Hospitalizations and Care Needs:
Our commitment to support an individual is both a privilege and a responsibility that we take seriously. In the event that an individual needs to go to the hospital, ACR typically provides 24-hour staffing at the hospital; even though we are not reimbursed for this cost, we have learned over the years that we need to be there to advocate for the people we support when they are most vulnerable in order to ensure their well-being. If a person’s medical needs increase, we do our best to accommodate him/her within the same home or in another ACR home. In several cases we have developed new homes around someone we support when necessary care could not be provided at their home (for example, people who need insulin who were not able to receive it in an ICF were moved to an SLS which we developed for them). We opened an Alzheimer’s home to accommodate four people we were serving in other homes who were no longer a good fit with their housemates. We desire to support people in all phases of their lives.
Interests and Activities:
We focus on each individual based on their needs and interests, to help people lead satisfying lives and pursue their own dreams. We have found that people with disabilities often miss out on major life events such as confirmations, graduations, and marriages; therefore, ACR works hard to plan and provide exciting events that people with disabilities can look forward to. We hold dances, provide weekly entertainment and events at J. Arthur's Coffee Shop, get people involved in community education courses, and plan both small and large vacations. Many people will save up money for camps, for weekend trips to Duluth or the Wisconsin Dells, or for longer trips to Florida, Nashville, California and the like. We also try to connect people who have similar interests for day-to-day activities as well as for trips.
Respectful Care:
ACR is well-known for its high-quality, respectful care and receives many favorable comments from the guardians and case managers with whom we work. People can see that our well trained staff regard the people we support as equals, and respect them as such. One of our residents stated "I have taken back my dignity at my ACR Home". To be valued as a contributing member of society, with a vital role to play, is a very important component of self-worth, and is a feeling our residents attain at ACR.
As an extra bonus, many family members, case managers and licensors also comment on how our beautiful homes are decorated and maintained to reflect the individual interests and tastes of the people who live there. Also, by being good neighbors, we have been very successful in becoming an accepted part of the neighborhood in the communities where our homes are located.
