Shelter's Inn

I visited this facility

This is a six-bed board and care, located near a park and a community center and two blocks from a junior college.

The residents, who are developmentally disabled, can range in age from18 to 59 years old. Currently, there are all female residents, who are about 40 and older, and who interact well with one another. The residents here are more high-functioning than in most board and cares.

What’s unique about this facility is that it’s located in a converted house, and the owner lives here as her personal residence. The rooms are motel-sized—and each has a queen-size bed and plenty of closet space.

There are many common areas for residents to enjoy. The garage area has been converted to a rec room; there is also a day patio in the front of the house, where residents tend to gather and read. Residents can also bring guests to a day room downstairs. There’s a beautiful yard in front and back, landscaped and planted with fruit trees. There are also some organized activities, such as a movie nights, for entertainment.

One helper comes in regularly. A doctor comes in if needed, but many residents go out to their doctor appointments, as well as out in the community.

The owner does all the cooking and provides much of the care—and the food is very tasty and homey. Residents also help out with grocery shopping. There is a big dining room and owner sits down to eat with the residents; she seems like a surrogate mom to many of them.

There is very seldom a vacancy here—and the last two people who left were able to go to their own living environments. This place truly provides in-home training for the residents, along with the hope they can live independently.