This year, Kendal at Home celebrates 20 wonderful years of compassion, innovation and cherished moments. These moments showcase the program’s unwavering dedication to its vision of offering whole-person support and services to older adults.
During this time, Kendal at Home has helped hundreds of members remain in their homes and communities and continues to grow. From its beginnings in Ohio, the program has expanded its geographic footprint to two additional states — Kentucky and Massachusetts.
As Kendal at Home reflects on the past, the evolution of the program, and the challenges and milestones reached, it’s essential to reflect on the efforts that made this program possible: the essence of the program’s values, the dedication of staff, the partnerships in the communities served, and members’ dreams that continue to be pursued for the future.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
In 2003, Kendal at Home was founded by Kendal at Oberlin in Ohio for one purpose — to support and grant the wishes of older adults whose best option was to stay at home as they age.
Over the last two decades, the program has experienced remarkable growth including the number of staff members, new Kendal at Home members, and the variety of services provided. Kendal at Home has transitioned from primarily offering coordinated support to now providing a comprehensive model that integrates wellness and other initiatives designed to help members remain independent.
Kendal at Home continues to be moved and inspired by the story of Mary Ann, a charter member who became a symbol of one of the core reasons to keep the company going — meeting the individual and unique needs of members. As her health declined, so did the structure and value of her home. In those challenging moments, Mary Ann became the catalyst for a metamorphic shift, inspiring the organization to develop resources that extended far beyond the boundaries of long-term care.
New Initiatives
Kendal at Home has embraced many new initiatives, including the use of technology, increased partnerships with providers of care and new programming.
One key program is the Falls Flight Program, developed by Stephanie Tewes, a care coordinator and Falls Prevention Specialist.
“The Falls Flight Program is a meticulously crafted, multi-step approach that combines risk assessments, education and exercise to steer the course toward a fall-free existence,” shares Stephanie. “By addressing the root cause of falls and equipping members with the knowledge and tools needed, we’re not just preventing accidents, but cultivating a culture of safety.”
Since its launch, the educational offering has been introduced to members across Kendal at Home, equipping them to be proactive drivers of their health journey.
Kendal at Home has also joined the Dementia Friends initiative. This global movement aims to “change the way people think, act and talk about Dementia,” by raising awareness, challenging stigmas, and providing education and communication points through shared community spaces.
A leader in this area is Terri Lanham, a care coordinator with Kendal at Home, who believes that creating a dementia-friendly community happens with one person at a time. In her work, Terri has partnered with community libraries, firehouses and businesses to make this mission a reality.
Vision for the Future
Lynne Giacobbe, CEO of Kendal at Home shares her vision for the future, “As long as there are more lives to touch, Kendal at Home will continue to serve. We aim to grow services in other areas across the country, to enable the program to partner with other trailblazers in senior living.”
Overall, the program aspires to stay dedicated to promoting excellence and inclusivity in the field of senior living services, and to help others grow older in the place they call home.