Aase Haugen Senior Services is considering other developments on the 86 acres of land around Vennehjem

It you take a look at the architect's drawing of the proposed new Aase Haugen Nursing Home across the street from Vennehjem in the Highland Drive neighborhood, it isn't long before one feature jumps out at you--the nursing home isn't the only facility shown on the map.

Aase Haugen Executive Director Jeffrey Schmidt says the Aase Haugen board is also looking at the possibility of adding an assisted living facility, specialized dementia-care services, post-acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing services.
Schmidt says the idea is to provide all the amenities sought by Decorah's senior community.

That means going beyond the services offered by a nursing home.  Aase Haugen already has senior living facilities at Vennehjem and is now developing a number of "patio homes" for active seniors on property to the east of Vennehjem.

Other possibilities for the property include a wellness center and a pre-school and daycare center.  Schmidt says those facilities would not only serve clients of Aase Haugen Senior Services, but staff members as well--making it easier to recruit new staff members.