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The
Samaritan Convalescent Hospital
and Hotel of Rochester began its
operation on March 7, 1922 at
25 7th Street NW, Rochester, Minnesota.
It was established and operated
by the Men's Fellowship of Peace
United Church of Christ of Rochester
as an extension of the church
to serve those in need. As the
need for long-term care for the
aged, infirm and chronically ill
became more prevalent the facility
was remodeled and converted to
a nursing home in February of
1956. The modern 113 bed nursing
home provided complete nursing
care on an around the clock basis
and was known as the Samaritan
Nursing Home.
In
1970, the Bethany Corporation,
whose membership was composed
of representatives from five American
Lutheran Churches in the Olmsted
County area, began merger talks
with the Samaritan Nursing Board.
The Bethany Corporation was interested
in establishing a nursing home
and had a large constituency in
the area. The Samaritan Board
wished to expand its facilities
and felt that a merger with the
Bethany Corporation would give
greater community participation
in the operation of the Home.
In
1971, the Samaritan Bethany Corporation
was formed and incorporated under
the statutes of the State of Minnesota.
On October 1, 1973, Samaritan
Bethany, Inc. took over the ownership
and operation of the Samaritan
Nursing Home and changed its name
to Samaritan Bethany Home.
In
1973 plans were begun to build
a new 122-bed nursing home at
24 8th Street NW, Rochester. The
new facility was opened in August
of 1976 and residents were transferred
from the old facility at 25 7th
Street NW. The old facility was
remodeled and converted to a board
and lodging facility for elderly
residents. It was renamed The
Samaritan Bethany Manor.
A
feasibility study completed in
1978 showed the need for additional
nursing home beds in the Rochester
area. Twelve acres of land at
1530 11th Avenue NW, Rochester
was purchased for the site of
a new 120-bed nursing home. In
June of 1981 the new facility,
named Samaritan Bethany Heights,
was opened.
To
support the expansion and development
of a continuum of services to
meet the changing needs of an
aging population, the Samaritan
Bethany Foundation, Inc. was incorporated
in 1982. The sole purpose of the
Foundation is to support the care
and programs of Samaritan Bethany,
Inc. In October of 1986 expansion
of Samaritan Bethany's services
took place with the creation of
Samaritan Bethany Home Health
Services. Further expansion two
years later in 1988 included an
Administrative management contract
with a nearby municipal nursing
home.
In
1989 plans were begun to build
a new 66-unit elderly apartment
building to replace the aging
Manor building of 1922. Arbor
Terrace opened in July of 1992
at 700 2nd NW adjacent to the
Home on Eighth. Arbor Terrace's
user-friendly design for seniors
became the new home for many of
the residents of the Manor. In
the fall of 1992 the Manor was
demolished to make room for an
addition to the Home on Eighth.
In
1999, it became evident that a
bridge between independent living
and skilled nursing home care
was a relevant need within the
community. With that in mind,
the Foundation began a fundraising
campaign to raise capital for
the renovation of the third floor
of the Home on Eighth. The renovation
was designed to meet the pressing
need of area seniors for affordable
assisted living units. The 24
new assisted living units were
offered to the public in February
2000 and later another five units
were made available in February
2001.
In 2004, Arbor Terrace expanded
its services to enable the residents
to stay longer in their apartments
at Arbor Terrace.
Even
though we are committed to the
values of our past, as a religious
affiliated organization, we cannot
rest on our successes. We must
embrace a future of change if
we want to continue to provide
quality, compassionate care to
our present and future residents.
During
the past four years Samaritan
Bethany has been working on a
strategic plan to develop a "household
model" in all of our living
arrangements. This model involves
comprehensive changes around the
transformation of the basic principles
of older adult services, based
on person-directed values and
practices where the voices of
our older adults and their care-givers
are considered, and respected.
These principles include choice,
dignity, respect, self-determination
and purposeful living. This model
includes private rooms, small
kitchens, dining and living rooms
similar to a residential private
home.
Over
40 staff, board, and community
members were involved in researching,
discussing, and brainstorming
what a "household model"
would look like and how it would
positively affect the lives of
our residents.
Our
goal is to create "home"
and "households" within
the physical confines and limitations
of the size and design of our
current campus. Consequently the
goals of our strategic plan include
renovation and new construction.
Further details are outlined on
the "What's New page.
Samaritan Bethany, Inc. is the
"owner" of The Home
on Eighth, The Heights, Samaritan
Bethany Terrace, and Arbor Terrace.
Samaritan Bethany Foundation,
Inc. remains a separate corporation.
The
corporation is affiliated with
and sponsored by: *
Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester
Christ Lutheran Church, Byron
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Rochester
Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
Rochester
Peace United Church of Christ,
Rochester
Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester
Hosanna Lutheran Church, Rochester
*While
the organization is strictly non-denominational,
serving persons across all races
and religions, Samaritan Bethany,
Inc. retains a connection with
the Peace United Church of Christ
and with six Lutheran congregations,
representatives from which comprise
the majority of the agency's board
of directors. There is no formal
financial relationship between
Samaritan Bethany, Inc. and these
congregations, although they are
free to contribute to the support
of the agency as they see fit.
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