Eventide executive director Emily Kollar says one of the innovations at The Linden, the expanded senior living facility on Eighth Street, is the introduction of restaurant-style dining. (Photo/Russ Hanson)
Nancy Edmonds Hanson
Senior living arrangements have changed a great deal since Eventide began caring for elders in 1951. The opening of its new assisted living apartments on Eighth Street South brings the latest innovations onto its campus – one that bears more resemblance to the hospitality industry, with its upscale hotels, than the older kind of elder care that dates back three generations.
“Probably the biggest innovation is in how we handle dining,” says Emily Kollar, who became the executive director of Moorhead’s four Eventide facilities in June. “We’re moving from serving meals cafeteria-style to a professional restaurant model.” A continental breakfast is offered each day, along with changing menus for lunch and dinner. Room service is also available.
“Senior living has truly progressed from the older style of adult services to reflect today’s lifestyles,” the Alexandria, Minnesota, native continues. “People have an evolving desire for the kinds of amenities they expect today.”
That includes the introduction of a hair salon on site, along with a theater and a BYOB pub for watching sporting events and relaxing.
The new facility, now welcoming its first residents, adds 73 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments to the south of the older 98-unit Linden Tree Circle facility, with quarters ranging from 475 to 1,516 square feet. Another 18 units are earmarked for memory care. It brings the total complex, which has been rebranded simply as The Linden, to 189 residences.
One of the first visual changes potential tenants will see, Emily says, is the higher ceilings and wider doorways in the new buildings. “The finishes are more modern, along with other contemporary touches,” she notes. Appliances include washers, dryers and roomy balconies, and some feature fireplaces. Utilities and cable television are included in the rent. Weekly housekeeping is provided. There’s heated underground parking, too.
The building is staffed around the clock by a professional caregiving staff, and residents have the security of an emergency call system. Services can be added as individuals want or need – medicine administration, laundry and additional housekeeping.
Small pets are allowed at The Linden, Emily says, with proof of vaccination and a $500 deposit.
Emily has worked with Eventide since May 2019, when she arrived as an intern to work with president Jon Riewer. A graduate of Concordia College, her bachelor’s studies focused on business with a concentration on health-care leadership and long-term care administration. She went on to earn her master’s in health-care administration at the University of Minnesota. She was hired as associate director of the four Moorhead facilities in February and promoted in June.
The older programs under her administration include the anchor of the campus, Eventide on Eighth Care Center, plus the Eventide Living Center Apartments and the Eventide Fairmont assisted living complex in downtown Moorhead. “I’ve enjoyed the learning process of completing The Linden and merging it with our existing facilities,” she says.
For information on living at The Linden, an online virtual tour and to schedule a visit, call 218.233.7508.
