LifeSphere
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
LifeSphere is a non-profit organization headquartered in Springdale, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. The organization is centered around helping older adults live to their highest potential as individuals by helping them seek independence, good health and personal fulfillment. LifeSphere owns and operates The Knolls of Oxford and Maple Knoll Village continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), Sycamore Senior Center, Maple Knoll Senior Services three HUD Residences, LifeSphere Home Health Services, WMKV 89.3 FM Radio Station, a Montessori Child Center, the Manor House restaurant, the Main Street Café, and an array of other services for seniors.
[edit] History of LifeSphere
LifeSphere has existed in one form or another since 1848. It was founded when a group of concerned citizens of Cincinnati witnessed the untenable situation of elderly persons without families. Led by Mrs. Lydia Beecher, the stepmother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, this benevolent group created a home for these individuals and planted the seeds of what would become LifeSphere.
Below is a timeline that begins in 1848 and continues through today.
[edit] Timeline
- 1848 Mrs. Lydia Beecher founds The Society for the Relief of Aged Indigent Women.
- 1851 The Society for the Relief of Aged Indigent Women changes its name to The Home for Aged and Indigent Women and incorporated.
- 1855 The Protestant Home for the Friendless and Foundlings is established by a group of Cincinnati ladies as a "refuge for destitute women".
- 1879 Abram M. Taylor, one of the first trustees of the Widows' Home, bequeaths money to establish a home for old men. He wants to consolidate the management of the Old Men's Home and the Widows' Home; the two organizations enter into an agreement.
- 1881 Mrs. Lauretta Gibson founds The Bodmann German Protestant Widows' Home.
- 1884 The Protestant Home for the Friendless and Foundlings changes its name to The Hospital and Home for the Friendless.
- 1916 The Bodmann German Protestant Widows' Home becomes the Bodmann Widows' Home.
- 1932 The Widow's Home and the Old Men's Home are officially consolidated and incorporate as the Widow's and Old Men's Home.
- 1950 The Hospital and Home for the Friendless becomes Maple Knoll Hospital and Home.
- 1973 The Maple Knoll Hospital and Home merges with the Widows' and Old Men's home under the leadership of Jerry D. Smart, president of the Widows' and Old Men's Home. Southwestern Ohio Seniors' Services, Inc. is introduced as the new corporate name for the merged organization.
- 1974 The Bodmann Widows' Home is merged into Southwestern Ohio Seniors' Services, Inc.
- 1977 Maple Knoll Village opens to seniors, providing independent living apartments and long-term nursing facilities.
- 1995 WMKV 89.3 FM, the flagship radio station of the LifeSphere network, opens in 1995 as the nations first educational public radio station to be licensed to a retirement community. The station features big band music and information regarding activities and services available to older adults.
- 1997 Sycamore Senior Adult Multi-Service Center, Inc. merges with SOSSI. Sycamore Senior Adult Multi-Service Center, Inc. includes Sycamore Senior Center, Anderson Senior Center, a home health agency and two elderly housing facilities, Mount View Terrace and Corbly Trace.
- 2000 SOSSI expands into Oxford, Ohio, opening a new retirement community called The Knolls of Oxford. When complete in 2004, The Knolls also will include 80 cottages, 40 assisted living apartments and 50 nursing care units.
- 2001 Southwestern Ohio Seniors' Services, Inc. becomes LifeSphere.
- 2001 LifeSphere helps to celebrate the Grand Opening of the brand new Sycamore Senior Center with an up to the minute facility as well as fresh programs.
- 2002 LifeSphere celebrates the Gran Opening of the Life Enriching Gardens located on the campus of Maple Knoll Village. The Gardens, which include a Memory Garden, Enabling Garden, and a Children's Garden, seek to improve the quality of life for those who live and work within the facility.
- 2002 Maple Knoll Village proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving older adults within the Greater Cincinnati area.
- 2003 James M. Formal takes over as the new President and CEO of LifeSphere. Mr. Formal sees his new position as an opportunity to serve the residents to the best of his ability and while doing so, to position LifeSphere to be successful far into the future.
- 2005 The Knolls of Oxford and Miami University enter into an affiliation that will advance interaction between the two organizations. Among the benefits of this agreement are: research and internship opportunities for students, new educational experiences, and increased intergenerational experiences for both parties.
- 2005 LifeSphere Home Health Services are recognized as a National Best Practice Agency and is also invited to take part in The National Hospitalization Study.
- 2006 Construction begins on the New Westminster Cottages. The 22 cottages are the largest in the history of LifeSphere.
- 2006 WMKV 89.3 FM signs an unprecedented agreement with FOX19 allowing WMKV to broadcast morning news. Other changes within the radio station include the revival of classic programs such as Theater of the Mind, Mystery Playhouse and The Big Broadcast.
