What's in a name?  That's always a great question when deciding what to name a new community.  A name should be reflective of not only the area community, but what the company's philosophy is.  When deciding what to call the new assisted living community in Spirit Lake, one of biggest representatives of the area was the lakes and how important that was the the area and the people that live there. 

The definition of a Keelson would be described as a timber or girder fastened above and parallel to the keel of a ship for additional strength.  The goal of assisted living is to assist the resident.  The typical resident can no longer live independently  because she has personal, social, or health related needs.  Often those are related to the physical and emotional changes that take place as a person grows older.  However, just because the resident cannot live independently, does not mean she cannot do things on her own or with assistance.  If you think of a keelson adding additional strength to a ship or sailboat, we think of our assisted living program in the same way.  We are here to help our residents remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible, therefore adding additional strength, not only physically, but to be there for them as a person as well.

A harbour or harbor or havenis a place where ships may shelter from the weather or are stored.  Harbors can be man made or natural.  A natural harbor is surrounded on most sides by land.  We looked at what our buildings mean to the residents that live in our community.  With each or our communities designed with seniors in mind, our communities become their harbour.  In each apartment, we have taken care to include the little things that keep residents independent such as grab bars in the bathrooms, raised toilet toilets, electrical outlets that are higher than you would see while living in your own home.  We also put our elevator in the center of the building so that no matter if you are on the second floor, it is the same amount of steps to the dining room and activity areas as it would be if you were to live on the first floor in the same apartment.  We've even made sure to put railings down the halls of the community for added support.