Historical Building Overhauled –
Traditions Assisted Living Opens

The Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI)
December 9, 2009
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

With construction ending this week, the historical building on East Stanley Street, formerly ITT, will once again be opening its doors, but this time as Traditions Assisted Living.  Developers Jason Hazuga, Brenda Anderson and Jeff Hazuga have been working for months to prepare the building to be reopened to the community.
 
Jason Hazuga, President and Chief Executive Officer, was appointed as the President/Chief Executive Officer of Traditions Assisted Living in 2009.  Jason has over 10 years experience in the health care field, ranging from long term care to home health and assisted living.  On January 12, 2008, Jason opened a 32-apartment complex in the region then moved back to his hometown of Thorp to begin this renovation project.
 
While looking for a structure or land to build on, the developers came across the old building on Stanley Street.  “When I first looked at it, I would have never guessed that this would be the place, but the price was right,” Jason commented.  “And I think it’s important to restore what is already here,” he added about wanting to keep the historical building as a thriving part of the community instead of building a new complex.
 
After being stripped down to its frame and remodeled, the newly refurbished building now offers 12 apartments for senior citizens with a list of additional services.  Ranging in size from 327 to 560 square feet, each apartment has a kitchenette with microwave and fridge, a bathroom with a walk-in-shower, and individual temperature adjustment.  The facility offers three meals from a staffed communal kitchen, a large, eat-in dining room, chapel, beauty shop, outdoor patio, three shared sitting areas, a laundry room, and also offers a monthly activities calendar.
 
Each individual that comes in to become a resident goes through an assessment, which can be done at the establishment or a representative is able to go to the resident’s home, to consider which and how many services they desire or may need.  “They can always add more assistance later on as needs come up,” said Hazuga.
 
Attached to the assisted living facility, is Small Wonders Daycare, which Hazuga plans to incorporate into activities, such as the “Grandfriends” program where some of the children would have adoptive grandparents at the facility.
 
With a significant goal of filling the facility within six months, Jason hopes to make Traditions a beneficial part of the community, and if the necessity would arise, has aspirations of adding on a Memory Care Unit.
 
Traditions will officially open the second week of December and will be hosting an open house on Wednesday, December 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, December 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.