A typical room includes an adjustable bed with linens, a chair for visitors, a bedside table, a dresser, a closet, and a bathroom. Each room has a view of the beautiful, park-like grounds. Residents are encouraged to bring in treasured photos and other small items, as well as their favorite quilt or afghan. Smoking is permitted in our indoor smoking room and outdoors only.

Staff nurses provide clinical assessment, medication administration, wound treatment, assistance with IVs and tracheotomies, dementia care, and palliative end-of-life care. Staff nurses maintain open communication with attending physicians to allow prompt intervention as physical conditions may change. Nursing staff includes RNs, LPNs, and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

Residents love our homemade foods that include fried chicken, soups, pizza, and fresh-baked breads. We also have a barbecue once a week during the summer months. Residents may choose from a menu of two entrée options, plus salads and sandwiches for each meal. Soda is available all day at our free soda machine. For a reasonable fee, guests are welcome to join residents for any meal.

For residents with specific nutritional needs, we provide in-house dietary planning by our registered dietician. All MediLodge dieticians participate in ongoing training in the latest research and techniques for assisting our aged population. In addition, for those residents who need a little help during meals, we provide restorative dining therapy. This allows residents to participate in mealtimes while receiving the nutritious food, eating assistance, and encouragement that often helps them recover their functioning more quickly.

We realize that family and resident involvement is the key to a positive experience at MediLodge of Hillman. Our staff works closely with residents and families from admission to discharge, to assist each person according to their individual needs. When our residents leave, we offer help with discharge planning and making arrangements for obtaining needed adaptive equipment, clothing, and personal items.

MediLodge of Hillman’s beautiful garden atmosphere sends a euphoric feeling through to the souls of our residents. A calming environment with plants and animals provides soothing therapy. This area is enclosed with walkways, plants, vegetables, fruits, swings, trellises, and our sensational flowing waterfall.

As an adjunct to skilled therapy, restorative nursing offers services to promote independence via programs such as movement, range of motion exercises, and restorative dining. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists help residents rehabilitate as much as possible, especially after a stroke or hip fracture. Our rehab department has a Universal Cabinet—the only one in Northern Michigan—that is used extensively for all types of therapy. This multi-functional space can be configured to isolate the area—hip, knee, shoulder, etc.— that needs attention with less discomfort than other types of therapeutic devices. For residents, this means they can work a little longer during their therapy sessions, which helps them regain functioning. Some residents like it so much they come in and work out during their free time.

Our board-certified physical, occupational, and speech therapists help residents rehabilitate as much as possible, especially after a stroke or hip fracture. Therapists, nursing staff, and social services work closely with our Activities team to ensure that each resident receives coordinated, holistic attention designed to help them improve throughout every day of their stay.

As an adjunct to skilled therapy, restorative nursing offers services to promote independence via programs such as movement, range of motion exercises, and restorative dining. For those residents who need a little help during meals, we provide restorative dining therapy three times daily (with each meal). This allows residents to participate in mealtimes while receiving the nutritious food, eating assistance, and encouragement that often helps them recover their functioning more quickly.

Rooms are cleaned daily and fresh linens are provided as needed. Personal laundry is washed free of charge for Medicare and Medicaid residents; for private pay residents there is a nominal fee.

Our residents have therapeutic, interesting activities scheduled and available seven days per week, throughout the day, as well as in the evening. These activities are based on current resident interests and previously enjoyed leisure pursuits, lifestyle, and hobbies. Loneliness and boredom are not options at our facility. For more information, see Life at MediLodge

Our residents enjoy getting out of the building to attend local events, go out for lunch, or just to pick up a few things at the store. We provide the van to transport them…and they provide the ideas about where they’d like to go. Learn more about our outings on the Life at MediLodge page.

Living with dementia can be confusing, overwhelming, and upsetting. Realizing that, MediLodge of Hillman provides the Harbor Unit, an area dedicated to residents with mid- to late-stage dementia. With a structured day program and special activities, residents of this area have maintained functioning longer than they might without such interventions. And when a resident is having a difficult day, one of our specially-trained staff members can help them relax in our Snoozellen room, a quiet, tranquil space that features an underwater mural, low lighting, ocean sounds, and aromatherapy. This combination of daily routines, special activities, and a calm environment has helped our 30 residents enjoy their days while minimizing their stress.

The services listed below are available to residents via outside providers. To receive these services, a physician order is necessary. Once provided, the services will be billed (when possible) to insurance, then an invoice for the remainder will be billed to the family or Medicaid if applicable.