A History
of Serving Older Adults
 On
May 27, 1951, ten prominent Cincinnatians joined together
to form the Memorial Homes Foundation (later known as
Episcopal Retirement Homes, Inc.). Their purpose was
to promote the development and provide for the operation
of Christian homes for the aged.
 The
Foundation's Bishop Theodore Irving Reese Home in Clifton
was a residence for 20 ladies. Eleanor Holmes, who became
its director, was an early advocate on behalf of the
elderly. She stressed the importance of maintaining
a home-like atmosphere where respect for each individual
and freedom of choice were paramount. From these humble
beginnings, Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community was
born.
When Marjorie Purves Lee, a founding trustee of the
Home, became terminally ill, she told her husband Charles
she wanted to build a new home for her "dear ladies."
Following Mrs. Lee's death, Charles S. Lee donated funds
for a home in memory of his beloved wife, Marjorie P.
Lee. In November 1963, The Marjorie P. Lee Home on Shaw
Avenue was completed.
Many changes and developments have since occurred. These
include several improvements of Marjorie P. Lee, the
purchase of Canterbury Court, Deupree House and Deupree
Health Center. One thing, however, has remained unchanged:
Episcopal Retirement Homes' dedication to improving
the lives of older adults.
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Timeline
1951 Memorial Homes Foundation (predecessor to
Episcopal Retirement Homes) forms; 20 ladies are served
in a private home, known as the Bishop Theodore Irving
Reese Home
1963 Marjorie P. Lee (MPL) completed
at 3550 Shaw Avenue. The residence, donated by Charles
S. Lee in memory of his wife, is home to 60 older adults
1970 Meals on Wheels and other outreach
services begin
1973 MPL opens two new additions:
a 24-bed nursing care center and 126 independent living
apartments
1974 Second floor of MPL's nursing
center complete; property for the original Hyde Park
Center for Older Adults at 3534 Edwards is purchased
(it was later moved in 1978 to the corner of Erie and
Shaw)
1981 Canterbury Court opens in West
Carrollton, Ohio, featuring 150 independent apartments
and full Section 8 subsidy; Whetstone Convalescent Center
in Columbus purchased
1982 Deupree House is acquired, providing
luxury independent living apartments
1985 Memorial Homes Foundation changes
its name to Episcopal Retirement Homes, Inc. to reflect
the organization’s Episcopal connection.
1986 Enriched Living Home Health Care
begins
1987 ERH acquires a 150-bed nursing
care center, naming it St. Luke Center (later to become
Deupree Health Center); R. Douglas Spitler, previously
executive director of Whetstone in Columbus, becomes
ERH president and CEO; ERH's central offices move to
Virginia Avenue.
1988 ERH assumes full responsibility
of the Meals on Wheels program for eastern Cincinnati
1991 St. Luke’s services are
extended to include assisted living and memory support
1995 ERH initiates Partnership Teams,
combining process management and teams for greater resident
satisfaction
1997 Whetstone is sold to enable development
of a new CCRC in Columbus area
1998 Deupree Health Center adds Assisted
Living apartments and additional Nursing Care accommodations;
Enriched Living Home Health Care is sold due to continuing
decline in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement; Parish
Health Ministry initiated
1999 Seven strategies created to accomplish
ERH’s mission
2000 ERH formalizes its wellness philosophy,
focusing on six dimensions
2001 ERH celebrates its 50th anniversary
2002 One Care Street, ERH’s
wellness partner program, is launched; The Center for
Integrative Care at Marjorie P. Lee opens opens
2003 Zoning
granted to improve the Marjorie P. Lee campus; additional Centers for Integrative Care open at Deupree House and Deupree Health Center; ERH wins the Health Care Heroes Employer Award from the Business Courier
2004 ERH hosts its premier adult health and wellness conference, entitled Living Well Into the Future; Deupree House zoning is approved for campus improvements; pre-sales begin
2005 Ground breaks at Deupree House to add 60 apartments, a wellness center and expanded dining area
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Programs