Otterbein Marblehead

Title: Otterbein's 100th Anniversary
Time: 10 min 6 sec

Description:

A Night of Celebration! A Century of Making a Difference!

Transcript:

for 100 years Otterbein has faithfully ministered to others it was a almshouse affectionately known as the poorhouse of the church I grew up as a boy and my home church in Ashland Ohio putting Dimes in the red stockings to support the poor old people and poor children at Otterbein founded in 1912 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and now in relationship with the United Methodist Church uh turbines hallmark has been ministry and forward-thinking that's part of my love of autumn on the church connection has been rigorously held to and the mission purpose wonderful group I can't say enough about how much I admire the leadership in that they stay with their mission to care for people and to keep the church connection and I just feel that this campus is though it's a hundred years old we're still going strong and see the purpose of just continued growth meeting the needs of this next generation I can't help wonder the people in the past from the the beginning how they would view the progress has been made today because since I've been here the progress has been just unbelievable just because you're older doesn't mean you have to stop doing things that you once enjoyed we just find a different way to get there or do it given that opportunity to do that for some money the feeling is beyond words and that's the reward that I get every day we'll be around for another hundred I'm sure like I said we're continually improving and looking for new ways with our residents input initially we serve the needs of children the elderly retired ministers missionaries and their families today Otterbein has grown to include senior lifestyle communities skilled nursing and rehab neighborhoods and home health in keeping with our United Methodist tradition we seek to enhance the quality of life and holistic growth of older persons by building a strong community that supports people wherever they are on life's journey I was looking for a place that would support my kind of lifestyle and I found that at Otterbein I would be provided with comfort security and independence it's given me longer life because I don't think I would have lasted this long if I wouldn't have had this if this atmosphere around me all I needs are met if we have problems that there and they help us to fix those problems we know that we're safe here we strive to create environments that free individuals to realize their full potential and help them grow into the person God has called them to become I think it has fulfilled my life more because I am busy keeping busy with volunteer work as well as just being friendly with my neighbors and and all the friends here I think what makes it special is that we listen to what people have to say what they feel they need and we're able to respond to those wants those desires basically I think there are three words that I always come back to my mind one that talked about the Otterbein total program caring caring caring that's the awesome part about Otterbein is that we are a team and I think everybody does really well and getting along together this is the friendliest community I've ever been in this is my home also this is you can't turn your back on 25 years of kindness and compassion and uh turbines employee partners focus on the needs of each resident with respect for human dignity and a sense of mission that forms what we call the spirit of Otterbein it's more than a paycheck it truly is a ministry I look at people and say wow when I'm in my 80s or 90s what I want to be like you know and I've just been very impressed with their strength and their their faith and their willingness to continue to serve their whole life it's just so rewarding and to walk in and be able to say hi to this one and how are you and and and know so many of the residents it's like a second home you know they're not called staff they're not called the workers they're called partners and I think that also there's a lot of of love and understanding from them to us Otterbein is a health and human service ministry that serves more than 2,500 people each year five senior living retirement communities provide a continuum of care from independent living to assisted living for those who need a little extra help and safe nurturing nursing and Alzheimer's care since coming here I have just no words I know that my health is taken care of my meals are taken care of my living quarters are taken care of for us we said this is where we want to finish this place has it all it's one it's holistic and it's complete that's a big deal to us five small house neighborhoods are dedicated to long and short term skilled nursing and rehab services I think the Otterbein has made a very impressive impact on all of long-term care you know step you know stepping out and thinking outside the box and doing this I felt always like I wasn't getting enough done I wasn't doing a good enough job at anything and now when she's here and and I actually think too that she takes care of herself a little bit more being here than when she lived with me not even realizing it you know she's a little bit more independent it was just it's a huge relief and then and then everybody can have you know the good relationships and be happy it's a place that I really want to be when I leave here I always say goodbye to them and I'll see you tomorrow or I'll see you the next day when I come back and I'm always ready to come back and for those who choose to stay in their homes a home health agency provides needed therapies and valuable care you can do a one-on-one and meet their need a whole lot better in the home setting I was just real pleased and I and she kept telling me oh everybody here has taken such good care of me mm-hmm Otterbein offers comfort security a sense of well-being and of belonging to a community we had children we have grandchildren none of them lived nearby however they visit frequently and when they come they leave knowing that dad or grandpa is in a place where he wants to be he's in a place where he's well cared for he's a place where he has many activities to be involved in and a place where he is surrounded by many many friends that's important to me because they already even because they are than I yet I can leave here and walk out either go back home or go to a vacation and I know there is a lot of comfort knowing that I don't have to worry about my mother well I could certainly envision that this will be my home someday I'd be the third generation of my family to live here the many opportunities at Otterbein allow each person to reflect their unique style their individual sense of purpose and more of what they value most we could meet spiritual needs with our church and pastors and chaplain program and we can meet the social needs and physical needs as well it's a very very caring community and I love the openness in the countryside where you can see but with trees and flowers and blue sky and clouds it's a blessing it's total blessing I couldn't have my prayers were totally answered I couldn't ask for anything better through it all it's been a most compassionate ministry a place I don't think you'd find another one like it sure you wouldn't and we're glad that God charted our path to come this direction and stay which we hadn't intended to do it's comforting it's it's a security just the fact that I know that this is gonna be here that I can always be here the rest of my life that I don't have to worry about moving again yeah it's always gonna be my home now it's not a job it's a calling it's um it's my life it's my home it's my home away from home I think God has been a moving force in putting this place where it is couldn't find a better place to live gets better every year