BEACON SENIOR NEWS
By Jan Weeks
W
hen Becki Siemers left her job at La Villa Grande Care Center in Grand Junction for another position at Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville, Colorado, she didn’t dream she would soon be in the midst of one of the biggest disasters in the state. The licensed nursing home administrator had worked in the Grand Junction area for over 28 years, and in April 2021, she moved to the facility on the Front Range. On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire swept across 6,000 acres, fueled by drought-dried vegetation and 100 mile-per-hour wind gusts. The Balfour community staff went into emergency mode, relocating residents as they watched the fire race closer. Assisted living residents were evacuated to a facility in Boulder, and those requiring skilled nursing care went to a facility in Arvada.
Caregivers caring for
caregivers
LaVilla Grande Care Center helped Boulderarea seniors and staff in wake of Marshall Fire Fortunately, the Balfour building was spared, and residents and staff were able to return the next day. Both staff and residents were mentally and physically exhausted, and one employee, and several family members of others, lost everything to the fire. La Villa Grande Administrator Lisa Smith and her staff reached out immediately, sending good wishes and prayers. Then, on March 14, 2022, a representative from La Villa Grande arrived in Louisville
From our side of the mountain to yours…
! h c u m y er v ou y k n a Th La Villa Grande Care Center Staff, Residents and Families!
On December 30, 2021, the residents at Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville, Colorado had to be quickly evacuated due to a rapidly spreading wildfire in their backyard. La Villa Grande Care Center in Grand Junction reached out immediately but were too far away to offer anything more than supportive thoughts and kind words. Our luck changed in March, 2022 when the La Villa Grande staff delivered a treasure chest with daily surprises for our residents and staff, including gift cards for an employee that lost her home in the fire. 24 | MAY 2022 |
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ASSISTED LIVING
SKILLED NURSING
303-926-1000
1855 Plaza Drive | Louisville, CO 80027 balfourcare.com
