United Methodist Elder Care Our Mission and History
It has been over 30 years since the doors of the "Methodist Retirement Center" opened to elder residents. Since that time, the mission has evolved to a continuum of senior living options; from independent retirement apartments, to assisted living apartments, to skilled nursing home care. Since our inception, we have supported our 206 resident’s desire for maximized independence.
Our mission remains as it was at the beginning, "We are a community where older persons live in comfort, dignity, and with purpose."
That mission takes on new meaning in the face of today’s challenges. Our population is aging in place, becoming more fragile, requiring more assistance with daily living; and yet, wanting to remain as independent as possible. In response to that need, UMEC reconstructed 50 units of affordable assisted living within Winslow Gardens, their HUD 202 project for low to moderate income elderly in East Providence. This initiative makes assisted living financially feasible and accessible without the dislocation of an out-of-community move. Rehabilitative services on site make it possible for residents to ‘come home’ from a hospital stay as early as possible and continue recuperating with us.
Chronology:
� Winslow Gardens, formerly the United Methodist Retirement Center opened on April 1st, 1971. The first HUD 202 elderly housing project in Rhode Island, Winslow Gardens serves low/moderate income elderly. It is located in the East Providence, Rhode Island. 51% of residents are 86 to 104 years of age.
� A full service dining room was added in 1974.
� On September 11th, 1977 we broke ground on an 84 bed skilled nursing care facility, Linn Health Care Center, formerly the United Methodist Health Care Center.
� In 1995, we added restorative nursing, as well as, occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
� On September 1, 1996 we opened 25 units of affordable assisted living within the HUD 202 project retirement facility; making us the first HUD based licensed and certified Assisted Living program in Rhode Island and New England. An additional 25 units opened in June, 2003.