26 – There is another wide level of “assisted living” provision which is not addressed here: Assisted living care-givers to live here on island, and to provide in-house care for those in need. Properly trained certified nurse assistants with oversight by RN’s can provide professional in-house care but do cost the patient up to $360/day. Need for daily assistance will drive us off island unless the condition is short-lived and temporary. 71,68 yrs.
6 – Hopefully I follow family genetics and live into my mid 90’s with no outside help except a housekeeper once a week. My home has everything I need should I become disabled. 72yrs.
8 – I feel very cared for on Orcas. With all the current assistance I believe we’d manage at home just fine. 67,76yrs.
15 – My desire is to remain in my home as long as possible. At present I require assistance in housekeeping and property maintenance. 80yrs.
16 – If possible I would like to remain in my own home as long as possible. Some assistance may be needed. 67yrs.
17 – If possible I think it is important for older people to stay in their own homes. I subscribe to Life Line and wear as adjustable wrist band. 94yrs.
27a – While we are quite independent at present we would hope to live out our lives in the Orcas community with personal care available as needed. We would like to move into retirement housing within a few years as we are increasingly unable to keep up our house and 5 acres, and we live too far from town. 85,83yrs.
34 – We want and plan to live in our home with what-ever assistance is needed. We have lived here for 48 years and do not plan on moving. 80,87yrs.
94 – At some point I-we may be interested in some assistance in our existing home, meals on wheels, etc. 75yrs.
45 – I have my own home, but will need help eventually. I do not wish to go to a “care” home. I love my own abode, even though I live alone with my dog. 85yrs.
We live in Eastsound & own our home free & clear. Would stay at home!
42 – Am glad to see some interest. Have long thought it is something we need here on Orcas. 60yrs.
43 - Let’s take care of our elderly – they do not want to relocate when they get old. Don’t transplant old trees. 63yrs.
44 – An assisted living facility is needed here. If it is affordable we feel there would be great demand if quality and provided quality medical care remains stable.
46 – Needed with administering/monitoring medications. Will a registered nurse or practical nurse be on staff?
47 – If any of you have the chance, go to see Somerset House in Victoria. It’s ideal. My stepmother lived there very happily; a former recluse, she blossomed. I can’t predict the future and your survey has made me think, so thank you for doing this. 68yrs.
48 – I answered this with my mother-in-law in mind. She is also on Orcas and two weeks ago we had a conversation about the lack of this type of facility on Orcas which will probably lead to her decision to move off-island in the next 3 to 5 years. Assisted living facility would be most welcomed on Orcas. 77yrs.
51 – We appreciate your thinking about the need for assisted living. We hope we nevery need to use it, but who knows. 80yrs.
3 – Everything, of course, depends on our mental and physical health. Currently, we both enjoy good mental and physical health, but are aware of potential changes in the future. We are delighted to see a committee formed for this important need: Thank you. 71,75yrs.
I think we desperately need this kind of service. Many of us would stay on Orcas where we have support, rather than leave for the unknown. We’d need arrangements for our children from out of town to stay for short visits. Otherwise, I’d need a two-bedroom! I can’t go $5,000 a month, however!
If assisted living were available on island I would choose it if the quality and size were appealing, and if I could afford it! If my husband were in the picture, of course, some of the above answers would change.
1 - I see myself wanting to live in an independent living center, with options from self maintained apartments/cottages to a full service room/board/care. I favor the living alone, yet supported approach. 50yrs.
2 – Most people who might be fairly able when they first require “assisted living” could easily advance to a place where much more help would be needed. I believe a graduated level of care might be indicated and would be available when the time came. To move again to another facility would be traumatic, even at best. 80yrs.
23 – Need a combination of independent living and assisted living, a facility where independent living and as age issues change, can move within the same facility to more assistance. 58yrs.
24 – I definitely think a good assisted living facility is an important part of keeping seniors involved in their community and among familiar and cherished places and friends. In other words, a good mental health investment. I think it is very timely to be planning one that includes perhaps – respite care and 2 levels ‘assistance’ with the thought tha one could move from one to the other. 66yrs.
27 – Since we live 15 miles form Eastsound, we increasingly feel the need to move into a smaller, more central place. We would very much like to stay on the island in the community we have known since moving here in 1986. It would be desirable to have personal services available on an “as needed basis.” 84,83yrs.
58 – My sense is that I might be relatively mobile and functioning well at the “moving in” time, - but that my needs would increase as time went on. It might be useful to have 2 levels of care – one for those relatively independent, but needing social support, another to help with a more advanced set of needs. 59yrs.
Any assisted living facility should have a range of options from no care (just rent the space) to complete, and the ability to adjust the options periodically, or with emergency need. Does Washington have any subsidies for this kind of facility? How large would it have to be to be financially viable?
21 – Gathering room/hobby room. Nearby accommodations for visiting family members, transportation to community events. Pets welcome. Children welcome at stated hours, raised garden beds, snack storage facilities. 74,77yrs.
95 – Meals would depend on cooking facilities available in apartment and condition I was in. I would expect 3 meals/day for those who needed it. I would like access to Eastsound to shop as needed, to get to activities in community, Library, Orcas Center, Senior Center, etc. It would be nice to walk to things if I were in condition to do so. Also, a healthy activity for the elderly when possible. 63yrs.
38 – Shared garden. 55yrs.
98 – Dog and cat agreement would be most important. 68yrs.
96 – Transportation to Eastsound, mainland. Therapy dog. Guest speakers. 69,67yrs.
102 – Social interactions within the building, outings to community events on or off-island, computer hook-up, bookkeeping, accounting help. 58yrs.
The Retirement Inn at La Connor would be a good model to consider. The location—where people can walk to restaurants/stores is nice. Having a safe, pleasant place for assisted living clients to walk, stand, rest, would be nice, particularly if there is a pleasant view. 80yrs.
11 – Since property is less expensive in outlying areas and since the elderly are more susceptible to respiratory and other pollutants, a rural location is far preferable. Cars are able to be utilized for the few “outside” activities in Eastsound, but the serenity of meadows and trees are a priority in my view. Please, if you build or remodel, us as a free resource for information to employ less toxic materials. 60yrs.
19 – I believe an assisted living complex should immediately be conceived and promoted in order for it to become a reality in the next five or six years. The island needs it, and it would be a great asset to the community, to perpetuate the wonderful diversity of our island population, and to provide jobs for our young people in the care giving field. 47yrs.
It is difficult to answer these questions because one doesn’t really know what our needs will be. But I do know one thing: I don’t want to leave our beautiful Orcas Island and all the wonderful people who live here.
55 – This will be next to impossible to organize. There is lack of skilled staff consistent w/legal requirements. Orcas Island is NOT the place for this! You must have a financial/business model for such a facility. This cannot be approached just with charity in mind.
[Not necessarily negative for the writer, who is upper-middle professional income early 60s, but for the project] We’d move closer to family members or to warmer climate.