MORE PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.

Beginning Feb. 4 and continuing through the week, 10 elders are moving to their new homes at Willow Ridge, Bluffton.

Willow Ridge is the newest community of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) and features two Green House homes. When full, each home will provide licensed nursing care for 10 elders in private rooms with private bathrooms and showers.

The first two elders moved to Frieda House (103 Willow Ridge Drive) on Nov. 23, 2012. The Ohio Department of Health provided its survey for licensure on Jan. 18 and MHCO was notified on Feb. 1 that its nursing home license was granted retroactively to Jan. 18.

Rhonda Wolpert, Green House guide and administrator for Mennonite Memorial Home, said, “The Green House homes at Willow Ridge transform nursing home care. Twenty-four hour care is provided and Willow Ridge accepts Medicaid and Medicare payment.”

She added that there is nothing institutional about living at Willow Ridge.

Features of Willow Ridge include a large kitchen that opens to a hearth room with a fireplace and comfortable furniture. A large dining room table is set for all to join in a meal. 

She adds: “In a Green House home, everyone has a place at the table.” 

An outside patio with walkways connects the two homes so elders living there may visit their neighbors next door. 

“Guests ring a door bell and are greeted by a member of the household just like in our own homes,” said Wolpert.

Another aspect of Green House homes is its staffing model. Universal workers, called Shahbazim, provide personal care, prepare meals, keep the home clean and do the laundry.

Eleven of the 12 new Willow Ridge elders were previously living at Mennonite Memorial Home while one elder moved from Hilty Home, Pandora, to be closer to her mother who is living across the road at Maple Crest Senior Living Village. 

Wolpert says that a small number of rooms are still available. Tours of Willow Ridge may be scheduled by calling Brenda Reichenbach at 419-358-1015, ext. 225.

Mennonite Memorial Home, Hilty Home and Maple Crest are all communities of MHCO.