by Kathy Cianci, Administrator

This past year was a history making one for the County. 138 years after the supervisors of Richland County first purchased land to care for the elderly, the new 80 bed skilled nursing center and 16 bed assisted living center opened including a new therapy gym for inpatients and outpatients.  At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Fred Clary County board Vice Chair and Pine Valley Community Village chairperson talked about the continued commitment of the Richland County Board of Supervisors to caring for the elderly of the area.

Residents and families are enjoying the new residence with private rooms and showers. Many residents have commented on how much they like the private speech therapy treatment rooms and the use of the new therapy lift to help residents learn to walk again.  They like the open, modern spaces and how the residence is filled with light.  Many residents enjoy the small country kitchens in each household; the food choices and the wonderful aromas that fill the household as meals are cooked right there and can stimulate an appetite.

A portion of the old building continues to be renovated and will be complete early this spring.  The remainder of the old building will be demolished in late spring.  Many Richland County residents have had ties to Pine Valley over the years; either as employees, residents, family members, vendors, volunteers or visitors.  Pine Valley is grateful to all community members who have made Pine Valley what it is today, past, present and future.  We are thankful to the Foundation members who give tirelessly of their talents.  We are thankful for our caring and dedicated staff who coordinated and executed a fantastic move day that was “ahead of schedule and under budget” as the popular saying goes, and continue to provide great care to our residents.  We are grateful to the Richland County Community-we are here for your care and because you care.  This is your facility.

Even with shrinking reimbursement from the state Medicaid program, (Wisconsin ranks dead last for Medicaid reimbursement out of all 50 states), Pine Valley has decreased the county appropriation from the general fund over the years which has stabilized at its current level of  3% of our revenue.

The long term care industry faces some challenges ahead:  workforce challenges, shrinking reimbursement, and stifling regulation. It will continue to “take a village” to run our new residence, but in this case, a “county”.