For Immediate Release
Contact: Diane Amari, Sales Director at (317) 736-1156

The Franklin United Methodist Community invites persons interested in independent, maintenance-free living, to visit several homes open to the public for tours. The Open House for independent cottage homes will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

The campus has nearly 200 homes in their campus neighborhood. Free guided bus tours of “ready to occupy” cottage homes will be available. Staff from the Community will answer questions and refreshments will be provided.

To help retirees age 62 or over who are looking for this independent retirement lifestyle,Franklin United has held their entrance fee on their cottage homes to the original 2004 price, as established by their Board of Directors.

Franklin United Methodist Community is an accredited, continuing care retirement community open to persons of all faiths and church denominations, on a 120-acre campus located on Highway 44 (Jefferson Street) across from Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin.

In a recent interview conversation with a prospective professional staff member, I said that I was grateful they could visit so they could see "Who We Are, What We Do, and Why We Do It!"

You can always tell someone about the number of employees you have, the number of residents you serve, your quality scorecard, your annual budget, and more, but what they really want to know is why you do what you do.

A note I received this morning from the daughter of one of our former residents, answers that million dollar question.

Suzy writes, Mom spent 6 1/2 years there...made many friends she dearly loved. Her caregivers on the Health Center not only cared for her, they encouraged and loved her. They are a dedicated, hard-working group of angels on earth for the work they do each and every day for all their residents. Bless your hearts for your compassion and care.

These "thank you" notes (this one with a little lady bug on it) remind our employees why they come to work every day! It is an honor to love and care for your families.

Rod Jackson (below left), new Administrator for FUMC, is shown with retiring Executive Director, Dr. Joseph L. Trueblood during a recent welcome reception with residents and staff. Rod is a licensed health facility administrator and will oversee Activities, Hospice, Medical Records, Nursing, Privacy, and Quality Assurance. Mr. Jackson did his initial administrator in training program under the preceptorship of Dr. Trueblood, who is completing 22 years with FUMC.

The Board of Directors announced that Mr. Keith B. Van Deman, current Associate Executive Director, will become the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Community on July 1, 2012.

An anonymous couple has given the Community a charitable gift to purchase a “gently used” Dixie Chopper Lawn Mower. This will help our Grounds Department by adding an additional mower to our “stable” and helping us update our equipment. If you have an interest in making a charitable gift or donation to FUMC, please contact Keith Van Deman, Associate Executive Director, to learn of our needs here and tax advantages available to you.

Our retirement community has many "behind the scenes" activities that make us who we are. For instance, one of those unsung hero departments is our Laundry. Comprised of 15 staff members, our Laundry does thousands of pounds of linen and clothes each week to care for the more than 300 residents who live in our assisted living and health care areas. Of course, the other 300 who live in their own independent homes and apartments here, have their own washers and dryers.

The picture above shows one area of the main Laundry with new adjustable tables that were recently donated, to help staff as they fold clothes.

What satisfaction it is when one of the residents proclaims, "I am so glad to have fresh towels in my place!" THANK YOU Laundry Staff!!

Franklin United Methodist Community, a continuing care retirement community with multiple levels of care accommodations, has been named by the U.S. News and World Report one of the "Best Nursing Homes in Indiana". FUMC is listed as one of 82 facilities who achieved this recognition, out of nearly 500 long-term care facilities in Indiana.

The Community has a comprehensive nursing care license for 208 accommodations including a Health Center, Special Care Units for Alzheimer's and dementia residents, and a short-term, Medicare approved Rehabilitation Services facility.

U.S. News and World Report utilizes the federal government's 5-Star CMS rating which evaluates many areas of operations as well as the results of annual survey inspections. Franklin United is a 5-Star rated facility.

Franklin United Methodist Community is located just 18 miles south of Indianapolis, the host of Super Bowl 46 on Sunday, February 5th. So our Chaplain wanted to help celebrate with the seniors who live in our Community, but without missing our regular afternoon Vesper Service in the Wright Memorial Chapel.

Imagine the kickoff of the message as a colorful bag carrying the "game ball" comes floating down the Zip Line from the Chapel Balcony. Then the start of the message can't be successful without the next bag zipping along bringing the Chaplain his Bible. Finally, the third and final bag zips from way up above to the Chancel area just in time for the Benediction, complete with the Chaplains "Game Day" jersey and can of Coke and snacks to enjoy the Big Game.

This Community continues to help all of our residents enjoy a "retirement experience filled with well-being and wholeness". That makes all of our people world champions!