Prescott Senior Gathering Place Advisory Committee Chairperson

The first “BRAINSTORMING” session of Prescott area seniors, held in November 2019, at the Prescott Senior Gathering Place, resulted in development of a list of unmet needs for senior citizens living in the Prescott area. The list included the need for an assisted living residence, memory care residence, affordable senior housing (1-2 bedroom apartments or homes including subsidized housing), transportation, and inhome services. The 29 participants shared their desires to remain in Prescott when they find they are no longer able to live independently in their homes or wish to downsize. The group identified 27 family members or friends that have recently had to leave the area and move to a nearby community, i.e., Ellsworth, River Falls, Baldwin, Hudson or Hastings for residential care. Everyone felt this was unacceptable. Contributions many seniors of Prescott and surrounding areas have contributed to the community include: financial, volunteer work, employment, support for and/or owned businesses, pay taxes, cash and non-cash donations to area programs, churches, etc., have/had children and/or grandchildren attending the schools. All of these contributions have supported Prescott’s growth and community changes. Now we need to support senior needs.

The second “BRAINSTORMING” session at the Prescott Senior Gathering Place was held on February 6, 2020 with 28 attendees. Several individuals shared reports about assisted living and/or memory care residences located in other Pierce County communities, in Hudson and in Hastings, MN. The report of a forthcoming assisted living and memory care facility at the remodeled St. Croixdale Hospital was well received. The group members were encouraged to attend City Council meetings.

The next “BRAINSTORMING” session will be held on March 5th at 1:15 PM at the Prescott Senior Gathering Place, located at the Prescott Intermediate School, 1220 St. Croix St, Prescott, WI (enter through lower level door #5 by sign).

All are welcome. Speaker(s) from the Pierce County Aging and Disability Center will provide information on services and eligibility determination for financial assistance. The Prescott Nutrition Site director will be providing information regarding available transportation and home delivered meal services, Future topics of interest include in-home care, home modifications, subsidized housing, nursing home care, and meeting with developers who are building or remodeling property in the City.