By Wayne Gates – 

A new assisted living facility is now open in Brown County.
Close To Home IV is located in the former Southern State Community College building near Sardinia on U.S. 62.
It will serve as a home for 68 residents when it reaches capacity. There are 47 private residences, some with double occupancy for married couples or other family members.
“We want our facility to appeal to anyone of any age. We have a regular dining, private dining, a sports bar, a library, a theater, a billiards room, an ice cream parlor and a chapel,” said owner Sharon Hartwig.
“There are also walking trails on the grounds and we will be putting horseshoe pits in when Spring comes.”
Hartwig said that residents will have many of their medical needs met as well.
“We will have a visiting nurse practioneer and physician. We will be able to offer x-ray and lab work,” Hartwig said.
“We will also allow third party assistance like physical or speech therapy as well as hospice services.”
Hartwig said that assisted living is a concept where residents get the help they need while maintaining as much independence as possible.
“We assist with bathing, dressing, medications, physical therapy and occupational therapy. We have staff available 24 hours a day to help our residents get ready for the day, have their meals and activities and do whatever else is necessary for them to lead fulfilling lives,” she said.
“Residents will have their own private area with lots of privacy and we meet their dignity needs as well. They have a private bath and a door that closes.
Hartwig said that prices start at $3450 month. She added much of that cost can be paid with a benefit from the state of Ohio.
“The Assisted Living waiver is a program offered through the Ohio Department of Aging. It picks up a significant portion of the cost of care for those who qualify. Some people can use their social security benefits to cover the part of the cost and the state will supplement the rest with the waiver.”
Hartwig said that anyone looking for more information on the waiver program can call the Ohio Department of Aging at 1-800-582-7277.
The building is laid out in a wing concept with a common area in the middle with furniture and a television that is surrounded by private rooms.
“The layout of the building has allowed us to develop little communities. People who live on certain wings make friends with each other because they see each other often,” Hartwig said.
Hartwig recommends that anyone who is interested in the facility should come and check things out.
“It takes us thirty days to six months to fill up one of these facilities once it opens. I would advise anyone who is interested to come by and take a look at what’s here and get a comfort level for the staff and see what assisted living really is,” Hartwig said.
The address of Close To Home IV is 12681 U.S. 62 in Sardinia.
For more information, call (740) 307-2533.