| |
|
Home Living Environments About Us Events Employment Resources |
About Us: |
Our History
Nine years later, the Board of Directors repurchased the outstanding stock issued to the Zion Lutheran Church and changed the name to Glacier Hills, Inc. to emphasize the non-sectarian character and culture of the retirement community. The leadership of the independent Board of Directors, composed of volunteer Ann Arbor community leaders, continued to further the vision of the founders. Their success was quickly heralded in the community. Glacier Hills continues to this day as the area’s only not-for-profit, non-sectarian, locally managed, Life-care continuing care retirement community. Glacier Hills soon established a reputation for excellence in long-term and rehabilitative care for older adults. Glacier Hills Nursing Center became a teaching nursing home for students from the University of Michigan and other higher learning institutions in the area. In 1990, the Nursing Center responded to the larger community's need and more than doubled its size. The new design showed the progressive character of Glacier Hills by using an innovative cluster design. Groups of rooms were located around individual dining and living rooms creating a serene, home-like feel. Each bed, whether in a single or a double room, was designed with a private window at the bedside for residents to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Also in the early '90s, Glacier Hills established one of the area’s first Assisted Living programs. This new program strengthened Glacier Hills' commitment to enhance the personal needs of each resident. Assisted Living is a way to provide personal care and individual attention to residents as their health needs change. Special programs were designed to foster independence while providing just the right amount of assistance. Always on the forefront of changing needs and trends, in 1996, Glacier Hills opened its innovative subacute wing of the Nursing Center. With hospitals shortening the hospital recovery stay, Glacier Hills’ subacute care program provides an important bridge between hospital and home. The subacute program was designed with clinical pathways to maximize the rehabilitation for older adults suffering from acute medical conditions, such as a serious fracture or stroke. Over the years, Glacier Hills underwent numerous renovations and improvements in its programs. This attention has helped it remain on the cutting edge and maintain its reputation for excellence in older adult living and care. In 1997, Glacier Hills received national accreditation from the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, sponsored by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. This great achievement timed well with Glacier Hills' celebration of its 25th anniversary. At the beginning of a new millennium, Glacier Hills remains poised to continue on its path of excellence and carry forth the vision of its founding fathers. The opening of Glacier Hills' new neighborhood, The Meadows, for active, independent older adults in 2002 will be a great new step in Glacier Hills' pathway along a continuum of care. |
 Home Living Environments About Us Events Employment Resources |
In the mid 1960s, Dr. Ralph Piper, pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church, and other church leaders had a vision to create a retirement community in Ann Arbor. They dreamed of providing gracious living, health care, security, socialization, and meals served elegantly in a beautiful dining room to older adults in the Ann Arbor area.
In October 1973, the Lutheran Retirement Center opened the doors of its state-of-the-art building with 226 apartments and a 70-bed nursing center. It was situated on 34 acres in a charming residential neighborhood of northeast Ann Arbor.