Mt Washington Residence sits in Eau Claire, WI, in a building that goes back to 1949 when it was known as Mount Washington Sanatorium and has served as a live-in care facility and a sanitarium; it's been mostly empty for about five years but is being redeveloped in phases, using the old central facility, adding new buildings, and will add more trees around the property, with construction set to begin in September or October and hopes to finish by May 2025. They plan to offer various independent living options, assisted living, nursing care, and a secured memory care area for people with Alzheimer's or dementia, and the place is for residents who can live on their own or need extra help, usually aged 55 and up, with nurses on staff and 24-hour awake staff who help with emergencies, medication, personal hygiene, and some medical needs like diabetic care or incontinence, as long as it's light or medium care and the person can manage some things themselves. There are apartment or condominium-style private units, furnished or unfurnished, all with wheelchair accessible showers, and people can choose meal plans that include catering for vegetarian and kosher diets, one or two meals a day made on site, and staff can prepare specialized diets upon request.
Laundry and housekeeping services are available, and there are indoor and outdoor common areas to sit and visit with friends or family, with lounges with cable TV, a pool table, a variety store, a chapel, sun deck, barber and beauty shop, and both on-site and off-site devotional services. Residents get a full calendar of recreational and social activities like bingo, crafts, baking, exercise, outings, music, parties, hand massages, nail buffers, and even facials. The facility allows outdoor smoking but not inside, and there's resident parking and a bus shelter on site, with options for public transit nearby, and both complimentary and paid transportation services if someone needs a ride. Memory care costs are often higher than other types of care, about three times as much for that group, but families find comfort knowing there's a secured area for those who wander and staff who are trained for cognitive challenges.
Mt Washington Residence doesn't have a listing on the National or State Register of Historic Places, but it is recorded as a contributing property in local architectural inventories, and has its connection to E. F. Klinger and Associates as architects. The building retains wall materials from the original construction period, and it's part of broader efforts to offer more senior housing options for the area, hoping to keep costs lower and add more supply for Eau Claire's seniors. Residents can get respite or short-term stays, and the community offers personal support, emotional and spiritual care, and a safe environment for people who want social opportunities and regular daily routines. Staff provides monitoring, help with diabetes care, medication management, basic healthcare, and light to moderate assistance, with a 1-person transfer available for someone who's non-ambulatory but doesn't need heavy lift care. There's a focus on maintaining some of the existing mature trees while also adding new landscaping, sidewalks, and keeping the property convenient and walkable for all residents.
