs medical attention but isn't in the hospital. The staff, which includes about 315 workers-nurses, CNAs, laundry and maintenance folks, therapists, social workers, and food service-focuses on treating everyone with respect and kindness, and you'll also find three local doctors, Dr. Michael Gruber, Dr. Robert Hafford, and Dr. Douglas Tubman, who keep an eye on people's health and look after anything that comes up.
Residents here get help with the basics, like eating, bathing, and dressing, and they can join as many or as few social and recreation programs as they want, from cards and in-house movies to bigger things like crafts, baking clubs, bingo, annual fairs, or even trips out to do things like shopping, bowling, and casino visits if they're up for it, and there's even a big library of books and videos right in the Activity Department. There's a Resident Council for people living there to share their opinions, and staff listen, so changes come from inside, not just the office. Folks stay here for different reasons-chronic illness, memory loss, or to recover from a hospital stay-and the Assessment Team, with nurses, therapists, dietitians, and activity coordinators, figures out with each person and their family exactly what they need, whether it's 24-hour nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, rehab after surgery, memory care for people with dementia, on-site dialysis, or even hospice care near the end of life.
The community puts on events, like their annual car show, and tries to give people chances to feel part of something, not left out. Leadership is steady, too, with Director of Nursing Kim Geno, Assistant Director Connie Kolat, and Administrator Ruth MacAlpine making sure the whole place runs well. Because the place is nonprofit and owned by the county, it feels community-oriented, with decisions guided by a three-member board from the Department of Human Services. The values they talk about a lot-communication, accountability, respect, and empathy-show up in daily life, and every bit of care is shaped to give residents the most independence, purpose, and dignity possible, so even if life is harder than it used to be, people here can still have a say in their routines and join in when they feel up to it.
