There has been hope in the Patagonia community for an assisted living facility so our elderly can live locally and be near family and friends. Helen Chester acted on this hope when she bought the property at 56 Harshaw Road some years back. Unforeseen circumstances stalled the realization of her dream, but recently, she signed the property over to Donald Borham, and was compensated by Borman for the improvements she had made to it, with the provision that it be used to house seniors currently living in the Mountain Empire region.
For 20 years, Donald Borham managed a nonprofit housing department in Minnesota. After moving to Arizona he worked another 14 years in housing finance. He left finance to pursue a career in the medical field and is blending his work history into a new vision for senior housing. Mr. Borham has completed the schooling and licensing to become a certified nursing assistant and certified caregiver. He has worked the last two years in a long term care/sub-acute nursing facility. As the new owner of the property, Borham opens the doors of the home at 56 Harshaw Road on January 1, as private or semi-private housing for up to four seniors.
In order to have a state licensed facility, Patagonia must establish its need for an assisted living facility to the state. Until then, the home will operate as senior rental. Seniors living in the home can arrange for food preparation, housekeeping, laundry services, and share the expense of a single caregiver. Health-related services are available locally through Patagonia Assisted Care as well as through other independent businesses such as Lutheran Social Services, Dependable Health Services or others located in Nogales and Sierra Vista.
Once it becomes clear that our community can maintain an assisted living facility, with licensing in place for the home and for Borham as facility manager, the home will be fully functional in that capacity and can offer health-related services through the facility itself. In the meantime, another step has been taken toward establishing a facility for assisted living to Patagonia’s senior residents.
All interested seniors, their family and friends are invited to an Open House on January 11, from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. at 56 Harshaw Road. Refreshments will be served.