Proposed tax levy renewal to benefit Wayne County Care Center
Mary Soliday, right, spends time with a therapist on her first day at the Wayne County Care Center.
The Wayne County Care Center is located at 876 S. Geyers Chapel Road in Wooster.
Eleanor Janaway, left, receives therapy from Kayla Beyler, PTA, rehab manager.
Voters who go to the polls on May 8 will find a renewal levy on the ballot for the Wayne County Care Center.
"Voters are being asked to extend the current levy that is expiring for five years without increasing it," Wayne County Commissioner Ron Amstutz said. "So this is not asking for a tax increase. This property tax is countywide for support of Wayne County citizens who are in the unfortunate situation of needing care that is not available from other sources."
Every five years the levy is reviewed. "According to our county auditor's office," Amstutz said, "this levy was first approved in 1978, although Wayne County residents have been supporting our county home since it opened in 1852."
Funds from the levy are used to support operation, maintenance and renovation expenses for the nonprofit care center. The citizens of Wayne County own the facility.
According to Amstutz, county auditor Jarra Underwood has estimated the annual cost of the levy at $19 per $100,000 of market value for a home. For example, a family home with a value of $130,000 would pay $24.70 per year.
The care center has been providing needed services to senior residents of Wayne County for well over 160 years.
"On July 26, 1852, community members met as 'the board ordered that notice to be given to collect the poor from the different parts of the county to the infirmary, beginning on Monday the second day of August next.' Thus began the mission of what was to become the Wayne County Infirmary, then the Wayne County Home and now the Wayne County Care Center. To this day the care center provides necessary medical and housing services to those most in need," said Steve Eva, Wayne County Care Center administrator.
Charges for the facility are based on a resident's ability to pay. "The care center exists to fill the gaps in our health-care system to ensure that all seniors have the ability to receive top-quality, compassionate care regardless of their financial situation," Eva said.
The center is able to serve up to 27 assisted care and 50 skilled nursing residents. It is certified by both Medicare and Medicaid as a skilled nursing facility. The facility employs 86 staff members including 49 members of the nursing staff, a medical director and support staff.
Contracted services at the care center include physical, occupational and speech therapies as well as other needed services such as dentistry, optometry, podiatry and audiology. They also work with several hospice organizations.
"Our activity department does a fantastic job at keeping our residents entertained and engaged, thereby improving their quality of life," said Kelli Beckler, the director of social service/admission.
Volunteers are a great aide in providing activities and entertainment. According to Beckler, a group of students from the College of Wooster have adopted the care center and provide music therapy as well as performances.
"We are fortunate to have found a chef who works closely with our activities department to make each meal an event and special events even more grand," Beckler said. "Each resident is able to make their own meal choices, and our dining services staff go out of their way to meet individual preferences."
Beckler explained the care center's role in providing information to the community. "We see ourselves as a resource for senior care and offer education regarding available services to the senior community," she said. "We host a luncheon at the community center every other month that is free and open to any senior. We participate in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's and help promote awareness of this and other illnesses affecting our citizens."
Being able to offer care to area seniors also is a service and support to loved ones and family members of residents. "Caring for a confused or very ill loved one is a 24 hour per day, seven days a week job with no breaks or relief in sight," Eva said. "Admission to the care center gradually relieves this impossible burden, allowing families to enjoy quality time with their loved ones."
"We are always accepting volunteers," said Candi Knowlton, activities director. "Anyone interested in providing entertainment, one-to-one visits and personalized activities would be greatly appreciated."
Email Knowlton at cknowlton@wayneoh.org.
Eva said, "The reason we are able to provide the quality care that we do is because of the generosity and support of the citizens of Wayne County. Without your support, many may not get treatment for illnesses, a warm comfortable bed to sleep in, or a nice, hot meal every day. Without your support, there are seniors in Wayne County who would suffer. We are asking for your support to help us help them."
"We feel we perform a noble mission," Beckler said, "and would like to continue to provide this service for another 165 years."
The Wayne County Care Center is located at 876 S. Geyers Chapel Road in Wooster.