Lexington, KY - Esther Hurlburt's description of herself as bi-vocational captures her commitment to her work. A geriatric nurse by training, she opened Parent Care KY, an independent professional geriatric care management service, in 1994. Parent Care KY is designed to assist older or disabled adults, their families and other concerned parties in assessing a client's medical, social, spiritual and practical day-to-day care needs. Hurlburt develops, implements and oversees the personalized care plans that allow her clients to live with as much autonomy as possible. Having cared for her own aging parents who lived across the country, she deeply understands the challenges of adult children attempting to provide care and services for parents who live elsewhere.
Thirty years of nursing experience, mostly in geriatrics, long-term care and rehabilitation, led to her founding the Legacy Home Ministry, which responds to the needs of women in later age. "I wanted to create a home so that the last years of a woman's life could be comfortable and enriching, rather than worrisome and lonesome," she said, adding that, ironically, it was the bad economy that provided the opportunity to make the dream come true. She discovered adjacent houses on Delaware Avenue and, using the remains of her inheritance, made the down payment. Thus began the Legacy Home for women, a safe and affordable place for women to live together by sharing space and resources, and a ministry that includes outreach and education.
Hurlburt, with her bachelor's in nursing and a Masters of Divinity, didn't know how to build a house, but she did know how to ask for help. "Dozens of good-natured and resourceful volunteers have shown up in all kinds of weather to fill dumpsters with aged drywall, termite-eaten flooring and soiled carpet," she said, adding that others have provided windows and doors, food for the workers, interior design and website design. "When asked, people have said, 'yes!'"
The Legacy Home is the first model of cooperative living in a community setting for people of low wealth, Hurlburt says. It also has become a place of learning and research. She offers the examples of landscape architecture students designing the deck and garden space for the back yard; faculty and students with the University of Kentucky Department of Community Engagement serving as resources; doctoral students in gerontology having the opportunity to learn how cooperative living in community affects how people age.
As the house rises from its deteriorated state, the needs are apparent: financial resources, building supplies, carpeting, kitchen cabinets, furniture, and the list goes on.
"I am reminded over and over again how good and generous people in this community are - it's this goodness that keeps the project moving forward," she said. "This story is one of hope and joy."
Hurlburt and her husband live in the Kenwick area.