Caroline and Sandy experienced homelessness before moving to Brownstone Terrace, a United Church Homes affordable housing community in Marion, Ohio. Sandy had been sleeping overnight in parks for three months, while Caroline had bounced from one house to another. When Caroline lost her rental apartment due to the landlord selling…
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UCH Board Sees End of Legacy, Welcomes New Member
Sue joined the Board in February 2007 as UCH faced an uncertain future, due to the recession that took a financial toll on the organization. The Board needed to make tough decisions to guide the organization through those difficult times and prepare for a stronger future, she said. Sue’s relationship…
Read More2017: A Year of Opportunity
2017 Board of Directors: Rev. Kathryn Anadein Dr. Trevor Bates Rev. Geoffrey A. Black Rev. Daniel L. Busch Rev. John Cramton Mrs. Suzanne S. Ellis Rev. John Gantt Ms. Cathy Green Mr. James L. Henry Mr. Robert P. Lee* Ms. Sandy Lindahl Mr. Philip E. Mallott Dr. Alan B. Mikesell…
Read MoreResidents Continue Ritual of Giving
Residents of Chapel Hill, Fairhaven, Parkvue and Trinity communities collectively gave more than $20,300 to local, national and international charities in 2017 through worship service collections. This practice has deep meaning for many people who choose to live at United Church Homes. “The residents love to give,” said Rev.…
Read MoreTransforming the Conversation: Weekly Blog Extends UCH Mission, Vision, Values
The goal? To change the way we think about aging in our homes, schools, workplaces, churches, communities and society. Abundant Aging: Transforming the Conversation focuses on transforming aging, including advocacy issues, spirituality and aging, housing- and health-related issues and challenges and opportunities with living longer lives. The writers approach the…
Read MoreFairhaven Community Rededication
In November, United Church Homes celebrated renovations at its flagship location, Fairhaven Community, and launched the public phase of the Campaign for Abundant Life, an effort to raise $20 million over five years. UCH and its supporters celebrated the journey at Fairhaven, blessed the ministry and moved the mission into…
Read MoreA Spiritual Journey: Seven Decades in the Making
Carol moved to Pilgrim Manor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in March 2017 and immediately hit it off with Rev. Beth Rodenhouse, the full-time chaplain. As a faith-based nonprofit organization, United Church Homes is committed to providing full-time chaplains in each of its senior living communities. They foster spiritual wellness for…
Read MoreUCH Welcomes New Board Member, Makes Leadership Changes
Phil is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church with a law practice that has focused on nonprofit institutions including church-related organizations. He graduated from The Ohio State University and Harvard Law School. He was the founding director of the Center for Constitutional Studies and an associate professor of…
Read MoreLongtime Parkvue Leader Retires, Welcoming Back Former Colleague
Ken Keller retired as administrator effective Dec. 15 and Dan Miller was named the new executive director. Over the first quarter-century of Parkvue’s existence, Ken has been a strong leader and friendly face at Parkvue and throughout United Church Homes. Ken began his tenure with United Church Homes in 1989…
Read MoreUCH Partners with Community Foundations to Improve Quality of Life for Residents
Muir Manor partners with many community organizations to improve quality of life for its residents. In 2017, the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, Indiana, partnered with Muir Manor to replace 10 bathroom floors, 11 kitchen floors and bedroom and living room carpet in nine apartments. The foundation awarded a $10,000…
Read MoreThe Three-legged Stool
Often this confusion comes into play because we don’t think we have many worldly possessions, but that is only one piece of the puzzle. Estate planning can be viewed as a three-legged stool, each with a separate and unique purpose. The first leg is the emotional side of planning. This…
Read MoreTrinity Staffer Named Top Activities Professional in Ohio
In October, he received the state’s highest level of recognition for that role. Ron received the Dr. Charles Peckham Sr. Award from Resident Activity Personnel in Ohio, the association for residential activities professionals in senior living communities. Ron, who was elected to serve as RAP Ohio’s 2018 president after…
Read MoreExploring Uplands Village
So, when potential new residents come to visit, they are offered the full guest treatment — three days and two nights in a guest apartment with a full schedule to see what life is like at Uplands. Uplands Village is the latest community to enter a full-service management contract with…
Read MoreFairhaven Chaplain Earns Board Certification to Enhance Ministry
Last fall, Rev. Dr. Rebecca King, chaplain at Fairhaven Community, took her ministry a step further when she was approved as a board-certified chaplain through the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. of the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), a national nonprofit professional association. She was the second United Church Homes…
Read MoreFarmer Finds Abundant Life in Parkvue Community Expansion
Looking over the acreage outside the healthcare center, Bob gets a glimpse of his life in another era. When he moved to Parkvue more than a year ago, Bob was having trouble walking. His physical limitations were contributing to an overall sullen demeanor. He just wasn’t himself. Bob’s life began…
Read MoreVolunteer Breaks through Noise of Alzheimer’s
This type of work is for perseverant and committed individuals who strive to make an impact in the lives of older adults. And every once in a while, they get to experience a breakthrough. Patti Crookston, a resident of Kroft Commons independent living at Chapel Hill Community in Canal Fulton,…
Read MoreFour UCH Communities Receive Wishing Well Awards
United Church Homes awarded more than $16,000 from the Wishing Well Fund to four United Church Homes communities. Salem Manor in Fort Wayne, Indiana, received $4,448 to pay for a new contract with Community Transportation Network (CTN), which provides transportation for residents at the community. Cherry Arbors in North Lewisburg,…
Read MoreTrinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge), Harmar Place Receive Silver National Quality Award
Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) and Harmar Place Rehabilitation and Extended Care Community, both United Church Homes communities, each received a 2017 Silver National Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) and Harmar Place…
Read MoreGlenwood, Harmar Place Name New Chaplain
Rev. Patricia Vargas has been named the new chaplain of Glenwood Community and Harmar Place Rehabilitation and Extended Care, both in Marietta, Ohio. Patricia began her new role Oct. 2. She previously served five years as pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church ELCA in Livingston, California. She also previously served…
Read MoreGlenwood & Harmar Place Receive Readers’ Choice Award
Harmar Place Rehabilitation and Extended Care Community received the Marietta Times’ 2017 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Skilled Nursing & Best Rehabilitation Center. Glenwood Community (The Pines) received the Best Assisted Living Community Award. The communities were recognized as leaders for demonstrating excellence in person-directed care and commitment to quality…
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