The Miracle on the Hill (Heritage Living Center)

Part II

The first part of this article summarized how the Heritage Living Center (HLC), an assisted living center for elders, was developed by the late Father Emmett Hoffmann on the outskirts of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana.

This second part looks at the living experience for the elders who are blessed to be HLC residents. This writer, for example, is one of them. Thus, this description comes “straight from a horse’s mouth,” to borrow an old western adage.

The Heritage opened in 2002 and has now been in operation for 24 years. During that time, dozens of elders lived their last days in safety and comfort. Many passed away there, while others had to move to facilities when more medical care became necessary.

HLC is not a nursing home; rather, it is an assisted living center for elders capable of fairly independent living. It is licensed by the State of Montana and in excellent standing. Independent living means that a resident must manage most functions and get around, yet still require some level of assistance for activities of daily living. Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and so forth abound, while other residents are still fully mobile, easily navigating the stairs to second floor areas and disdaining the elevators. Ben Davis and Ron Carter, both in their late 70s, continue daily walks to town in all sorts of weather. “I don’t need any dang help,” says Davis, an old cowboy. “Use it or lose it.”

After several decades, it would be normal for such a facility to show evidence of wear and tear. Yet a person unfamiliar with the facility might assume it is brand new. That is partially true. In 2023, the facility suffered a flood caused by a faulty fire suppression line, resulting in considerable damage. Ceilings collapsed; the whole building flooded; and residents were evacuated in a short time, many losing items of personal value. Long-time resident Dominga Bixby, for example, tells of being unable to save a wealth of family portraits and important documents. What mattered most, however, was saving the lives of the residents and preventing injury, something the capable staff handled exceedingly well.

Repairs to the extensive damage took nearly a year. During that time, the residents and entire staff were relocated at Soaring Eagle’s expense. Initially, people were housed at the Boot Hill Inn in Billings, a high-end motel. The Soaring Eagle population was treated exceptionally well there, and Soaring Eagle still maintains a special relationship with the owners and staff. Anna Crow, another long-term HLC resident, still patronizes Boot Hill when in Billings for overnight stays, as do many other residents and staff. “We each have a special place in our hearts for one another,” commented Bobbie Strangeowl, a veteran HLC Resident Staffer, one of many who spent that time with the residents.

After the Billings stay, the residents and staff spent nearly a year in Livingston, Montana, at the Fairfield Inn, located near Yellowstone Park in a beautiful smaller Montana town. There, the Soaring Eagle entourage was treated very well and enjoyed the many amenities offered in that tourism driven spot. Yet imagine the cost of that! The Soaring Eagle Foundation must have very deep pockets to match their unwavering dedication to the HLC family of elders.

Other residents chose to move in with family due to work obligations or personal preference, knowing that their spots at HLC would be available when construction was finished.

As a result of the remodeling and the excellent maintenance program under the direction of James Bement and his crew, Troy Wilson and Andrew Thex, all Northern Cheyenne tribal members, the facility is just like new. Maintenance of the facility and grounds is a priority, including a huge emergency generator prepared for the power outages that often plague the rural area where HLC is located.

The Center features 40 apartments for residents in the large complex. Each unit includes a kitchen/dining area, living room, bedroom, huge walk-in closet, and a bathroom large enough to accommodate wheelchairs. The rooms are well-lit due to the many large windows. When there is a room change, each apartment gets fresh paint and carpeting, and the maintenance crew ensures all outlets and fixtures are working and safe.

While ranges for cooking are not supplied, the apartments are equipped with full size refrigerators and microwaves. With proper shut-off valves, electric frying pans and similar appliances can be used for personal cooking. Some residents prefer to prepare their own meals and dine in the privacy of their apartments rather than in the common dining room. Visitors and guests are welcome in the dining room, paying a small price for meals, and each resident gets to select a birthday menu and use a private dining room when relatives come for celebrations.

The apartments are furnished by Soaring Eagle, including table, chairs, couches, recliners, bed, dresser, lamps, and end tables. However, residents may bring their own furniture, an option many exercise. Each apartment reflects an individual personality, most beautifully decorated. Each apartment has a deck and sitting area adorned lavishly with summer flowers or holiday decorations, though those on the ground floor sometimes have to shoo the deer away from tempting blossoms. As one resident noted, “All you need to move into HLC is a suitcase.”

HLC housekeepers assist residents weekly, with the level of service dependent upon physical capabilities and personal preferences. Basics include garbage removal and providing paper products at no charge. Other services range from doing laundry, vacuuming, and weekly cleaning of the bathroom and living area. Some residents even have their beds changed and dishes done.

The staff includes an Activities Director, Damion Hart, and a Jesuit volunteer, Mary Helen, who is soon off to medical school. Every day there are games to play, and often residents are taken via a 12 passenger van on trips such as shopping in Billings, Miles City, or Sheridan, especially the all-necessary Walmart, as well as to the library, the movie theater in Sheridan, community social events, wakes or funerals, and even the annual Deadwood gambling spree. Residents also rely on HLC drivers for transport to medical appointments at IHS or in Billings. Finally, there is a twice-daily trip to downtown Ashland for errands.

There are several common areas, including the Parlor for crafts; another area with a big screen TV; a library with tables used by jigsaw puzzlers; areas for playing cards and games; a room with a pool table and exercise machine; and a beautiful chapel where Mass is held each Sunday. Shuffleboard is a weekly favorite. The exterior features a playground for visiting grandchildren; a sweat lodge used regularly, bringing in Ernie Robinson and other Cheyenne who have the right to run sweats; paved walking paths; and sitting areas. Soon the area will be graced with flowers, though the many deer who feel safe on the grounds are overly fond of tulips. Flowers, bird feeders, and chairs will soon adorn the residents’ decks, lending a cheery and homey feeling.

Of course, as in any communal setting, there are rules. Residents are free to leave on their own for trips, appointments, and so forth, and many who have vehicles do so regularly, while others are walkers. It is necessary to check out and indicate a time of return. Twice each day, the Resident Assistants must have a visual sighting of each resident; they have the right to enter apartments for safety reasons. Visitors are welcome from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Overnight guests are not permitted (that prevents grandchildren and other relatives from moving in), but the facility includes several guest rooms that can be rented by family members at a minimal cost.

The facility also features a dining room and commercial kitchen. The kitchen staff prepares three nutritious meals daily and maintains a 24/7 soup and salad bar. Coffee, tea, and juices are readily available. Many residents, including this writer, are in danger of getting fat.

The next and final installment about HLC will look more closely at the dedicated staff, mostly Northern Cheyenne and others, who are responsible for the operation and their dreams for the future. HLC is still growing.

(Contact Clara Caufield can at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

The post The Miracle on the Hill (Heritage Living Center) first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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