You might say that a Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) capital campaign announced at the May 13 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast breaks the mold in skilled nursing care.

MHCO representatives unveiled plans for a $2.1 million capital campaign during the breakfast attending by over 50 chamber members.

Laura Voth, chief executive officer, and Doug Luginbill, director of development and church relations, shared the Home's vision involving the project, which hopes to result in two "Green House" homes on the 15-acre site across from Maple Crest on Augsburger Road.

"These homes will be the new center of care for many of our nursing residents," said Luginbill.

The project is affiliated with the national movement called Green Houses.

A Green House is a skilled nursing care home where 10 residents enjoy private bedrooms and shared community space.

"Persons who transitioned from traditional nursing care to Green House living have shown improvement in overall well-being," Voth told the chamber audience. "Greater social interaction, increased mobility, lessened depression and increased appetite are a few of the improvements replicated again and again. In a Green House, each resident has more freedom to choose meals, schedules and activities that enhance purposeful living."

The two MHCO Green House homes in the initial phase of the development will include 10 private rooms, each with a private bath.

The homes are centralized around the hearth in the living room, which includes an open kitchen, and dining area.

"In this hearth area, families and residents share in the day-to-day life experiences and join together in fellowship," said Voth.