Odgen Standard Examiner Article

Farr West nurse runs care 

home out of her residence

By Jamie Lampros, Standard-Examiner correspondent

Friday, December 10, 2010 - 11:04pm

FARR WEST -- Pamela Logan Hawkes said you don't really know a person until you have lived with them.

That's why she decided to turn her home into a private care skilled nursing facility.

Hawkes, who is a registered nurse, runs Memory Lane Care Home out of her private residence. She wants to take care of her patients in a home-like environment so they feel like they are part of her own family.

"In getting to know our residents, it allows me to understand and provide for their needs in not only a unique nursing perspective, but also on a one-on-one basis," Hawkes said. "I truly love to hear and learn about each of my residents' life stories. Each one has a unique and memorable history."

Hawkes started working in private home care as a teenager, assisting her mother. When she became a nurse she continued providing care in both long-term care facilities and as an agency home health care nurse. She also ran a private skilled nursing care facility in Cache Valley.

Memory Lane Care Home, which opened in September, offers 24-hour nursing coverage that includes four certified nursing assistants and two nurses, Hawkes said. The facility is allowed to provide full-time skilled nursing care to three residents. Respite, wound and rehabilitative care also are provided in addition to daily activities, field trips, home-cooked meals and a physician who makes house calls. The facility also follows state-approved policies and procedures.

The home, all on one level, features a large living area and front room with a piano. The open, spacious rooms have a fireplace and large-screen TV for evening movies and popcorn. The kitchen/dining area is equipped and roomy enough to allow residents to help prepare meals, if they desire, Hawkes said. There is also a spacious backyard with a covered deck.

"We are the only private-care skilled nursing facility in Northern Utah. There are two in St. George," she said. "I use the term facility professionally, because equally, this is a private nursing home atmosphere."

Before she could open her business, Hawkes had to obtain permission from the Farr West City Council.

"Being the first and only residential private care skilled nursing facility in the area, the city of Farr West had no ordinances in place to allow us to do business," Hawkes said. "We worked through the process with the city and were given approval for licensure in June."

Deanna Williams, who teaches nursing at Weber State University, said her mother, Betty Peterson, 91, is a resident at the nursing home.

"I absolutely love it," said Williams. "My mother had a stroke and has had some short-term memory problems, and since she has been with Pam, she has improved so much. I think it's a wonderful place and I couldn't be more thrilled."

Hawkes said the facility also provides competitive skilled nursing home care rates. Semi-private rates are $5,000 per month. A private room is $5,300 per month. The only other daily out-of-pocket expenses that may be needed are for personal care items, medications and assistive aide devices such as wheelchairs and walkers. The facility also accepts private insurance or private pay.

The facility is at 1295 N. 1700 West. If interested, call Hawkes at 435-881-2679 or e-mail her at memorylanecarehome@gmail.com.

Fun times at MLCH

Betty enjoying the piano

Baby Eli and big sister Carla visit MLCH

Grandson's Sky and Grant enjoying the beautiful pond in the backyard

Get to know Pam..

Pamela Hawkes is originally from upstate New York. She grew up in a large family on a milking dairy farm. She started working in the Health Care Industry at an early age. She worked with her Mother as a Private Care Aide in Private Duty as a teenager. She loved the personal care and "Going the extra mile" motto that she was able to apply with her patients in the smaller health care settings. 

It was in New York where she met her first husband George Doxstader. Pam and George had 5 children. Pam received her nursing education in New York a few years after her husband unexpectedly passed away. She continued her nursing career and education to include Geriatric Studies and Nutrition. She then worked in a large nursing home, but fell in love with the one-on-one care that she experienced while working Home Health as a Private Nurse. She moved to beautiful Cache Valley for the benefit of her chldren 15 years ago.

While in Cache Valley, Pam owned and operated Country Garden Retreat, also a Private Care Nursing Home. After marrying Dave Hawkes, whom is a Land Surveyor, they settled in a quiet, friendly neighborhood in Farr West, Utah where she has opened Memory Lane Care Home. 

Pam enjoys being outside enjoying nature, gardening, hiking, biking and doing winter sports. Her hobbies include (but are not limited to): knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, wood-working, painting, cooking/inventing new recipes, sewing and attending musical and social events.

Her 2 miniature Yorkies are often mistaken for being felines since they love to be close by and spend quiet time with the residents and family. 

She also keeps a backyard flock of chickens that are entertainment to all. 

Pam's children are grown now and all live close enough to have frequent family get-togethers....

.....that include an ever-growing number of members including 7 grandchildren, which are a delight to have visit with her and her residents. 

Pam's 2 sons are in the United States Military and are both currently deployed to the Middle East. They are greatly missed, but loved and supported by family and many friends. We eagerly await their return home.

We have just opened our doors of Memory Lane Care Home. We are accepting residents in our Private Care Nursing Home, in which we have a capacity of just 3 residents.... We are a unique skilled nursing care home in that we provide dignified and loving 24 hour nursing level care for your loved one in our residential home. Included are all the same services provided by large care homes, but with an emphasis on personal one-on-one care. Alzheimer, transitional care, rehabilitative care, respite and day care are available.

For information call


Pam Hawkes @ 435-881-2679.

memorylanecarehome@gmail.com