In 1906, the Company was formed by the Evangelical United Brethren Church for the purpose of developing a small, twelve-unit retirement home. It was named The Western Old People’s Home of the Evangelical Association because it was the westernmost retirement home for that religious denomination in the United States and opened in September of 1912. The Home was incorporated on November 1, 1924, and following World War II, it expanded to provide retirement living and nursing care to as many as 240 residents.
Western Home Communities currently encompasses three campuses. Located at the Main Campus in Cedar Falls are Elizabeth E. Martin Health Center, a 100 bed skilled nursing facility constructed in 1990; Stanard Family Assisted Living Center, that houses administrative offices as well as 121 certified assisted living units; and our first independent living facility, Willowwood Retirement Community, built in 1988.
At our South Main Street Campus, senior housing options include four retirement communities Windgrace, Windermere, Windcove, and Windridge as well as Windcrest Villas, providing a total of 300 living units. We expanded our continuum of care further with the addition of Windhaven Assisted Living Center and Thalman Square in 2006 at South Campus. Windhaven includes 48 units of assisted living, and 32 units in Thalman Square which serves as our memory enhanced area. An expansion of Windhaven is slated for Fall of 2009 and would add 35 more units. Construction of Windcrest Town Homes will begin in the fall of 2009 with two buildings of four units each.
SureCare Services of Western Home Communities started in 1994 and delivers 1500 hours of companion care per week including housekeeping/laundry services and transportation services.
Western Home Foundation is a benevolent fundraising organization. Its mission is to assure the future of the mission of Western Home Communities through fundraising, planned giving, and estate planning.
Western Home Communities has also begun reaching out beyond the Cedar Valley by providing some consulting services to other organizations.
Our mission statement, “Western Home Communities is a charitable, Christian service organization which assertively seeks to create fulfilling lifestyles for seniors, their families, and our employees”, has been the hallmark of Western Home Communities. In addition, the commitment to high quality care and community service has continued to enhance the reputation of the organization and its programs.