Retirement home to close in 2002

--- Nikolas Cobiella Wilets/The Capital-Journal

By CHRISTIE APPELHANZ

The Capital-Journal

The United Methodist Home will close its doors by June 30, 2002, after 98 years in Topeka, forcing 150 residents of the retirement home to move.

Dean Edson, United Methodist Homes Inc. executive director, said the move will save the not-for-profit organization about $800,000 a year. The board has been working on plans to close "The Home," at 1135 S.W. College, for about 10 years because operating two facilities wasn't cost efficient. UMH Inc. also manages Aldersgate Village retirement community at 7220 S.W. Asbury Drive.

The residents were told Friday of the plans. All will have the opportunity to move to Aldersgate, which currently houses 350 residents. Additional living space will be constructed at Aldersgate if necessary to accommodate all potential residents.

"Some residents will take this as a convenient time to move closer to family members, but those residents who wish to move to Aldersgate Village may begin doing so now," said Sharon Johnson, UMH board of trustees president. UMH will coordinate and pay moving costs to Aldersgate for residents.

Edson said the $800,000 in savings will come from eliminating duplication of services in such areas as housekeeping, maintenance, laundry and office staff. He maintained there "probably" won't be job cuts because staff will be absorbed at Aldersgate after The Home closes. UMH Inc. employs 430 at the two facilities, including 140 employees at The Home.

"The Home is a historic building with a lot of wonderful memories," he said, "but costs of compliance with regulations and modernization of the building have become a burden."

The United Methodist Home first opened in 1904 as a retirement facility for Methodist ministers. Since then, it has come to offer retirement services to people of all faiths and walks of life. In 1979, UMH Inc. opened Aldersgate, a retirement community in southwest Topeka that offers a variety of services, including independent living, assisted living and health care.

Edson said two groups have expressed an interest in the United Methodist Home building. Although he declined to name the parties, he said they don't plan keep it a retirement home.

"We'd like to see the building put to good use in the future," he said. "That's a key part of our planning process."

UNITED METHODIST HOME

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