When asked what he enjoys about working with the residents at Birch Haven Senior Living, an Assisted Living Facility in Ashland, Wisconsin, Dale replied "I can see myself in them. I am no different than they are in fact am probably just about 20 years away from becoming a resident myself. I enjoy talking with the residents and their families and knowing that we are providing a service for our seniors and community here in the Chequamegon Bay area.
"At Birch Haven, we offer a community of four separate homes: Bear's Hollow, Timber's Edge, Falcon's Crest, and Eagle's Ridge. Our community homes are small in size which means each of our residents will receive individual attention to their daily needs Along with that, we offer services for the elderly who have special needs such as: physical disabilities, mental illness, dementia, and depression and/or anxiety." In addition to this community, we offer apartment style living at Birch Haven North located in Washburn, Wisconsin.
Not originally from the Ashland area, Dale’s mother is which was a familiar place to visit while he was growing up in Bloomer, Wisconsin. Soon after graduating from Martin Luther Prep School, Dale served 24 years in the United States Military with the U.S. Army Reserves. During those years he served in the Infantry (mortar), as a combat medic and also as a nurse. When asked why he joined the military, Dale replied "It was just something that I always knew I was going to do." In November of 2010 he retired from the military.
During his time in the military and after retiring from his service, Dale has completed his Associate of the Arts Degree, UW - Superior, Mankato State University and then Moraine Park Technical College in Beaver Dam where he graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in May, 2000. Soon after that Dale completed his BS - Liberal Arts degree at Excelsior College in 2003, and also finished his MS Degree in Training Development through UW - Stout in 2013.
Dales past career endeavors include working for Lutheran Social Services in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for 14 years where he worked as a Care Provider, Lead, and then as Manager where he directed three Group Homes for residents with developmental disabilities, and/or mental illness. Other duties included: working at a drop-in center for people with mental illness, liaison for the Northern Center Behavioral Team and serving as the Regional Training Coordinator. Later, he worked for 3 years at Mount Washington, a 54-bed Assisted Living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin as the Health and Personal Care Supervisor. Then he was able to relocate to Ashland where he worked as a Medical Assistance Hub Supervisor until July, 2011 when he was given the opportunity as the Administrator at Birch Haven Senior living. In 2014, Dale purchased Birch Haven Senior living.
When asked what is unique about Birch Haven Senior Living, Dale replied, "It's the home like atmosphere. We cook meals right in the buildings which are set up to feel like home, not a "facility". We also provide local medical transportation, we can handle a wide variety of needs and we work with Medical Assistance. Our staff is dedicated to the residents and their care. We have a GREAT team, we are part of a community, not a corporation. We have 2 Nurses working daily and on 24-hours-per-day. We also work with the local health care providers in the area to include the Memorial Medical in town and shop locally when we can.
When Dale is not busy caring for the senior population at Birch Haven Senior Living, he enjoys spending time with his two children Gabriel and Claire at their cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin. He also enjoys hunting , fishing and time in the outdoors.
If you are interested in more information about Birch Haven Senior Living, please feel free to contact Dale at 715-682-2414, e-mail: dalekelm@hotmail.com, or simply stop in at 218 - 22nd Avenue W., Ashland, Wisconsin 54806.