Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO), Bluffton, Allen County's largest senior healthcare provider, is focusing on "smallness."

On October 14, MHCO launched a $3.9 million Green House (R) building project that creates a small intentional community for a group of elders and staff. The project marks the first step in a long-range plan to bring 10 Green House homes and a community building to the 15 acre site of Willow Ridge, the name of MHCO's new campus.

Nearly 175 persons attended the "ground blessing" event, which included planting of tulip bulbs as a symbolic beginning of the new lifestyle being offered elders through this model of care, and symbolic of the first project of this type in Ohio.

Laura Voth, chief executive officer of MHCO, said, "The Green House Project(R) is a radical departure from traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities."

"Its primary purpose serves as a place where elders can receive assistance and support with activities of daily living and clinical care, without the assistance and care becoming the focus of their existence," she said.

Willow Ridge will be constructed across the road from Maple Crest on Augsburger Road in Bluffton. The first two Green Houses should be ready for its 20 residents (10 in each House) by October, 2012.

Voth said that the Green House model intends to de-institutionalize long-term care. It eliminates the large nursing facility and creates habilitative, social settings. Each elder has a private room or unit with a private bathroom. Rooms are situated around a hearth area, open kitchen and dining area.

The second phase of the current project will commence after 20 elders move from Mennonite Memorial Home (MMH) into the new Green House homes. A $1.3 million Renovation of MMH, 410 W. Elm St., Bluffton, will include creation of a short-term rehab unit by converting 10 formerly semi-private rooms into private rooms, and one dining room into a therapy room.

The Green House Project's general contractor is Garlock Brothers Construction of Findlay, Ohio.

A $2.1 million capital campaign for the Green House homes and renovation work has brought in more than $1.6 million in donations so far, said Doug Luginbill, Director of Resource Development and Church Relations for MHCO.

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio serves a four-county area around Bluffton. It has over 250 employees and is one of the largest employers in Bluffton.

PHOTO ID:

From left, Laura Voth, CEO, Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio, Dan Pardi, David Hoening, and Mike Healy of pH7 Architects of Columbus plant tulip bulbs at the October 14 Ground Blessing Celebration for two Green House Homes in Bluffton.