The closing of the Mercy Care Center in Watertown has left Jefferson County scrambling, trying to come up with more homes for those in need of assisted living. And while Samaritan Medical Center begins construction on a massive facility just outside Watertown, a much smaller building has just opened in the city. Our Brian Dwyer takes a look at the new Lodge at Ives Hill.

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WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- With just 18 apartment-like units, it's not the solution but it is helping to get there.

Jefferson County needs to permanently replace the couple hundred assisted living spots it lost when the Mercy Care Center shut down.

And as the county waits for a nearly 300 bed facility to be constructed by Samaritan Medical Center, there comes some good news, the Lodge at Ives Hill opened its doors this week.

Kerry Roberge, Lodge at Ives Hill Board President said, “I think we have the latest and greatest in opportunities here for the residents to enjoy. I think that the safety here has been built in and a lot of care has been taken to ensure the quality of life for anyone living here."

Functioning as something between a nursing home and community care, the Lodge is being billed as "enriched housing". There's a full time nursing staff on site and residents are provided three meals a day, as well as socialization programs.

Administration says no matter the needs, there is room in the Lodge for everyone.

Paula Edwards, RD Director said, “So you might have one individual that only needs one aspect of their daily living assisted, might be medications or the next person might just need assistance with maybe they're not able to cook for themselves anymore."

And Edwards said it's the fact that the Lodge is smaller that makes it a great place to live.

Edwards, RD Director said, “Again, it's 18 units, so it's a small setting and a small staff. There's that specialization factor there. They can get to know the staff and we can get to know them."

The rooms run about $4,000 to $5,000 a month, but staff says long-term care insurance will help cover some of it. And rooms are available.

Each room in the Lodge has a pull string emergency lever that sends a direct message to the nursing staff's pager.

For more information, visit the Lodge at Ives Hill website at the www.iveshilllodge.com.