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Quality journalism needs your support to thrive. Donate and keep the facts flowing. DECORAH — The first public tour of the construction site for the new Aase Haugen Senior Services building was held Friday, May 23, marking a major milestone in a project years in the making. The state-of-the-art, 75,000-square-foot facility will soon replace the aging structure on Ohio Street. The new facility includes 78 private nursing rooms, each with its own bathroom, and 12 assisted living apartments. Additional amenities include a chapel featuring stained-glass windows preserved from the current facility, a coffee bar, a library and an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Designed with comfort and efficiency in mind, the building will offer a cozy and home-like atmosphere with abundant natural light. "For over 60 years, the current facility has served the community well, but it now requires constant repairs and struggles with outdated mechanical systems and inefficient workflow," said Sam Boeke, executive director of Aase Haugen Senior Services. "This new building addresses all those challenges and allows us to focus on what we do best, which is delivering high-quality, compassionate care." Aase Haugen provides a wide spectrum of services, including skilled rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, respite care, dementia care and assisted living. The organization is especially known for its dedication to veterans, boasting a reputation as the top VA-supported senior care provider in a four-state region. "We take the most complex and difficult VA patients, those other facilities turn away," Boeke said. "It requires more staff and more skill, but it's central to our mission. Throughout the nation, other nursing homes are backing away from high-acuity care due to increasing regulation. We are not your normal nursing home." Construction began April 8, 2024, and the project is expected to be structurally complete by the end of November with a move-in date in December. Brickl Bros. of West Salem, Wisconsin, is serving as the general contractor. Despite the scale of the $22 million project, leadership reports that the construction timeline remains on schedule. The organization has launched a $3 million capital campaign, "A New Place to Call Home," to support the build. So far, $1 million has been raised through community contributions. Aase Haugen leaders stress the importance of continued support, especially in order to expand assisted living services. "There's a clear need in our community for at least 36 assisted living units. We currently have 12. We can't grow to meet that demand without community help," said Boeke. Contributions can be made online at aasehaugen.com or by contacting the office directly at 563-382-3603. Looking ahead, Aase Haugen is also exploring development opportunities on 50 acres of land across the street from the new facility. One early priority is building affordable staff housing to help address workforce challenges. The Aase Haugen leadership team involved in the tours includes Boeke; Rex Nelson, RN, BSN, administrator; Joel Farley, campus development director; Patty Casterton, business development director; and Alicia Fink, RN, co-director of nursing. The next public tour of the new facility will take place Friday, Aug. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.

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New Aase Haugen Facility Welcomes Community for Behind-the-Scenes Tours