 History
of the Kendal at Oberlin Community
It was at a farewell
party in January 1987 for Oberlin College Professor George Simpson
that friends regretted that he and his wife were obliged to look
as far as Columbus, Ohio for an acceptable retirement community.
They felt there must be a way for older persons to remain in Oberlin
and enjoy life-long friends and continue to take advantage of
the town's many cultural offerings.
Karl Heiser decided
that it was time for action and an ad hoc committee consisting
of Jeptha Carrell, David Clark, Bill Long, Dorothy Luciano, Anita
Reichard, James Stephens, Robert Thomas, and himself as chairperson
was formed in March, 1987. After a series of retirement community
visits they were able to develop the following criteria for a
community in Oberlin: high quality health care; access to health
care at no or little added cost; an active, satisfied resident
population; resident involvement in community life; a strong financial
and management track record; and, a deep philosophical commitment
to not-for-profit values.
Significant was the
“discovery” of Kendal at Longwood/Crosslands and the
Quaker organization that
operated it. Residents were treated as individuals, restraint
free, and provided full care but with a focus on wellness.
Following the discovery
of Kendal, Alan Hunt, Chairman of the Board of The Kendal Corporation,
visited Oberlin in June 1987. The committee was encouraged to
proceed and during the following months a 501(C)(3) status was
sought, a Board of Trustees established, and an agreement with
The Kendal Corporation was reached in November 1987. Kendal at
Oberlin emerged.
After months of marketing
the concept by the Board, 92 acres of land were identified, a
certificate of need obtained, and an architectural firm hired.
Ultimately 192 residential units and a 66-bed Health Center were
built with the first resident taking occupancy in October 1993.
The facility is licensed and certified by Medicare.
1992
• Barbara Thomas
appointed administrator. (Now referred to as Chief Executive Officer)
• Ground breaking
for Kendal at Oberlin!
1993
• First residents
move into Kendal at Oberlin
1994
• Medicare certification
assured
• Resident-funded
tennis courts open
• Kendal at
Oberlin Residents Association organizes
1996
• Retired 10
million dollars in Series B Bonds
• Charitability
Handbook developed and approved by Board to guide staff and board
• New Mission
Statement adopted for Kendal at Oberlin
• Construction
completed on the fitness center with pools and exercise space
• Kendal at
Oberlin approved to join the HealthRays Alliance
• Resident
Association approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization
1997
• Continuing
Care Accreditation achieved by the CCAC
• Kendal's Care
for Kids accredited under the National Association for the Education
of Young Children
• Completed
energy conservation project
• Completed
perimeter walkway around cottages
• Completed
Energy Audit by Northeastern Energy Concepts
• KORA granted
501(c)(3) status
1998
• Ohio Department
of Health survey - no deficiencies
• Implemented
Community Based Services program for cottage and apartment residents
• Implemented
New Corporate Compliance Program
• Completed
bond refinancing (BBB rating by Standard & Poor's)
• Implemented
Board Fellow Program with Weatherhead School of Management, Case
Western Reserve University
1999
• Ohio Department
of Health survey - no deficiencies (average number of deficiencies
in Ohio is 7)
• Instituted
Child Day Care camp for school age children
• Approved Allen
Memorial Hospital as provider for laboratory services
• Dedicated
the newly-named Stephens Care Center
• Completed
remainder of perimeter walkways
2000
• Developed
Neighbors Together outreach program to community with KORA and
Oberlin Seniors
• Ohio Department
of Health survey - no deficiencies
• Developed
Kendal at Oberlin web page
• Received grant
from Bureau of Workers' Compensation to develop programs for staff
safety
2001
• Submitted
applications for grants to begin a Life Care at Home program
• Approved new
contract option for a discounted entry fee for residents who bring
in long term care insurance
• Ohio Department
of Health survey - no deficiencies
• New Russia
Township developing plans for recreation area on land immediately
north of Kendal
2002
• Approved new
Affiliation Agreement with The Kendal Corporation
• Created new
ex officio trustee position for immediate past-president
• Kendal at
Oberlin granted re-accreditation
• Renovation
of Stephens Care Center kitchen and Resident Care Clinic
• HealthStream
(eLearning program) ready for use by staff; development lab ready
• Consensus
that Continuing Care at Home initiative be approved and continued
• Consensus
that Growth Initiative should proceed
2003
• Implemented
HIPAA privacy guidelines
• Developed
new legal structure: Kendal Northern Ohio, Kendal at Home, Kendal
at Oberlin
• Moved forward
with Master Planning process
• Kendal at
Oberlin rated AAA by CareScout (one of 151 communities out of
16,400 surveyed)
• Celebrated
10th Anniversary with numerous special events
• Standard &
Poor's reaffirmed BBB rating for bonds
• Ground breaking
for storage facility
2004
• 10 Year Master
Plan approved by the Board of Directors
• The Resident
and Care agreement was revised with adjusted pharmacy benefits
to coincide with Government Plan for 2006.
•
Kendal at Home, a program offering continuing care at home,
enrolled its first members in July, 2004.
• The Kendal
Corporation's Affiliation Agreement shows representation by Kendal
Northern Ohio on behalf of both Kendal at Oberlin and Kendal at
Home.
• The Board
increased its focus on Philanthropy and Energy Management with
committee appointments.
• Residential
Units reduced by one to 191 with the plan to combine more studios
with other units
• New web
design for all the Kendal communities introduced offering consistency
among the Kendal communities
2005
• Plans completed
and construction begins, for 12 new cottages and expansion of
the Stephens Care Center. Addition to the nursing wing will allow
all 42 nursing rooms to be private, single occupancy accommodations.
• The Kendal
at Oberlin Board approves new contract options, including modified
agreements and options for refundability.
• Center pond
is renovated with the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and other wetlands consultants.
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