ML Senior Living Community preparing to open

Facility in process of final licensing

It's looked like it's been standing still for quite a while, but not for much longer.

In about two weeks, the Moses Lake Senior Living Community, located at 8425 Aspi Boulevard NE, will open for business.

"We're in the process of being licensed," said Renee Pryor, community relations coordinator for the Moses Lake Senior Living Community. "We've been waiting for our licensing. There's a long process to be licensed, and we're waiting for our final inspection."

She estimated that construction on the building began in December 2002.

"The licensing process takes quite a while," agreed administrator Stacey Gurley. "It has to go through several different stages before it comes to the local stage."

There was no set date for the facility's opening at press time, but Gurley said she had talked to licensing, which was approximating an opening in two weeks.

"I think it's a great addition to Moses Lake," Gurley said. "(The location) is going to be a great area that's developing in the future. It's close to the college, close to the airport and still close to town."

The organization holds luncheons on Wednesdays for seniors to come in and get familiar with the surroundings, Pryor said.

There are 70 units in the facility, some of which are one-bedroom rooms for couples. Some people who are interested in living there have already reserved rooms.

"As far as reservations are concerned, we're about two-thirds of the way full," Pryor said. "There's definitely been a lot of interest, and the need is here. Because we're on the base, we seem to get a lot of inquiries from Ephrata, because it's not that far."

The center can keep a person until they are fully bed-ridden and unable to feed themselves, which would require a move to a skilled nursing center, Pryor said.

"It's assisted living, so a care giver is going to be on staff 24 hours a day," Pryor said. "(A resident) doesn't necessarily have to have a need; maybe they just don't want to cook for themselves any more, maybe they want some companionship, socialization, things like that. I've found that that's where most people are at. But just in case something happens, then somebody would be here for them."

The community includes a dining room, a private dining room for family celebrations, a lounge, a room with a piano, laundry rooms on each floor, a beauty parlor and an ice cream parlor.

"It doesn't really look like a nursing home or anything like that," Pryor said of the new facilities. "That's our niche, hopefully, in the community: It's going to be a place where they can come, go and feel comfortable and still be independent. They can have their own car, we allow pets, stuff like that and decorate their room anyway they want. It makes it feel like it's their home."

Pryor said that the other facilities for senior citizens in Moses Lake are almost always full, so there is a need for the Senior Living Community in the community.

"We would like to invite the public to come out, take a tour and get to know us," Gurley said, noting that interested people can call the community at 762-9115 or just stop by.