STONEHILL FRANCISCAN SERVICES

STONEHILL FRANCISCAN SERVICES. Stonehill is a faith-based, not-for-profit retirement and care community serving thousands of elderly in the Dubuque area. Stonehill Franciscan Services has had a long relationship with Dubuque’s SISTERS OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS OF THE HOLY FAMILY (OSF). The Sisters of St. Francis replaced ST. FRANCIS HOME which they had established in 1905 when it could no longer meet safety and fire codes. (1)

In 1989 Stone Care Center officials announced plans to operate an adult day care center near its nursing home at 3485 Windsor Avenue (the former XAVIER HOSPITAL. Providing a supervised setting for the elderly who could not be left at home would provide a break for caregivers. Eventually activities could be provided for all senior citizens. Providing the service would allow seniors to remain in their homes for as long as possible. (2) This program received a $35,000 Dubuque Racing Association grant in 2000.

In 1999 Stonehill Franciscan Services authorities announced the opening of Assisi Village at Stonehill. (3) The 51-unit complex came as one of the many accomplishments administered by Sister Dolores Ullrich who retired in 2007 after twenty-eight years and the president and chief executive officer of Stonehill Franciscan Services. (4)

A five-month renovation project costing $225,000 resulted in a beauty shop, whirlpool tub, and needed space to Stonehill’s Adult Center in 2001. The renovation nearly doubled the facility’s size to 4,052-square feet added a handicapped-accessible shower, counseling space, and enough room to accommodate twenty-three people—an increase from 16 per day. The additional square footage also brings the facility into compliance with voluntary state standards. The DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION and the State of Iowa’s Senior Living Trust Fund provided more than $192,000 toward the project. Contributions of supporters paid the remainder. (5)

In 2006 a new management team signed an agreement with the Stonehill Franciscan Services. The two-year agreement with Trinity Continuing Care Services of Novi, Michigan included management of Stonehill’s 250-bed nursing home, 46-apartment and five cottage independent living community and adult day care center. Trinity was a member of Trinity Health, the Catholic health system that included MERCY MEDICAL CENTER. (6)

The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution in July, 22008 for a revenue bond to the Stonehill Franciscan project. The resolution approved the issuance and sale of an up-to-$5 million revenue bond to refinance the independent living facility for the independent living facility for the elderly, Assisi Village at Stonehill. Stonehill officials requested the issuer of the bond assist in the further refinancing of the facilities, as well as financing improvements to the nursing and residential care facility. (7) In 2013 Stonehill received one of two 2013 Governor’s Swards for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities awards. (8) That year many of Stonehill’s nearly 300 residents received some form of financial assistance through the Charity Care Program. Fundraising efforts helped Stonehill offer financial assistance to residents and provide free memberships to its fitness center to over 3,000 community members of which two-thirds were 65 years or older. As many as 400 people used the center daily. The facility was open to community members of all ages for a fee of fifteen dollars per month. (9)

In 2013 a recent $11 million expansion by Stonehill led to a 9,000-square-foot expansion in the Stonehill Wellness Center which included a specially constructed pool with a treadmill floor, 57 new private suites, and a specially designed, 16-unit Memory Care Center. (10)

In 2016 Stonehill announced the first-ever federal grant funded dental clinic within a skilled nursing facility. Stonehill officials approached CRESCENT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER about the possibility of expanding dental care. A feasibility study confirmed the need and Crescent received a federal grant for the project through the Delta Dental IA Foundation in April 2015. Stonehill renovated a vacant wing to dental suites and plans called for the first patients to be seen in the fall of 2016. (11)

In 2019 construction began on a $30 million expansion to Stonehill's Assisi Village. The completed project would include 24 new apartment units with ten for assisted-living residents and the rest for those in need of dementia care assisted living. Work will also result in a "four-seasons room" and a large new chapel on the second floor. A "sky-bridge" was planned to link the units to Stonehill Health Center. (12)

In 2024 officials of Stonehill Communities announced the purchase of Windsor Park Retirement Apartments for $8.25 million from Callahan Construction, Inc. The 79-unit building was scheduled for some renovations and updates but would maintain the historic style of the building and maintain the building's more affordable rental units. (13)

Stonehill served the needs of a wide variety of clientele. As an example, a six-week camp for athletes aged 9 and older focused on speed, agility, flexibility, core strength, and running efficiency. A pre- and post-course assessment was made to determine individual improvement. (14) In 2022 Stonehill received $46,000 to pay students in a certified nursing assistant certification program while they were enrolled. (15)

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Source:

1. Blocker, Sue. “Stonehill to Operate Adult Day Care Center,” Telegraph Herald

2. Ibid.

3. Advertisement. Telegraph Herald, September 9, 1999, p. 7

4. Hogstrom, Erik, “Ullrich ‘Ahead of Her Time,” Telegraph Herald, February 8, 2007, p. 1

5. Hogstrom, Eric, “Stonehill Completes Renovation of Adult Center,” Telegraph Herald, September 26, 2001, p. 1

6. Hogstrom, Eric, “Michigan Firm Will Manage Stonehill Franciscan Services,” Telegraph Herald, September 20, 2006, p. 10

7. “Board Oks $5 Million Bond for Stonehill,” Telegraph Herald, July 29, 2008, p. 3

8. “Stonehill Franciscan Services Honored,” Telegraph Herald, September 21, 2013, p. 3

9. “Stonehill Increases Fitness Facility Rates,” Telegraph Herald, December 7, 2013, p. 3

10. Hogstrom, Erik, “Stonehill Seeks to Help Others,” Telegraph Herald, May 10, 2013, p. 3

11. "Stonehill Franciscan Services Partners with Crescent Community Health Center," The Golden View, August 2016, p. 1

12. Montgomery, Jeff, “Crews Break Ground on Stonehill Addition,” Telegraph Herald, October 20, 2019, p. 11

13. Stonehill Purchases Windsor Park Facility," Telegraph Herald, December 1, 2024, p. 4A

14. “Stonehill Camp,” Telegraph Herald, June 23, 2013, p. 36

15. Fisher, Benjamin, "Local Health Care Gets Shot in Arm," Telegraph Herald, April 3, 2022, p. 1