History
History of Weskota Manor Avera
Weskota Manor Inc. is a private, non-profit, 40-resident nursing facility established in 1964 with a primary service area of Buffalo, Jerauld, Aurora and Sanborn Counties. Originally established as the "Springs Home for Senior Citizens", the facility name was changed to Weskota Manor in 1978 when the Jerauld County Memorial Hospital relocated its operation to the same campus. Both facilities were renamed at that time. The hospital became Weskota Memorial Medical Center and the nursing facility became known as Weskota Manor.
In order to avoid duplication of services within a small community, the hospital was physically joined to the Weskota Manor building and services such as laundry and food service were contracted from the Manor. This philosophy of sharing resources between the two organizations continues today through the utilization of shared services to also include social services, maintenance, housekeeping, nursing services and administration.
Although many nursing facilities throughout the country struggle with low occupancy levels, Weskota Manor has a reputation for high quality personalized resident care resulting in a "waiting list" for admissions for many years. Despite the decreased occupancy levels throughout the industry, Weskota Manor continues to maintain a high occupancy level with a 98% average occupancy level throughout the past three years. This is in part due to the excellent reputation for quality resident care and the astute planning of the community leaders in constructing a medical complex that supports the continuum of care throughout the lifespan.
Congregate Housing
In 1996, the Weskota Manor Board of Directors joined with the South Dakota Housing Program to build an additional congregate housing unit adding an additional 14 apartments to the complex. Both apartment complexes have occupancy levels exceeding 99%. The Weskota Medical Complex includes two separate congregate housing units supporting 30 individual apartments.
Services Provided
Community Health Nursing services, a dental clinic and a variety of physician specialty clinics round out the healthcare complex providing Weskota Manor's residents and their families with readily available healthcare services that are easily accessible.
Board of Directors
The Weskota Manor Board of Directors is comprised of nine at-large members serving three-year terms and representing business leaders throughout the community. The Weskota Manor Board of Directors and Administration was instrumental in the development of Weskota Apartments North, a 16 unit congregate housing project financed through USDA Rural Development Program in 1989. Weskota Manor personnel continue to manage this project as they have since its initial construction.
Management Services
On July 1, 2003 the Weskota Manor Board of Directors signed a three-year agreement with Avera Queen of Peace Health Services, Mitchell, to provide management services for Weskota Manor. An addendum was completed on May 4, 2005 and the agreement renews annually. The agreement between Weskota Manor and Avera Queen of Peace provides for management services through Avera Health.
Tobacco Free Campus
On May 31, 2006, as part of a state-wide initiative, Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center & Weskota Manor Avera joined with other healthcare facilities across South Dakota to implement a Tobacco Free Facility Policy. As a result, use of tobacco products is not permitted on the property of the hospital, nursing home and Weskota Apartments.
