Sketch of Homeplace at Midway
A Rendering of Homeplace at Midway
Midway, KY – If you live in Woodford County, reach your 70s or 80s and need assisted living care – you’re out of luck. Many elderly residents have moved away from the county to get the care they desire, often leaving family and familiar surroundings behind.
But that is about to change with the planned construction of The Homeplace at Midway.
The Homeplace will be the first “Green House” community in Kentucky. This model emphasizes community living in a home-like setting and more freedom and flexibility for elders and their care staff. It is quite the opposite of the sterile, institutional models of skilled nursing homes or assisted living centers that America has known for decades.
The elder community will be built on 31 acres across from the campus of Midway College. Christian Care Communities is partnering to build the project.
“This will be the first site in the nation that will be a complete green house concept (multiple homes) and co-located with a school of nursing,” said Dr. Keith Knapp, president and CEO of Christian Care Communities.
“This will be Woodford County’s only Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing facility,” Knapp continued. “There aren’t any right now. So someone who needs either of those two programs to help pay for their long-term or acute care has to leave the county.”
Plans call for two skilled nursing cottages for 23 residents in need of short-term rehab or long-term care, a 12-bed memory/personal care cottage for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia and a 12-bed assisted living cottage for residents who need periodic help with daily living activities.
“As a gerontologist and after 30 years in this industry, I believe this is a better way to care for people at any age, but especially for our elders,” Knapp opined.
Organizers hope to break ground in 2013.
Future plans for The Homeplace at Midway include the addition of an adult day care program and independent living duplexes to complement the initial resident cottages.
From an economic development standpoint, Knapp said the project will create 42 jobs in Woodford County with about $1.7 million in revenues pumped into the economy. The community will boost the tax base by approximately $33,000 a year for Midway and $25,000 a year for Woodford County.
Christian Care Communities recently announced the public phase of its campaign to raise money and to secure a low interest federal loan for the project.
C.C.C. announced that the project has been awarded a $300,000 challenge grant from the Mary K. Oxley Foundation and new commitments of $50,000 each from the Woodford Health Foundation and Midway Presbyterian Church.
“We are now at the 75 percent marker and have just $400,000 to go,” said Knapp. “Hopefully, we can close that out by the end of this year.”
In addition, C.C.C. has been conditionally approved for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan of $11.5 million. The loan program is designed to increase health care in rural areas.
“You’re going to be our very good neighbors,” Midway College interim president Dr. Robert Vogel said about the new project. “We’re excited to have those residents and staff there as participants in the life of this campus and also because they bring their life experiences to share with our community.”
“Midway College nursing students, graduates and faculty will be leaders in helping to change the way the nation cares for its oldest citizens,” added Dr. Barbara Kitchen, Chair of the Nursing and Science Division at Midway College.
In 1998, local citizens began discussing what to do about the lack of elder care facilities in the county, said Helen Rentch, of the Woodford County Nursing Home Task Force. “We talked about the problems of elderly people having to leave the community and were distressed about it,” she recalled.
The task force began to research the issue. Members originally believed they could find a solution in a few years. Members soon learned that there was a state moratorium on licensed nursing home beds. In time, the group obtained licensing. A feasibility study was conducted that verified that there were enough people in the community who supported a new and improved elder care model for the county.
Though he looks quite young to be dealing with local elder care issues, John Greely knew he had to get involved. His family is prominent in the Central Kentucky horse industry. His father Bud Greely and his uncle Bill Greely are on the Keeneland board of directors.
“I was born and raised in Midway. This is my home,” Greely explained. “My grandparents have needed elderly care and I’ve seen both sides; what it can be and what is to be desired. When they showed me what they planned to do in Midway, I jumped in with both feet.”
Midway mayor Tom Bozarth seemed to sum it up. “It’s been a long time coming. With the task force’s will and passion, we’re like the little engine that could. Now we’ve done it.”