The book was co-authored by Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, executive director of United Church Homes’ Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging; Rev. J. Bennett “Ben” Guess, executive director of ACLU Ohio and former vice president of the United Church of Christ’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM); Jan…
Read Morespirit
A History of Service: Veteran to Volunteer
In July, United Church Homes presented Roger with the Spirit Award for his volunteer work at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) in Fairborn, Ohio. “It was a nice surprise. It was an honor,” said Roger, 55, of Fairborn. “I was just doing it to be pleasing to the…
Read MoreUCH to sponsor NBC’s A Journey Through Alzheimer’s
I Want to Go Home; A Journey Through Alzheimer’s, hosted by WCMH-TV (NBC4) anchor Colleen Marshall, began in 2008 when her mother was battling the disease. Colleen’s mother died in 2016. She said she hopes the special helps families to find the comfort they need. UCH leaders decided to co-sponsor…
Read MoreGenerations Unite
Kay Strank, who has a smartphone, laptop and tablet, knows firsthand how Skype can be used to keep in touch with family members. Now, the 76-year-old is part of an intergenerational program at Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge) in Fairborn, Ohio, that uses Skype, a video conferencing app,…
Read MoreExperiencing iN2L Engagement Technology
For the past month, Activities Director Jean Ann Moshier has been using It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L) in therapy sessions with individuals with dementia and in group activities with other older adults at the community to help bring back memories, improve communication skills, address problem behaviors and provide recreational activity.…
Read MorePresident’s Award Honors Servant Leadership
“I’m very thankful and grateful, but I don’t know that it should have been me. I was just doing my job,” Crystal said. UCH President and CEO Rev. Kenneth Daniel presented Crystal with the award at a Donor Appreciation Dinner in July in Beavercreek, Ohio. The award celebrates people who…
Read MoreFaith and Community Amid Hurricane Irma
But Barbara Garcia, 74, refused to leave because of her faith in God. “I trusted Him to keep me safe,” Barbara said. Cypress Run is one of six affordable housing communities owned or managed by United Church Homes in Florida. Barbara was among a handful of Cypress Run residents who…
Read MoreAbundant Aging in the 21st Century | 2017 Symposium
About 170 people attended the event with keynote speaker Dr. Laura Carstensen, professor of psychology at Stanford University and the founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity in Stanford, California. Panelists included Linda Mauger, Optimized Care Network; Jo Dee Davis, Healing Broken Circles; Rev. Mark W. Frey, United Church…
Read MoreAbundant Life
United Church Homes recently completed a more than $7 million, multiyear restoration project to enhance Fairhaven. The makeover included new resident rooms, a new memory support neighborhood, a new therapy center, a facelift for the auditorium, a renovated chapel and a renewal of the outside courtyard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n79MvH-bY_A A Ministry of…
Read MoreUCH Honors a Genuine Renaissance Woman
“I was just stunned. I know another woman who got it years ago who was a big contributor. But I’m not even close to that. I never thought of myself as a big contributor. I never did it to get an award,” Maryalice said. Maryalice, 98, of Orrville, Ohio, was…
Read MoreCouple Played Key Role in United Church Homes Acquisition
United Church Homes faced opposition and concern from some Glenwood Community residents when the nonprofit organization sought to acquire the community from Memorial Health System. But Roger and Sally Roberts, who have lived at Glenwood for seven years and have been leaders on the residents’ council, helped to convince others…
Read MoreChapel Hill Chaplain Retires After 16 Years
For 16 years, she has been the chaplain at Chapel Hill Community, a United Church Homes life plan community in Canal Fulton, Ohio, where she has officiated three weddings, six baptisms, 190 funerals and more than 800 Sunday worship services and Bible studies. Sandy’s last day as chaplain was June…
Read MoreA Message for Community Support
My grandmother was living in the memory care neighborhood of a senior care community. It was convenient for me to see her before and after work. She had dementia and would become very confused. On occasion, she would refuse to take her medicine. Despite the struggles the staff faced, they…
Read MoreBOOM! Geo Leaves Imprint on UCH
George Schaefer, known by his friends as Geo, launched the award-winning Spirit magazine along with his colleague, Gloria Hurwitz, then vice president of advancement. Spirit magazine is the signature communication UCH uses to engage its growing number of stakeholders. Geo helped coin the organization’s new mission, vision and core values…
Read MoreJim Henry, Alan Mikesell Recognized for Board Service
When Alan Mikesell and James “Jim” Henry joined United Church Homes’ Board of Directors in 2006, the organization was struggling financially and tough decisions needed to be made for UCH to survive. Alan and Jim agree the organization’s financial outlook began to change after the Board named Rev. Kenneth Daniel…
Read MoreUCH Welcomes New Executives to Grow Mission
Linda began her role at Glenwood in Marietta, Ohio, on April 26. She wanted to be a part of United Church Homes because of its mission, vision and values. In addition, Linda is extremely excited about working at Glenwood, which offers independent and assisted living services and has an active…
Read MoreCovenant Service: Pilgrim Manor Joins UCH
The service was part of a relatively new tradition at UCH to welcome new communities into the organization. During the ceremony, staff from UCH, Pilgrim Manor, the United Church of Christ and the churches that founded Pilgrim Manor wove together fabric that symbolized the hymn Blest Be the Tie That…
Read MoreWomen Find Love, Friendship, Family at Parkvue
As an infant, Georgianna was placed in two foster homes. She moved to a county children’s home before returning to her parents’ home, where she says she was verbally and physically abused by her mother. “It was horrible. My mother didn’t want me at all,” Georgianna, 79, said. The mother…
Read MoreBaby Shower: A Perfect Gift for Mother, Daughter
“She loved it,” said her 29-year-old daughter, Tauna Goble. “It’s been a while since she’s been that alert.” The shower was a surprise for Tauna, who came to Four Winds on May 1 for what she thought was an annual discussion about her mom’s advanced dementia. “I was in shock,…
Read MoreSmoot Boys Choir Croons Tribute to 99-Year-Old Heir of Historic Theater
“It was my birthday present,” Betty said after the concert. Performing for Betty was a treat for Janet Blessing, director of the ensemble, and the boys. “I hate for people to say all these good things after people are gone. We wanted to do it for Betty,” Felice said. The…
Read More