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The National Lutheran Home is a service
agency affiliated with the Metropolitan Washington, DC, Virginia and Delaware-Maryland
Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). All services and
facilities of the Home are available to every resident equally without regard to race,
color, national origin, or the plan under which admitted. The National Lutheran
Home was incorporated in the District of Columbia on Dec. 13, 1890, and
reincorporated on Nov. 12, 1902. |
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Mrs. Sarah Utermehle offered a gift
of a 27 acre tract of land at what is now 18th & Douglas Streets, NE, not too far from
her church, the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Washington, DC to be used for the site
of the National Lutheran Home. This gift was in response to a request from national church
leaders in 1889.
Since 1890, the Home has grown from a small residential facility for older adults to a
large, full-service, and highly-specialized Continuing Care Retirement Community
(CCRC). It serves persons in a wide range of ages, from 65 to 103; and care
requirements, from fully independent living to skilled nursing care.
In August, 1980, the Home moved to its present location in Rockville, Maryland. The
National Lutheran Home campus consists of a 300-bed main facility and the 129-unit
Independent Living Program (ILP) Community.
Residents are served by 262 well-trained staff of which 146 are nursing personnel. There
is a physician on duty each day to meet the medical needs of residents. Other
available medical services include dentists, optical and medical specialists, physical and
occupational therapists. A full-time chaplain is available to meet spiritual needs
and conduct regular worship services.
Other staff include a Volunteer Director to plan and coordinate 180 registered volunteers.
A fully staffed Activities Department provides daily activities, special trips and
interest groups. The National Lutheran Home Chorus numbers approximately 40 Home and
ILP residents. The Chorus shares its musical talents within the Home, community
organizations and congregations.
A history of sound fiscal management has allowed the Home to build an endowment to fund
the financial needs of 55% of the nursing facility residents who cannot afford the full
cost of care.
Throughout the past 113 years, the sense of commitment, compassion and caring that
distinguishes the Home from other communities has not just survived; it has
prospered. The same spirit drives the Home's unyielding effort to keep pace with
change and provide the best environment possible for today's older adults.
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