Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO), a Bluffton retirement community that offers a continuum of care, has begun negotiations with the East Central District-Missionary Church with respect to the future operation, management and ownership of Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora. When completed, the proposed structure would welcome Hilty Memorial Home as an affiliate member of MHCO.

"We are humbled and excited to be chosen by the East Central District-Missionary Church, to carry on the excellent tradition of compassionate, faith-based elder care that Hilty Home has established throughout its 33 year history," said Laura Voth, CEO of MHCO.

"While all the legal details are not yet complete, we look forward to Hilty Home becoming an affiliate organization under the MHCO umbrella," she added.

"Hilty Home and Mennonite Home have been sister organizations for years, and the idea of working together in a formal fashion just makes sense. We are both non-profit and faith-based providers of service to the older adults in our communities, with similar missions, organizational cultures, and high standards for quality care and service," she said.

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio

MHCO was started in 1955 as a "home for the aged." Since then it has grown to serve over 250 residents on its two campuses. Mennonite Memorial Home, located at 410 W. Elm St., Bluffton, has 35 assisted living apartments, 18 duplex units and 92 long-term skilled nursing beds.

Maple Crest Senior Living Village, located at 700 Maple Crest Court, has 35 independent living apartments, 20 assisted living apartments and 24 duplex units.

Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services offers clinical as well as non-clinical services to elders in their own homes, averaging 40 clients per month. Later this year MHCO will open a third campus named Willow Ridge which will provide two Green House homes. Each home will provide skilled nursing care for 10 elders in private rooms surrounding a comfortable hearth room, open kitchen and plenty of outdoor space. Twenty residents from Mennonite Memorial Home will move into their new homes in December, 2012.

Hilty Memorial Home

Hilty Memorial Home, begun by the Missionary Church in 1979, offers 61 long-term, skilled nursing beds, 26 assisted living units and four duplex units.

Hilty Home recently added a "Transition to Home" program, which provides short-term, rehabilitation services with private rooms. In addition, Hilty Home offers Child Care services to children of staff and the greater community.

Dale Leinbach, District Superintendent of the Missionary Church, ECD explained that through a strategic planning process that took place about a year ago, the District Executive Board made a decision to narrow its focus.

Transitioning the ministry of the Hilty Home to an organization, which had this type of ministry at its core would allow the church to place greater emphasis on its stated purpose, which is "to establish Great Commission Churches that make more and better disciples."

In announcing the Missionary Church's decision to work with Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio, Dale Leinbach said, "Mennonite Home Communities was chosen because they fit the tradition and values of the Missionary Church East Central District and Hilty Memorial Home. The primary intent of both parties is to be certain that the residents of Hilty Memorial Home continue to receive the top quality care that they have received in the past."

Joy Reichenbach, administrator of Hilty Memorial Home since 2002, said, "I am excited for Hilty Home to have an opportunity to join Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio. Hilty Home is dedicated to serving Christ by giving loving care to those who come to Hilty. I am pleased to be able to continue serving the community with the same mission Hilty Home has held for many years since MHCO shares these same Christian values."

"Welcoming Hilty Home to the MHCO family will make both organizations stronger and better able to carry out our missions. We are convinced that the two organizations will form a solid partnership that will greatly benefit the Pandora-Bluffton community and will provide uninterrupted service to the residents of Hilty Home," Voth said.