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Lutheran Home marks 50 years in 2022

The Lutheran Home, 2825 Bloomfield Rd., Cape Girardeau, began in 1972 and now covers 36 acres. Photo by Gregory Dullum

The Lutheran Home is celebrating 50 years in 2022.

“We’re super excited about that,” Melody Harpur told a Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce business breakfast in January. At the time, she was director of marketing and community development for the Lutheran Home.

“In the beginning, a lot of folks just got together from some of the local Lutheran congregations, and they said, ‘Man, we really need to figure out a place that will take care of some of our elderly in the community. What are we going to do?’ And so they all put their heads together … and then they said, “We’re going to get some land and we’re going to open up a nursing home to take care of our folk.’”

The Lutheran Home started with just 60 beds. It has grown over the years, and is currently licensed for 274. Located at 2825 Bloomfield Road in Cape Girardeau, the campus has expanded to cover 36 acres.

“We have two assisted-living buildings on our campus. We’ve got 84 apartments, 50 duplexes. We have our own in-home health and hospice agency,” added Harpur. The in-home health and hospice agency serves people both on and off campus.

“I know a lot of people drive by, or they only go to the front,” Harpur said. “Feel free sometime, if you’re out, to go behind that main health center building, because it is like an entire community back in there. It’s super nice. We love it.”

Residents can feel safe and secure because there is 24-hour security.

“We are also one of the largest employers in the area,” Harpur commented. “We employ nearly 450 people.”

The Lutheran Home has received numerous awards and recognitions in its 50 years.

Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing care is designed for individuals who cannot care for themselves due to physical, emotional or mental conditions.

The Lutheran Home offers 274 beds in its skilled nursing facility, making it the largest facility of its type in Southeast Missouri.

Nursing home staff provides assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, getting in and out of bed, moving about, incontinence care and all of the activities of daily living.

Providence Place

Providence Place is a rehab-to-home facility, which focuses on helping patients get better faster so they can go home sooner. It is a state-of-the-art therapy center with a hotel-like setting which offers private dining or room service.

Providence Place consists of all private suites with private bathrooms and showers. There is plenty of space for families to come visit.

It offers physical, occupational and speech therapy, along with transportation to doctor appointments. The average overall stay is 15 days.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living is ideal for seniors who need long- or short-term help with daily living.

There are two assisted-living facilities on the campus. These are “for folks who still are pretty much independent,” explained Harpur. “They can come and go as they please, but we’re going to go in there and take their temperature, the blood sugars on a regular basis if needed. We’re going to make sure they are getting their medication properly. We’re going to be making sure they’re eating three meals a day and getting some snacks. And one of the biggest things is socialization — making sure they have an opportunity to socialize with others.”

Housekeeping and laundry services are available. Outings are offered using buses or vans. These can include trips to Walmart or a trip to see autumn leaves.

Providence Pointe

Providence Pointe, located in one of the assisted living facilities, offers transitional care for people who are not quite ready to go home; they may need their confidence built up. They can stay in these studio apartment-like rooms for a week or two at a cost that may be less than some hotel rooms.

Memory Care

Memory Care is a self-contained unit that provides specialized care for those who have memory loss.

Saxony Village

Saxony Village, a retirement community, turned 25 last year. “That’s the big part of the campus that’s behind the health center with the duplexes and the apartments,” Harpur said. “There are 13 different floor plans you can choose from. They have all kinds of cool stuff there. They have their own exercise/warm water pool, they’ve got their own fitness center, you can play pool.”

In addition, “Every building on our campus has its own beauty salon,” Harpur said. “We’ve been here for 50 years and we’re hoping to be here another 50.”

Photos by Gregory Dullum
The Lutheran Home, 2825 Bloomfield Rd., Cape Girardeau, began in 1972 and now covers 36 acres.

Gregory Dullum has worked for The Cash-Book Journal for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming the editor in May 2017, he was production manager, circulation manager and reporter. Before moving to Cape Girardeau in 1988, he was editor of the Saint Louis Park Sailor, a weekly community newspaper in suburban Minneapolis, MN. A native of Minnesota, he returned there after graduating with distinction in 1978 from Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA, with a degree in mass communications. His wife, Marie, whom he met in college, is a native of Zalma, a small town in southeast Missouri. They have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. Gregory may be reached at cashbook@mvp.net.

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