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Haven celebrates anniversary

Matt Stensland
The Haven board president Mark Fischer cuts a birthday cake with former board member Melvin Richardson on Wednesday during The Haven birthday celebration and business meeting.
Matt Stensland

If you go

What: The Haven birthday celebration

Where: The Haven, 300 S. Shelton Lane, Hayden

When: 5 to 6 p.m.

— Residents have an opportunity today to get a glimpse at the past, present and the future of the Haven assisted living center in Hayden.

The center has been offering care for 10 years to people who need help with day-to-day activities, but do not require the medical services of a nursing home.

“That’s the whole thing is making sure people can age where they want to be,” said Karen Burley, director of The Haven.



Today the center will celebrate its 10-year anniversary. The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association and the Haven will also hold their annual business meeting at 4 p.m. Employees will be honored for five, 10 and 15 years of service. The birthday celebration will be held from 5 to 6 p.m.

“We expect it to be a big event,” Burley said Tuesday.



Anyone is encouraged to attend, especially if they are curious what the plans are for the assisted living center. Former board members and Hayden community leaders are expected to attend. Visitors might also have the opportunity to meet the Haven’s oldest resident, Lucille Sundberg, who is almost 99 and first moved to Hayden when she was 2. She moved to the Haven about a month ago.

“I think I was getting too old to be on my own in my apartment,” Sundberg said while taking her daily walk Tuesday. “I think we’re fortunate to have a place like this so we don’t have to go off to Denver or Grand Junction.”

In 2001, board members considered shutting down the Haven because there were not enough residents to occupy the 20 available beds. But the need for an assisted living center has grown, and there is a waiting list for the private rooms, Burley said. Since the VNA took over the Haven in November 2005, funds have been raised that will allow for expansion of the facility. The VNA serves as the primary public health organization for Routt and Moffat counties.

The addition to the Haven will serve as a community center and the latest architectural conceptual drawings will be on display during the birthday celebration.

The community center would allow the VNA to expand the VNA’s Aging Well program. The center will be used to teach more classes, including classes about nutrition, fitness, bird watching and traveling. VNA officials hope to start work on the addition soon.

– To reach Matt Stensland, call 871-4210 or e-mail mstensland@steamboatpilot.com


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