Retirement News : Seniors : Retirement village proud of care

Retirement village proud of care

Date Added: 24-04-2005

LINCOLN -- Providing various levels of care in a retirement community is complicated.
How The Christian Village has survived all the changes in long-term care since 1965 isn't complicated, however.

"Our reputation for good quality care is what has done it," said community liaison Julie King.

Government regulations are more specific, health care is more complex and residents' abilities are more diverse than they were 40 years ago.

"But when push comes to shove, it is the reputation and the knowledge that we give good care" that has kept people coming to Christian Village for 40 years, King said Friday.

The retirement community at 1507 Seventh St. will celebrate its 40th anniversary next weekend.

King said the village has come a long way from the building with 48 nursing home beds that opened in 1965.

The village now includes 110 beds for residents who need intermediate or skilled care. Among those are 25 beds for residents with dementia.

Christian Village also has 28 senior apartments and 38 duplexes called Garden Homes for older adults who desire independent living without the responsibilities of home ownership, King said.

The village has asked state regulators for approval to offer "supported living" that is between intermediate care and independent living, King said. If approved, Christian Village would add studio apartments for older adults who want the privacy of their own rooms but who would eat meals in a common dining room and would have nurses and aides available at all times.

Christian Village has about 135 employees.

On Friday, residents, staff members and their families will have a banana split party. On Saturday, the village has its public anniversary celebration, with festivities on the village campus beginning at 11 a.m.

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