Save Our Island Home
In the heart of our beloved Nantucket lies a true gem: Our Island Home, the only skilled nursing facility on the island. Since 1910, it has stood as a testament to our community’s commitment to caring for its elderly residents and providing them with the quality care they deserve. However, with the existing building aging and potentially becoming uninhabitable, we face a pressing decision that will shape the future of elder care on the island.
This mini-podcast series was produced to share first-hand accounts of those who advocate for Our Island Home.
Podcast 1
Stephanie Serra, Director of Programming at NCTV interviews with Diana Graves. Diana has worked as a teacher at Nantucket Public Schools for 30 years as a Teacher of the Deaf, middle school, elementary school, and math intervention teacher. She has served for several years on the Nantucket Commission for Disabilities. Her mother is a resident of Our Island Home.
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Episode Two
Frances Ruley Karttunen (Fran) grew up on Nantucket and graduated from Nantucket Public School. She is an American academic linguist, historian, and author. She joins co-host Stephanie Serra, Director of Programming, NCTV to tell her story about Our Island Home and provide valuable insights.
When Fran entered her teens, her mother became disabled by multiple sclerosis, and Fran was her mother’s primary caregiver. When she left for college, her mother became a resident of Our Island Home. After an academic career, Fran returned full-time to Nantucket with her husband, Alfred Crosby, in 1999. A year later, Al was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
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Why Our Island Home Matters to Nantucket
The Reality Island Residents Face
The reality is stark. With a new nursing home building, we can retain a vital service that many Nantucket residents rely on. Construction costs have indeed risen; the average small cottage build is over $1 million in contrast to a skilled nursing home, but the cost of inaction for a new skilled nursing home could be far more significant. Imagine having to send loved ones off the island for their care — away from family, friends, and the community they love.
The Cost of Inaction
Yes, building a new nursing home will add less than $300 to the average Nantucket homeowner’s property tax. But can we afford not to take this step forward? Supporting the construction of a new Our Island Home is an investment in our community, our elders, and, ultimately, our shared values.
This has been brought to you by The Friends of Our Island Home, a project of the Community Foundation for Nantucket. This campaign is managed and funded in part by Mind’s Eye Communications. Special thanks to the Dreamland Theater and Nantucket Community Television (NCTV) for their assistance with our Public Forum. This podcast series was produced by NCTV.
Stand with Friends of Our Island Home
Friends of Our Island Home is dedicated to advocating for the residents of our only skilled nursing home. We are not affiliated with the Town of Nantucket or its objectives; our sole focus is ensuring that our seniors continue to receive the compassionate care they deserve right here on the island.