Assisted living facility opens after years of hard work
by Bob Kennemer
LA VETA — It took seven years, a vision, and a village of people to come to fruition. In October, La Veta Village opened its doors and welcomed the first four residents. LVV is a new assisted living facility located in La Veta, in what was commonly referred to as “The old cheese factory”. An old run downtrodden, but historic building just off La Veta’s Main St. this past eyesore (although it did boast an amazing mural, but it too was in disrepair) will now provide modern comfortable living quarters for up to 16 residents, when at capacity.
It was La Veta resident Jeanne Schwarz, who saw potential in the cheese factory. Schwarz, who like much of her team is in her 80’s, noticed that La Veta had an aging population. She knew many of this population would desire to spend their golden years in the area, but some would need assistance to live as independently as possible. Having developed three previous assisted living facilities in Castle Rock, Schwarz assembled her team.
In 2015 Clyde Schroeder and the late Jay Davis, two local architects, joined up with Schwarz and others to hold a focus group meeting. A board of directors followed along with an auxiliary organization. Garage and bake sales turned into the auxiliary and soon additional fundraising efforts emerged as building designs took via the architects. Events were held on the patio of the cheese factory, allowing the auxiliary to become a conduit to the community, further enhancing fundraising. But this was a huge project requiring significant grants and loans.
Schwarz explained, “Fortunately, the group obtained a $69,000 donation from the estate of the late Gail Ritter. That gave us a boost we needed to keep going.” Funds came in from other sources. A $4,000 grant and a $3.4 million dollar loan from the Department of Local Affairs, along with even more local donations and fundraising. “Just as important was the donation of time, expertise, and goods. Local resident the late Kirk Kramer worked for the largest non-profit consulting firm in the country and was a catalyst behind our startup funds,” added Schwarz. “Much of this was old people helping old people,” says board member Edna Schmidt.
Now, with open arms and doors, the first residents are trickling in. The first was Martha Romero from La Veta, who arrived the morning of October 13. That afternoon, lifelong Huerfano resident Dick Jamison was welcomed. A week later Huerfano resident Janet Behringer arrived along with Emilie Bower from Thornton, Colorado. Bower has family in Walsenburg who wanted her to live closer to them. The goal is to allow the residents to come in slowly to make the transition as easy and resident focused as possible. The facility should be at capacity by June of this year.
In addition to residents, LVV is also bringing on more staff. They are required to have staff in the facility 24/7 and that staff must be awake overnight. To that end, said staff do laundry, cleaning, and check on residents. Sherri Wiens and Jeanne Young make up Schwarz’ current administrative team. Much of their focus is on hiring and training of staff. All staff must have first aid and CPR certifications.
La Veta resident Ksenya O’Banion is the current cook and according to Jamison she is great saying “The staff are Number 1! The food is different than what I grew up with but is all good!” The food is made fresh and from scratch on site. O’Banion prepares three meals per day, plus snacks and drinks are available in the day room, known as Mountain Meadows. (Each room in the facility were named by key donors.) There the residents have a kitchenette with a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, sink, and a large flat screen TV where they can relax.
In addition to the day room, there is a room known as Peak View, where residents may play games, do arts and crafts, and give or receive presentations and other entertainment. Some recent events included bingo, chair exercise, Bible reading, music and dance, Pilates, movie and popcorn night, reading group, and a Halloween party. Dick Jamison recently provided a history presentation on the Old Cheese Factory explaining it had only been a cheese factory for a short while. Over the years the structure had been a welding shop, housed a blacksmith, saw a commercial mushroom growing operation in the basement, and home to several apartments.
Schwarz owns the empty lots directly east of LVV and has been in discussions with Huerfano County Economic Development head Carlton Croft regarding an idea to use the site for small independent living cottages for senior citizens. Those cottages and the residents would be under the support of LVV. In the near term, the lots will likely be a senior park.
The residents at LVV oversee their own health care because LVV is their home. As defined by the State assisted living means the facility is, “A nonmedical alternative to a nursing home placement.” The only difference is that all the LVV staff are trained to assist with the resident’s meds. The residents can make and go to their own medical appointments or use home health, Medicare ride services, whatever they need.
The atmosphere is a combination of a high-quality hotel in the common areas and a homey feel in the actual residences. Those who live at LVV have their own furniture, artwork, personal items, and possessions. The common areas have plenty of art some donated by local artists. Indeed, the residents at LVV clearly enjoy their life there. Martha Romero stated, “I don’t have to do nothing. I’m very content. The food is great, and the staff are great.” Dick Jamison added, “I never thought I’d live like this because I always lived in the country. Last week I walked up and down Main Street to get reacquainted. I just can’t brag enough!”
