Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
It may be a "dusty shoe" right now, but soon Chapman House will be a place for senior citizens who can't live on their own to reside and receive necessary assistance.
Darrell Crissman, program director of Chapman House, said that the assisted living concepts facility offers an alternative to nursing home living and allows older and disabled adults to continue to live on their own schedules.
"The bottom line," Crissman said, "is we provide a home for people who can't live on their own."
Members of the community were invited to tour the facility located at 425 Chinworth Court in Warsaw on Thursday. It is scheduled to open for occupancy in the next couple weeks.
Built in the round with a courtyard in the center, Chapman House offers 33 studio and six one-bedroom apartments. Each unit is on the ground floor and has a kitchenette with a microwave oven and small refrigerator. Voice-to-voice call buttons are located in the living areas and bathrooms.
Residents will have access to a larger kitchen for times when they would like to cook for their families.
There is an activity room, library, laundry room and patio.
"The philosophy of Chapman House is to keep life as close to the same as possible," Crissman said. "Meals are the only scheduled event."
Three meals are served per day in the facility's dining room.
"We provide for the physical needs of the residents," Crissman said. "We offer choice, independence, individuality, privacy and the feel like they're at home."
While there are daily activities offered, participation is voluntary. Chapman House encourages independence, according to Crissman.
Chapman House also offers housekeeping, laundry and maintenance, and there is a beauty shop located on the property.
Not only are pets welcome, but the staff also will assist in their care, if necessary.
Chapman House hopes to complement what the community has to offer by utilizing the services of KABS, the Kosciusko County Council On Aging and Aged and other organizations which provide services to senior citizens.
The facility is staffed with PSAs - personal service assistants - who are trained in the basic knowledge of medical problems, CPR and taking vital signs.
A part-time nurse is on staff and on call 24 hours each day.
The CEO of Chapman House is Dr. Karen Wilson-Brown, who holds Ph.D. in geriatrics and is a national advisor for the Council on Aging.
Rent is based on a sliding fee schedule, and the amount depends, in part, on the amount of personal service/help needed per day.
For more information, call 267-3873.
