Boardman Cottage

Boardman Cottage is a small, licensed senior care center on Main Road in Islesboro, Maine, about 10.5 miles outside Belfast, that serves up to eight residents at a time, with studio-style rooms already furnished so folks don't have to worry about moving heavy things, and you'll see right away how they've made it feel homey with a cozy dining room where residents gather for their meals, a beautiful garden outside with walking paths and a sitting area, and plenty of bright space. The staff, managed by Maura Michael, offers 24-hour supervision and helps with bathing, dressing, transfers, and all those activities of daily living people sometimes need more help with as they age, and they also help manage medication, bring meals that fit special diets like for diabetes or allergies, do the housekeeping, laundry, and even dry cleaning, and make sure everyone stays comfortable. Folks can watch TV with cable or satellite, use the telephone or stay connected by high-speed internet and Wi-Fi, and there's plenty to do with scheduled daily activities like music, movies, fitness, art, games, and community-sponsored gatherings so it's easy to find a way to spend the day or stay active, and people who need a little help with memory or have dementia can join the memory care program. There's hospice care, respite care for short stays, non-ambulatory care, and help getting to medical appointments or religious services when needed, plus assistance with errands or food shopping, and when winter brings snow, they even lend a hand clearing sidewalks, so it's set up for all the ups and downs of senior living on an island. The staff trains as Certified Residential Medication Aides and gets CPR and first aid instruction, so they're ready to respond, and with emergency alert systems in the building everyone can feel a bit safer. The community is non-profit, run by a board of directors and President Bonnie Hughes, and they also offer adult day programs for seniors living at home nearby and support through Island Neighbors Home Care. Boardman Cottage keeps things simple, helps residents with care and comfort, and brings some peace of mind for families in the Islesboro area.