Good Samaritan Center to close December 8

Representatives from Good Samaritan Society with headquarters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota were at Clearbrook Good Samaritan on Monday, October 9. They had sent letters to those who have residents at the center to attend a meeting. This was not  a public meeting, it was only for residents and family members. Earlier in the day they had a meeting with the staff to let them know what was happening.

Anne Reese, Interim Administrator who took over from Adriana Peck, who had started at the center in February 2017, welcomed the many in attendance and opened with a prayer. She introduced Michael Deuth. 

Deuth, an Executive Director in The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society spoke to the many who were gathered in the chapel at the center. He  covers the communities of Brainerd and Pine River. He was elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2015.

Deuth stated that the building was getting tired. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), roof and windows needs replacing. Last spring the State and Federal Fire Marshall were in the building. The Federal Marshall changed the classification to a two story building, as it had been classified as a one story building with a basement. That changed the codes that they go by and added to the costs of the building. Their recommendations were that where the additions join they would have to put up fire walls. He mentioned that they did not have the losses to give to the people at the meeting but the revenues had decreased over the years. They have been looking to sell the building and offered the building as a gift. No takers and that lead them to the point of giving a 60-day notice of intent to close the building in Clearbrook. This would be effective December 8, 2017.

People at the meeting stated that the  City of Clearbrook and residents of the area were not informed of the possibility of obtaining the building or that there was a possibility of closing the facility. Deuth stated that he was bound by state statues to keep the information private.

Susan Raper Regional Vice President of The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society stated that they go through a state approved process. To deliver to the residents as a whole as this is their home. They are working with other agencies to relocate the residents of the center to other facilities. They met on September 28 with 5 agencies to help with the transition.

They included: Elaine Carl-quist, Director of Care Management, Prime West Health from Alexandria; Karen Peed, Director of Moving Home Minnesota from St. Paul; Cheryl Turcotte, Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Development Disabilities from Brainerd, Corey Jones, Office of Ombudsman for Long Term Care from Warren, Marissa Hetland, Director of Clearwater County Nursing Service in Bagley and Jamie Halverson, Director of Clearwater County Department of Human Services in Bagley.

They each spoke on what a difficult task that everyone has in the relocation process for the residents. They will have a follow up to see how things are going and that their needs are met. Tours will be provided as long as it is in this county or a connecting county. What will happen to the staff to find other employment. The facility has 43 beds with 30 patients because it is hard to get qualified staff to cover and safely take care of the residents.

Several people were able to give comments. Good Samaritan has put very little into the capital building fund for up keep in the past few years. They asked, why not come to the board or community to ask entities who may be interested in buying. This closing will impact a lot of families and employees, which is not a good situation for this small town.