MONROE - When Margaret Benkert moved to St. Clare Friedensheim, she had her pick of the apartments.
She said she made the choice to move to St. Clare Friedensheim from her home in Monroe because, "I needed help. I couldn't do it alone."
When she moved into St. Clare Friedensheim, Benkert recalled, "There were just two of us here at first."
That was during the summer of 2000. St. Clare Friedensheim had just opened the doors of its new 26-unit Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC). Several years later, an additional 24 units were built, making a total of 50 apartment units. A joint venture - owned 52 percent by the New Glarus Home, 24 percent by Monroe Clinic, and 24 percent by St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe - St. Clare was the first facility of its kind in Monroe.
Complexes like St. Clare Friedensheim must meet high quality standards, and they must be either registered or certified by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Supportive Living and comply with regulations set forth for the protection and care of residents.
Each resident of St. Clare Friedensheim lives in his or her own apartment, which includes a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen facilities.
And while the apartments were built to offer the feel and look of home, the availability of supportive personnel and nursing services allow residents to live in their apartment homes for a much longer period of time and remain as independent as possible.
Celebration is a big part of life at St. Clare Friedensheim - whether it is in the form of family gatherings in the commons room, the noting of residents' birthdays on apartment doors and in the monthly newsletter or the special opportunities that allow the tenants to show their individual talents.
Take for instance, Marjorie Bass. A resident since 2003, she was the first person to move into the new addition of apartments. At 91, Bass enjoys leading St. Clare Friedenshiem's weekly Bible studies. She also offers her services as a musician on both the piano and organ.
Bass and the other tenants of St. Clare Friedensheim will soon be joining employees and community members to mark the facility's 10-year anniversary. St. Clare Friedensheim is inviting residents, family members and the community to join them for an ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday. Members of the board of directors will help host the social, and Madison talent, Jesse Walker, will provide music.
She said she made the choice to move to St. Clare Friedensheim from her home in Monroe because, "I needed help. I couldn't do it alone."
When she moved into St. Clare Friedensheim, Benkert recalled, "There were just two of us here at first."
That was during the summer of 2000. St. Clare Friedensheim had just opened the doors of its new 26-unit Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC). Several years later, an additional 24 units were built, making a total of 50 apartment units. A joint venture - owned 52 percent by the New Glarus Home, 24 percent by Monroe Clinic, and 24 percent by St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe - St. Clare was the first facility of its kind in Monroe.
Complexes like St. Clare Friedensheim must meet high quality standards, and they must be either registered or certified by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Supportive Living and comply with regulations set forth for the protection and care of residents.
Each resident of St. Clare Friedensheim lives in his or her own apartment, which includes a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen facilities.
And while the apartments were built to offer the feel and look of home, the availability of supportive personnel and nursing services allow residents to live in their apartment homes for a much longer period of time and remain as independent as possible.
Celebration is a big part of life at St. Clare Friedensheim - whether it is in the form of family gatherings in the commons room, the noting of residents' birthdays on apartment doors and in the monthly newsletter or the special opportunities that allow the tenants to show their individual talents.
Take for instance, Marjorie Bass. A resident since 2003, she was the first person to move into the new addition of apartments. At 91, Bass enjoys leading St. Clare Friedenshiem's weekly Bible studies. She also offers her services as a musician on both the piano and organ.
Bass and the other tenants of St. Clare Friedensheim will soon be joining employees and community members to mark the facility's 10-year anniversary. St. Clare Friedensheim is inviting residents, family members and the community to join them for an ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday. Members of the board of directors will help host the social, and Madison talent, Jesse Walker, will provide music.
