Friday, September 13, 2024
By Ben Rodgers
Editor
HOWARD – Tender Hearts Assisted Living will be adding 10 additional rooms and an outdoor courtyard which will be ready for occupancy on Feb. 20.
Located at 300 Cardinal Lane in Howard, Tender Hearts is the only family owned and managed assisted living facility in the Green Bay area, said Chris Goffard, co-owner with his wife Rachel.
“There’s a reason we didn’t build all of this in 2009,” Chris said of the expansion. “It took slow and secure steps to build this right.”
Chris and Rachel Goffard, owners of Tender Hearts Assisted Living in Howard, stand by the fireplace at the assisted care facility, which will open 10 new rooms on Feb. 20. Ben Rodgers PhotoTender Hearts currently has 20 apartments in one building centered around the dining area and another 10 in a second building, where the expansion will be going to create a total of 30 units.
Each resident has his or her own room, which he or she can decorate like home and families are allowed to visit 24/7.
Each room also has a private bathroom, walk-in shower, individual heating and cooling controls, a refrigerator and cable TV.
“We wanted a more homey atmosphere,” Rachel said. “We wanted people to bring their own things from home and set up their room like home. We didn’t want to be a hospital or institutional. We wanted it to be like family.”
In addition to easy access for families, the Goffards both said they are available by phone 24 hours a day when someone has a concern about their loved one at Tender Hearts.
They can also complete resident admissions during emergencies 24 hours a day.
“You get close to the residents, but you get close to their families and you become an extension of that family,” Rachel said. “That’s what makes it so special.”
She is a registered nurse with more than 30 years experience, so she designed Tender Hearts and the new expansion in a way to emphasis a close-knit community with a focus on care.
“Bigger is not always better,” Rachel said. “(Others) might have more amenities then we do, but to us the most important thing is the personalized care residents get.”
Because Tender Hearts is a smaller facility, residents get more personalized care.
Rachel, for example, knows everyone’s name, as does much of the staff of 42.
Chris and Rachel feel what sets their facility apart from others is the personalized care the staff provides.
Tender Hearts is structured as a blended facility, he said.
“Some people need full-time assistance and some people need minimal assistance,” Chris said. “The way Rachel structured this is from minimal care to end of life. We’re small, but nobody is left behind. If somebody doesn’t come down to lunch, the staff finds them and comes to them.”
Tender Hearts currently has 42 employees and Chris is in the process of hiring more for the expansion.
“Rachel and I didn’t create this atmosphere,” Chris said. “The staff created this with their hard work and dedication.”
For more information on Tender Hearts and the expansion, visit tenderheartsassistedliving.com, or to schedule a private tour, call Rachel, 920-366-8500, or Chris 920-366-8452.
