Elder Care Revolution Launches in Southwest Ohio: Financial News

Elder Care Revolution Launches in Southwest Ohio
Friday July 18, 2008 7:02 am ET

LEBANON, OH--(MARKET WIRE)--Jul 18, 2008 -- Southwest Ohioans are invited to attend the dedication of the first Avalon by Otterbein small house neighborhood in Warren County, Ohio, today, Friday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. Avalon staff will be on hand to guide tours and answer questions about this revolution in skilled nursing care.

 
--  Guests should park in the shuttle parking lot at Five Point Elementary
    School
--  The shuttle parking lot is located at 650 E. Lytle Five Points Road in
    Centerville, Ohio
--  Directions and a map from Cincinnati:
    http://www.pr-link.com/avalondedicationcinci.pdf
--  Directions and a map from Dayton:
    http://www.pr-link.com/avalondedicationdayton.pdf
--  Shuttle service begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 10:00 a.m.
--  The dedication begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.
--  For more information, call (513) 933-5417

"Small House...Big Difference"

The first of its kind in Southwest Ohio, Avalon by Otterbein is leading the nation in revolutionizing elder care that is resident centered and relationship based. This new model combines the warmth and companionship of home with all of the skilled clinical nursing care services in a residential setting.

Presenters at the dedication are Donald Gilmore, president/CEO of Otterbein Homes; Reverend Gary Hughes, Otterbein Homes Board of Trustees; Thomas Compton, chair of the Otterbein Homes Board of Trustees; Janet Borton, Avalon Guide; Shelly Wynn, Avalon Elder Assistant; Jill Hreben, executive vice president of Otterbein Homes and Diane Ruder, vice president of development for Otterbein Homes. Reverend Dr. Randy Stearns, district superintendent of the Ohio River District of the United Methodist Church, will dedicate the small house neighborhood.

Avalon at Clearcreek is located at 9350 Avalon Dr., Centerville, OH. It is just off Bunnell Road, north of Ohio State Route 73, which has an exit off of I-75. The convenient Clearcreek Township location is in the heart of several housing developments, and is only a five-minute drive from the historic town of Springboro, where a six-block section of South Main Street has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The design of the small house and its location within a neighborhood makes the transition for elders easier. It provides the optimal opportunity for residents to stay connected to family and friends. Both residents and staff appreciate key differences such as:

 
--  No institutional schedules, meals or routines
--  Smaller scale environment increases walking and decreasing wheelchair
    dependency
--  High elder assistant staffing ratios
--  Home cooked meals -- including the favorite foods

The benefits of these changes include better outcomes, improved quality of life and satisfaction for residents, and increased nurse effectiveness.

Otterbein has a 95-year history in being a leader in elder care services. "Our goal is to be a catalyst for change throughout the country in the field of aging services," stated Jill Hreben, senior vice president of strategic management. "We're developing the next evolution in nursing care, where the focus is on life and relationships, supported by the care that is needed."

A place with all the amenities of a gracious home environment

Each Avalon by Otterbein neighborhood is a cul-de-sac of five lovely one-story homes with 10 residents each. A total of 50 residents share a neighborhood. The people living in the small house make their own decisions about daily living and schedules.

 
--  A real home. A lovely one story home that includes an open living-
    dining room and kitchen, a den and private bedrooms and baths for each
    resident.
--  Features include: great room with a vaulted ceiling and fireplace;
    open-airy space with large windows; beautiful patio; residential kitchen
    for cooking favorite recipes; family dining area; a spa/physical therapy
    room; a den and private room and bath for each resident.

"We have a wonderful opportunity to lead the nation in truly liberating elders," said Donald L. Gilmore, president & CEO. "We believe that all nursing care should operate with a small house model. We want to spur other organizations to change as well."

Currently 1.8 million people in the U.S. live in nursing homes where most often the emphasis is on frailty and rigid schedules. The small house takes elders "back home" and places ultimate value on the wisdom of the Elder Assistant and his/her close relationship with each resident.

The Clearcreek site joins Avalon at Perrysburg, dedicated October 2007, and Monclova, dedicated April 2008.

Future Warren County Locations

-- Avalon at the Atrium is currently under construction. Located off I-75 at the Middletown exit, this small house neighborhood will have the added benefit of being on the new Atrium Medical Center campus. Atrium Medical Center is the newest, state of the art regional medical campus of Premier Health Partners. The campus will incorporate trees, a pond and walking trails to create a healing, soothing environment.

-- Hamilton Township will have an Avalon by Otterbein small house neighborhood, with construction to begin in 2009. The Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation has donated $1 million to this Avalon neighborhood. The entry street will be named in their honor.

-- A fourth location is soon to be determined.

NOTE TO EDITOR

Parking is available for television trucks on site. Call Pam at (513) 233-9090 or Stephanie at (513) 225-6621 for more information. Photos are available online:

http://www.pr-link.com/avalonclearcreek1.jpg

http://www.pr-link.com/avalonclearcreek2.jpg

http://www.pr-link.com/avalonclearcreek3.jpg

http://www.pr-link.com/avalonclearcreek4.jpg

http://www.pr-link.com/avalonclearcreek5.jpg

A video on the small house project is available here. B-roll is available on Beta SP, DVC Pro and DVD. Contact Pam Gilchrist (see contact information below).

About Otterbein Retirement Living Communities

Otterbein Retirement Living Communities, founded in 1912, is a health and human service ministry, serving nearly 1,700 people. Additional information regarding Otterbein Retirement Living Communities and Avalon by Otterbein is available at www.otterbein.org.