In the list of choices available for retirement options, what makes an Episcopal Retirement Homes (ERH) community jump off the page? According to R. Douglas Spitler, President and CEO of ERH, there are five key distinctions that make and identify an ERH community.

1. ERH’s affiliation with the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio and the dedication to faith-based living. This infuses an ERH community with a spiritual dimension that extends to the definition and implementation of ERH’s core values. Through chapels, the meditation rooms and the support from an experienced chaplains, ERH residents benefit from this commitment. Furthermore, ERH has more than 50 years of experience and leadership in retirement living.

2. ERH is a not-for-profit establishment. This provides both the residents and the organization with important financial benefits. As a demonstration of its commitment to its not-for-profit mission, ERH pledges to provide for residents even if personal assets and income are depleted. ERH is built on a sound financial structure that devotes more than $1.4 million of financial support to its residents each year to back up this promise.

3. ERH is focused on the resident through programs and services that are meaningful and fulfilling. In a recent independent satisfaction survey conducted with the residents of the Cincinnati communities, ERH was valued in the 98th percentile. This verified the quality experienced by residents, which is also demonstrated through the designation of accreditation through the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

4. ERH has a concentration on its staff and the employee environment. Believing that a great place to work equals delighted residents, ERH spends considerable time and resources ensuring staff satisfaction. The results have proven dramatic with reduced staff turnover and increased staff initiative.

5. ERH has chosen to be the innovative leader in creating a program of overall wellness for the residents. The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging has recognized this guidance with an award for Best Practices. For ERH, wellness programs include six dimensions: the spiritual, emotional, vocational, physical, intellectual and social.

With a deliberate method for introducing and delivering wellness services and opportunities, ERH changes the perceptions and limitations of aging. Residents complete a self-assessment and form a partnership with staff to create a personal plan for wellness. ERH has the experience and vision to make retirement interesting and exciting – an experience that enriches the body, mind and spirit.