adminIt’s been a little over two years since we rebranded as Messiah Lifeways. And although I believe we’ve done a rather good job of educating residents, clients, the general public and even our own staff, the name change still confuses some people. As I’ve mentioned before, this is not the first time that the name has changed (please read – If It Ain’t Broken, Then Why Did We Fix It?).
For those who are still puzzled by it, here goes. The name Messiah Lifeways represents a whole host of different services and offerings to those age 55 and better in the Harrisburg region. We serve those who need care, want to be part of a community (both on and off the Mt. Allen Drive campus), are looking for zestful and purposeful living, or want a combination of each. Messiah Village still exists as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) and is still an integral part of our identity; however, it is no longer the overarching brand. Additionally, the name change was not part of a merger or buyout, but rather the evolution of whom we really are and who we serve. The moniker “Messiah Village” alone could no longer capture the spirit of the community outreach, services, and enrichment that are also a vital part of our identity. This broadening of our brand serves as a segue to today’s blog.
This April marks 30 years of service by Messiah Lifeways At Home. It is a testament of our commitment to helping people live longer and safer in their own home. At Home, along with other community support services like the Adult Day program, and Respite typify our broad spectrum of services beyond Messiah Village. We have always been on the cutting edge of the senior care industry. Some of these innovations included opening a children’s day care center on campus in 1978, starting the adult day program in 1993, and the creation of the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning eight years ago. However, most significant was the non-medical home care service, which unbeknownst to many, started in 1984. Somewhat counterintuitive to most CCRCs, we give older adults more choice beyond just moving here.
Serving clients from Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry and Northern York Counties, Messiah Lifeways At Home, formerly known as Messiah Village Home Care has been helping older adults with services such as assistance with activities of daily living, companionship, housekeeping, and laundry. As mentioned, this heritage and experience go all the way back to the Reagan administration, when a gallon of gas cost $1.10, and 80’s pop culture was in full swing, (see picture above). However, in the 80s and 90s, we didn’t tout this service all that much. This likely explains some of the disbelief when we mention that we’ve been providing home care for the last 30 years. But as competition and demand grew, consumers started to take notice. Fast-forward to the last several years, the offerings and exposure for At Home has really grown.
With home care services becoming more main stream, along with the expanding volume and desire for baby boomers to age in place, Messiah Lifeways At Home had become more vital to those who wished to stay in their own home as they aged. Several years back, we recognized that beyond traditional services like providing hands-on care, transportation, or housekeeping; we needed to offer other services like light maintenance, technology services, and emergency call systems as part of the solutions we provided. These services have assisted seniors in prolonging and fortifying their goal of aging in place.
Lastly, just as Messiah Lifeways has evolved, so too have the options to age in place, with Messiah Lifeways At Home leading the way. To request information or learn more about the many different options available through Messiah Lifeways At Home, please call 717.790.8209 or go to MessiahLifeways.org\AtHome.
