Abbe Center for Community Care

Abbe Center For Community Care has served Linn County and people from Marion and across the state for about 25 years, mainly helping adults with mental illness by offering both residential and transitional care in a facility that accommodates up to 75 residents, though it's set to close on September 30 because there aren't enough funds, and right now staff are working hard to help patients find new places to go. The place has a range of room choices like studio, 1-bedroom, semi-private, and 2-bedroom spaces, and folks pay through private pay, social security, veteran's benefits, private insurance, and there are several fees including community, respite and buy-in, plus rates that depend on care needs or if a second person stays. There's been a focus on supporting people who can't live safely on their own but don't need round-the-clock skilled nursing, giving about an intermediate level of care, along with memory care services for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia, assisted living to help with dressing, bathing, meals, and medication, plus diabetic and incontinence care, and short-term respite care after surgeries or to give caregivers a break, also adult day care for daytime needs. They always have staff awake and ready in emergencies, including assistance with moving from bed to wheelchair, and checking insulin for diabetes, and the staff have been recognized as helpful and kind, making the place feel friendly and welcoming. The setup includes homes or apartment-style living designed for active seniors, housekeeping and laundry services, nutritious chef-prepared meals, indoor and outdoor spaces like gardens, art and ceramic studios, a computer lab, a fishable lake, fitness center, hiking trails, a chapel, clubhouses, a billiard room, and dining rooms, along with amenities like mail delivery, a beauty salon, parking, theatre, and whirlpool bath, so residents have comforts similar to home. Activities keep people busy and engaged, from bocce, shuffleboard, putting green, volleyball and softball courts, a woodshop, to crafts and horticultural programs, and there's even a cyber cafe and youth visitor activities so families and visitors always find something to do and everyone's encouraged to move and socialize. Community life also involves worship events in the auditorium or historic chapel, club meetings, meals, games, and help is always close by. The center's non-profit status and its role in mental health mean it has supported patients needing help with mental health problems, developmental disabilities, and longer-term psychiatric care, and it offers help easing people back into community living when the time's right, always adjusting services as resident needs change. There's a history here of offering support, safety, comfort, and care, but with its closing coming up, families and residents are now looking ahead for the next step.