Alpena care homes see more residents living well into their 90s and 100s

ALPENA - Having a dozen or more residents over the age 90 has become the norm at Besser Senior Living, administrator Ann Cosbitt said.

Local care homes report that more people are reaching advanced ages with support from modern medicine, social connections, and individualized care.

Cosbitt, who has been at the 52-bed assisted living and memory care community for a little more than three years, said longevity among residents is multifactorial.

"There's a lot that goes into their health care," she said. "Now we have more modern health care, they have more access to care, and there's more access to medications."

She added that socialization is especially important at Besser.

"Being part of something, a feeling of belonging -- we are not only here to work for them in their home, but we become their family, and likewise, they become our family," Cosbitt said. "Keeping people active and involved, medication management, the daily interactions, it really all plays a part of it. It's not just one individual thing."

The community is home to two married couples who have been together more than 70 years, including Arlington and Faith Black, who have been married for 72 years. Love, staff, and residents often say, is part of what keeps them going.

Residents arrive at all ages and stages, Cosbitt said, and the facility individualizes care based on each person's needs. Staff across departments, which includes housekeeping, maintenance, and dietary, are expected to help with resident care and watch for early signs of change.

"That early recognition that somebody needs some additional assistance or that they've had a medical change in condition, gives us the opportunity to then quickly move into action," Cosbitt said. "We are their eyes and ears. We are that advocate for them."

Cosbitt said the facility collaborates with outside providers, including Alcona Health Centre facilities, whose staff see residents quarterly in their rooms. A traveling podiatrist visits every 10 weeks, and partners in physical therapy and hospice. Families have 24/7 access even when doors are locked, and the community allows pets.

"We definitely invite collaboration here, and that's huge as well," she said. "The more eyes and ears on a resident, the better."

The community recently celebrated a resident's 105th birthday. Cosbitt said such events are meaningful because some residents in their 90s and beyond have outlived many friends and family members.

"We want to celebrate their life events with them. We want to celebrate everything with them. We want to make them feel special," she said.

Before joining Besser, Cosbitt worked 26 years at a hospital, including 19 years in surgical services, as well as roles in quality and safety, intensive care management and as director of inpatient rehab. She described the work at Besser as rewarding.

"It's a privilege and it's an honor for us to be able to provide care to these residents," she said. "It's an honor that they trust us to provide this care. It's an honor to be their advocate."

Resident Sanford Wright, 93, has lived at Besser for about two and a half years. A former pastor at Spruce Presbyterian Church for 17 years, he came to Alpena in 1962, lived briefly in Florida in 1987 and returned. He previously volunteered in the hospice unit and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which is now in remission.

Wright enjoys talking with friends by phone, working on jigsaw puzzles, playing bingo and writing weekly notes to his grandchildren, who call him regularly. He gets out twice a week for activities such as church and belongs to a group of retired professionals. Once a month he visits his wife's grave in Spruce. His daughter teaches Spanish in Milwaukee. In earlier years he played golf, bowled, played softball and enjoyed camping.

"The staff is remarkable; they go above and beyond," Wright said.

At Touch of Country Care Home in Alpena, owner Charlotte Vassallo said her average resident has been 92 for the past decade.

"I guess the obvious differences compared to someone a little younger is physically. They become feebler and need more assistance," Vassallo said. "I also notice that when it comes to food, they start becoming a little bit more particular about what tastes good to them."

She added that for those with dementia or Alzheimer's, it typically increases in their 90s.

Cosbitt said the goal is not simply to add years, but to support residents as they continue living meaningfully.

"We celebrate life events, birthdays, anniversaries and holidays with them, and we watch them age in a way that is healthy and supported," she said. "It's a privilege to be part of that."