The Deerfield prepares for big move

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The Deerfield offers living spaces for seniors of all kinds. The Gables will soon make its move to the new space on The Deerfield campus. Shirley Lind (center) is one of the residents who will transition into the new space. She’s pictured above with her son, Wally Lind (left) and Jo Wrich, campus administrator of The Deerfield.

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With just a few weeks until the big move, The Deerfield Gables residents, along with a few who are moving from The Deerfield into the new addition, are getting anxious to move into their new space.

One of those residents, Shirley Lind, has been living at The Deerfield for almost 13 years.

A former resident of Hopkins, Minn., Lind moved to New Richmond in 2000 after touring the facility with her son, Wally.

“She was sold after that,” Wally Lind said. “She called me up the next day and told me she had made a decision.”

Lind, 91, first moved into The Deerfield as an independent resident living in the senior apartments. Although she was retired, she volunteered at the front desk, organized the facility’s potluck gatherings and helped start the first-ever Alzheimer’s Walk in New Richmond. After developing neuropathy, Lind said she started having trouble and realized she needed some help.

“I would bake pies and I would take them out of the oven and they’d go on the floor,” she said.

After talking with Jo Wrich, The Deerfiend campus administrator, the family decided to hire an independent assistant to help Lind.

“We really try to keep our residents as independent as possible for as long as possible,” Wrich said.

In 2010, after getting sick, Shirley Lind was moved from her apartment into a room in the assisted living wing of the building.

“I really love my room,” she said. “I’m kind of independent, but not independent.”

“She’s as independent as she can be,” Wrich said.

Lind said that while she loves her room, she’s excited to transition into her new space when The Gables wing opens Aug. 28.

“I’ve gone through all the stages with The Deerfield and have loved every one of them,” Lind said.

Wrich said she believes Lind’s transitions have been successful because of the way The Deerfield is set up.

“She’ll have familiar faces with her wherever she goes,” Wrich said. “We’ll have staff and nurses working at both The Deerfield and The Gables. Our Town Center space will be shared with The Terrace, Deerfield and Gables, so she’ll still see her friends.”

“The Deerfield is what it is because of the residents who live here,” Wrich said. “Shirley was one of the pioneers who set the tone and gave The Deerfield its community feel. I see her being one of the pioneers for The Gables as well.”

“The continuum of care has really been a blessing,” Wally Lind said. “She still sees everyone she knows so well and it hasn’t been a financial burden on our family.”

Wrich said that, unlike what most people think, The Deerfield does serve all incomes.

“We base our rent on the economy and the (demographics) of the community,” Wrich said. “You don’t have to be rich to live here.”

The Gables wing is expected to open Aug, 28. An open house is being planned for October, with a formal grand opening after the second phase of construction is completed this winter. The second phase includes the new building entry, wellness/fitness center, library, market and club room.

Tags: new richmond, business