Submitted Photo A Benedictine Garrison neighbor, Marvel Bakken, enjoys an outing at the Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery.

Benedictine Living Community-Garrison, which cares for older adults and seniors from Garrison, Minot and surrounding areas, also around the state, has come a long way from its modest roots 55 years ago.

Garrison Nursing Home, as it was called then, opened in May 1969 with seven residents. These residents were called “neighbors,” which still continues today. Later, in 1989, the nonprofit, faith-based Benedictine Health System took over management of the home, which offered long-term nursing care. Benedictine Living Center of Garrison was chosen as the new facility name in 1997. A hospitality suite was created to provide short-term care/rehabilitation stays and end-of-life care in 2002. In 2008, private rooms were established, providing a new option to its 52 neighbors. And in 2009, a new, attached independent/assisted living community named The Meadows opened with 18 apartments.

“There have been many changes since the Garrison Nursing Home first opened in 1969. Back then, people went to nursing homes to receive healthcare long-term and to have their physical needs met,” explains Scott Foss, executive director of Benedictine Living Community-Garrison. “Today, the focus has expanded beyond just needs-based care to a ‘whole person’ approach that encourages engagement and connection. We offer social activities, health and wellness programs, and spiritual care that support the social, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of our neighbors, resulting in a better quality of life.”

The types of services available for older adults have also increased over time. In addition to long-term nursing care, Benedictine Garrison also offers inpatient and outpatient therapy, short stays (from one-six months) or long stays in independent/assisted living, veterans services as a VA contract facility, bariatric services, short-term care and rehabilitation, certified dementia care specialists, and hospice.

“We offer a full ‘continuum of care,’ which means we have multiple care levels under one roof working together in one integrated system,” states Foss. “That makes it easy for neighbors to transition to the level of care they need at any time as they get older or have different health care needs, which provides peace of mind to both our neighbors and their families. It offers the convenience and comfort of being able to stay at the same place with friends, healthcare providers and staff they already know.”

Benedictine Garrison has made many investments in its campus over the years, including enhancements to living spaces and neighbors’ rooms, a new state-of-the-art wireless call system, a new fitness/therapy room, new equipment and flooring in dining and kitchen areas and a patio upgrade. It also developed a special Veterans Wall to honor its veterans, several of whom have been Quilt of Valor and Quilt of Honor recipients. Its nonprofit Foundation is currently raising funds to help build an additional garage on the campus.

Also expanding are its therapy offerings and specialties, which include inpatient therapy for current neighbors receiving short-term rehabilitation or long-term care, and outpatient therapy open to the public. Its physical therapist has a certification in women’s health therapy and can treat patients of all ages with pelvic floor dysfunction such as urinary incontinence or dysfunction, pain and weakness. Some people who benefit from women’s health treatment include those who are postpartum (new or old), those with bladder insufficiency, and those who have had abdominal surgeries. This offering is available to the public through its outpatient therapy program.

In addition, the community has developed a sensory room to provide advanced therapeutic care to those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other conditions.

Another advancement in senior care is the movement from pharmaceutical interventions toward alternative therapies to help address the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of those with cognitive decline or dementia. Benedictine provides integrative health and healing well kits that help staff members comfort, reassure and calm neighbors through the senses of smell, sound and touch. Examples include therapeutic touch/light massage, aromatherapy, healing music and therapy dolls, which help neighbors connect to positive memories and feelings.

Benedictine Garrison is dedicated to keeping its neighbors connected to their interests and the outside community. After staff members discovered that a neighbor had been a long-time teacher in Minot who loved butterflies and taught metamorphosis to her students each year, they developed a real-life Monarch butterfly metamorphosis display with the help of their own family members, including an Underwood Elementary School student. The display was set up in Benedictine Garrison’s lobby for everyone to enjoy. The neighbors loved watching the caterpillars’ transformation into butterflies and eagerly took turns releasing them outdoors.

Each month, student council members from Bob Callies Elementary School in Garrison come to visit and interact with neighbors throughout the facility. And every year, students develop artwork that is featured at Benedictine Garrison’s Spring fundraising brunch and auction. It also invites the public to attend its free annual Community Picnic with neighbors, family members and staff, which this year will celebrate the 55th anniversary of Garrison’s inaugural nursing home and the 15th anniversary of The Meadows independent/assisted living community.

“We’re proud of our long tradition of quality care for older adults and seniors in the area. Our neighbors really are like family to us – in fact, my own parents live at The Meadows,” Foss states.

“Our goal is to help older adults maintain health, wellness, independence and quality of life. The main advantage is that they don’t need to leave and go to an unfamiliar place in a large city for care. After a hospital stay, they can receive short-term care and rehabilitation here with our specially trained on-site therapists, before returning to their own home. They can enjoy years of living independently or with a little assistance, while knowing that therapy or longer-term care if needed is right round the corner. We offer everything here where they can age in place and stay in a community and area they love, close to friends and family,” adds Foss.