Local residents no longer have to travel outside of Bowling Green for inpatient care at a hospice
facility.
Bridge Home Health & Hospice has officially opened its spacious eight-bed wing, called the Bridge
Hospice Care Center. It is adjacent to Heritage Corner Health Care Campus on Klotz Road.
According to Community Service Representative Machelle Sleek, the wing was already completed when an open
house was held in mid-August, the same time Heritage held an open house to celebrate its latest
expansion.
"We wanted the community to tour the facility and not disturb patients," she explained.
What Bridge lacked at that time were the state certifications to allow it to officially open and begin
admitting hospice clients. That included Medicaid/Medicare certification, policies and procedures
approval from the Ohio Department of Health and a Life Safety inspection.
Full state approval was achieved in December, allowing Bridge to begin admitting patients earlier this
month.
"We honestly did not expect this process to take as long as it did," stated Sleek.
Now that the facility has patients, interested persons may call Bridge’s office at (419) 352-9808 to
arrange for a private tour.
Dr. Daniel Dawley is the physician for the unit.
The wing contains a large gathering room with a kitchenette; a brightly-colored children’s play room;
eight large private rooms; a whirlpool tub for clients; a meditation room; an outdoor courtyard; and
facilities for family members.
During the facility’s open house in August it was noted three types of patients will be served: Those who
come for symptom and pain control but then return to the residence of their choice; those admitted to
give their caretakers a short respite of several days; and those who choose the care center for their
pain management and to die with dignity.
Bridge partnered with Heritage Corner in this endeavor, beginning talks more than four years ago.
Heritage will provide culinary and housekeeping services to Bridge’s care center, as well as access to
therapy and its beauty salon.
Sleek said Bridge also partnered with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, keeping business local
instead of persons traveling to nearby cities with hospice care centers.
She stressed hospice care is now available in the hometown of local residents, which is especially
important for visitors when there is inclement weather.