Twenty years ago health care choices for seniors who were in need of care were somewhat limited to either a hospital stay or going to a nursing home. 

Kathy Rode, a nurse at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton, saw that many of them could stay at home with just a little assistance.

“We wanted to offer a third option in the way of home health services, where nurses would make visits in people’s homes to help them recoup after surgeries or if they needed further assistance,” said Rode, who is the founding Director of Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services. 

“We decided that this would be an excellent service for the Mennonite Home to offer the elders in this community and so began the journey of the last 20 years.”

The nurses began offering in-home services such as:
• skilled nursing care,
• medicine supervision,
• post-surgical care,
• physical assessments,
• therapy services and
• home evaluations. 

Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services also had nursing assistants who went to client’s homes to give support in the form of personal care, bathing and other needs. 

Over the last 20 years Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services has served hundreds of clients in four counties and has seen the size of its staff double.  

“We have made wonderful friends, shared many memories and enjoyed giving excellent care,” says Rode.  “Many children don’t live in the area and they rely on us to provide that weekly interaction and communication with other health professionals about the needs of their loved ones.  It is a very rewarding job.”

Rode has worked for MHCO for 34 years and has enjoyed her long career in serving elders. 

In 2011, Mennonite Home Health became Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services as it expanded beyond medical services to provide non-medical supportive services to clients in their homes. 

Home care assistants were added to the staff to provide not only personal care, but also supportive services such as:
• meal preparation,
• personal errands,
• housekeeping/laundry service,
• transportation,
• companionship and other tasks you need done in your home.

In August of 2015, due to community interest and request, an emphasis was placed on transportation services and the first drivers were added to the staff of Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services. 

The growing concern of seniors in the community losing their independence due to the inability to drive was a strong factor when considering this addition. 

“Our drivers will happily provide clients with door through door assistance while accompanying them on errands, medical appointments, shopping trips, or social visits,” said Rode.

Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services provide care through both Medicare and private pay options.  It works with clients who live within a 30-mile radius of Bluffton. 

“The feedback we receive means the world to us.  Words like: ‘you have such a caring,’ and ‘compassionate staff,’ ‘you gave me peace of mind,’ ‘my recovery went so well thanks to you.’ These are the why we love what we do!” said Rode.

For more information:

Persons interested in learning more about Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services, can visit the web site at www.mhcoliving.org and click on “Home Health” or call 419-358-1015, option 3. 

Mennonite Home Health is a service branch of the Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio in Bluffton.