KMH

Title: KMH: Making It Home
Time: 6 min 45 sec

Description:

This KMH Foundation video shares the legacy and future of Kansas Masonic Home and extends an invitation to help us improve the lives of our seniors.

Transcript:

17 years kansas masonic home has proudly maintained her vigil of the city of wichita and her residence from the corner of sinek and maple streets the 15 acres of earth that comprise her campus have supported the weight of many buildings and felt the footsteps of countless men women and children who have served or been served within her boundaries the original km/h a three-story limestone home purchased from Colonel Robert Lawrence with funds collected for more than six years by and from Kansas Masons and order of the Eastern Star members was opened in 1896 on sep tember tenth of that year more than 5,000 local spectators lined the path of a parade and procession that began downtown and culminated at the steps of km/h where the campus was dedicated to serving those in need a legacy of care that survived far beyond the lives of the original residents and founders was begun in the next year's km/h would not only serve men and women in need but children as well before fire destroyed the original kansas masonic home and took the lives of five residents on the night of december 21st 1960 the people of wichita opened their hearts and homes to the survivors of the fire providing for those who'd once again lost everything the extended Cantus masonic home family rebounded from the tragedy and in the years sense of provided residents with continued support constantly reaching for new and better ways to care as the needs of the community changed so did the focus and km/h in 1929 there were 120 eight children and 147 residents at km/h by 1953 the number of children was down to seven and six years later with the advent of social services every child was gone the focus of kansas masonic home was fully placed on elder care and a new era of service yeah kansas masonic home currently has more than 200 combined residents in the assisted living towers assisted living manner and the health care pavilion life at km/h includes 24-7 access to the wellness center pool and hottub a personal trainer full time physical therapy chaplain chaplain social services on and off campus concierge services libraries the km/h art gallery and top-notch dining and multiple dining areas more important than amenities km/h has pursued a complete culture change in the past two years instilling a person before task odom behavior we are striving to create an environment where each of us would like to live our most precious of days we remove nurses stations empowered our residents to make their own choices on everything possible from when they rise when and what they eat and how they spend their days and we challenge residents and staff to find more ways to truly make km/h home our work toward this goal has already been recognized and honored by the kansas department on aging which presented km/h with the prestigious peak award recognizing extraordinary effort and changing the culture of health care looming institutional care long accepted in this country has stripped the dignity independence respect from the lives of generations of seniors residing in hospital like nursing homes km/h is taking brave steps to eliminate the attitude and environment of traditional elder care facilities far more than an attitude adjustment the culture change endeavor is the beginning of creating true homes literal houses within our existing structures efforts are underway to remodel two-thirds of our living areas into seven distinct households each of which will have front porches entry doors living and dining rooms and kitchens where residents and guests can make themselves at home with our staff whether that simply means hanging out or grabbing a snack or requesting a meal on their own schedule this is what family looks like the front door experience created by households will be the beginning of a new living experience for km/h residents rather than moving from home to a hospital like nursing home residents that need health care or assisted living support will move to a true home that offers health care emotional and social support within a family environment household residents will have an actual bedroom in a home versus simply having a bed in a ward or a halt the reality of home will offer residents giving greater opportunity to enjoy the daily choices every person deserves life as we choose it should not be limited by the limited physical limitations of an aging body km/h has offered extraordinary care to thousands for more than a hundred and fifteen years it is only by pushing beyond accepted practices in ideology that this community has survived and succeeded km/h began in the hearts of kind and courageous men and women with a desire to make a difference in the world for fellow citizens in need you can see that difference in these photos and that legacy has continued with the efforts of generations of men and women who with steady hands and big hearts have led km/h up to this point and an opportunity for current generations of kind and courageous individuals to be held in the same high regard our charge is clear we must continue our mission to provide an active and vibrant community where every person can live life to the fullest as we focus on the needs of our second century of residents much work lies ahead but we are certain that we will not only achieve our monetary goals but also the visions they represent gifts to this campaign will make a profound difference in the life of this historical campus for which we share so much pride and more importantly in the lives of each of the residents we are privileged to serve as you view the changes on this fantastic home we are openly asking for your support to help us truly make it home for this generation and those to come thank you you