The original idea for a nursing home in Yellow Springs originated with Arthur Morgan in the 1960's.  Morgan, former president of Antioch College and
prominent community leader, was instrumental in the establishment of the
Senior Citizen's Center and felt strongly that the village should have a nursing home.  Morgan's idea inspired enthusiasm among members of the Yellow
Springs Friends Meeting, and a committee formed that undertook preparatory
work on the idea.  In 1977 the Friends Meeting took the initiative to enlist community support for the establishment of a nursing home.  There was
unanimity on the need for such a facility to be located in Yellow Springs.

The Friends Health Care Association (FHCA) was established in 1977 as
a not-for-profit organization to provide health care services and convalescent
living arrangements for residents of the Yellow Springs community.  The initial Board was appointed by the Yellow Springs Friends Meeting.  The Board of Trustees of the Association currently consists of eleven members of the Yellow Springs community, six of whom are selected by the Friends Meeting of Yellow Springs.  The FHCA undertook the fundraising and construction of the FCC,
which opened in August 1980 as a fifty-bed skilled extended care facility.

The extended care facility was enlarged in 1983 to meet the increased demand for service.  The renovation included sixteen additional beds and a multipurpose room for resident and community activities, landscaping, and new system, a new roof, a storage garage, an expanded dining room, and a greenhouse.  In 2003-2004 the extended care center interior was completely renovated, with emphasis placed on creating a more home-like atmosphere in resident rooms and public spaces.

By 1999 the need for additional services became apparent and Friends Assisted Living Center opened with twenty rooms and suites.  Friends Independent Living Cottages followed in 2002.  These additional programs transformed FCC from a small nursing home to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC).  Through its facilities and programs, FCC strives to provide a welcoming, vibrant, and homelike environment.  The buildings and campus include a pre-school program for children, resident dogs and birds, a greenhouse, playground, large garden tended by high school students, and paved walking paths through woods and gardens.  A broad range of activities is offered for all levels of ability.  The facilities are also frequently used by community members for a variety of activities.

FCC has always been a leader in the field of geriatric and resident care and has been committed to development in those areas.  To further our commitment, FCC became the first nursing home in Ohio to admit people with AIDS in May 1987.  The Board and the Administration of FCC are committed to progress and leadership in the long-term care field and will continue to provide innovative and quality programs in the Yellow Springs community.

Friends Care Community strives to meet the residential living needs of seniors and others by providing a continuum of care and convalescent options in a homelike environment.  Through respect for the dignity and unique needs of each individual, we aspire to the happiness and fulfillment of all residents and staff and the confidence and trust of family members and the wider Yellow Springs community. (Revised 12/09)

Our ultimate purpose, therefore, is to provide our residents a care facility that offers:

• Individualized health care for each resident: restorative or supportive as appropriate.
• Maintenance of community involvement, including planned recruitment
  and use of regular volunteers from the village and college communities.
• A secure and friendly atmosphere of staff and surroundings that
  stresses appreciation of the individual personality of each resident
  and the recognition and protection of his/her rights.
• Particular concern for meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of the terminally ill and their families.
• Emphasis on nutrition with special attention to individual diets and preferences. Avoidance of "institutional" convenience foods. Nutritional counseling for residents about to move out of the Center, and for their families.
• Drugs used for medical reasons and resident welfare only, not for convenience of staff in management of residents. Careful consultation regarding their use with physician, staff, resident, and/or family (or resident-advocate in lieu of family).
• An environment that is restraint-free to maximize resident dignity and independence. Restraints are rarely used. An environment that is not
  only sanitary and medically adequate but provides privacy, comfort, aesthetic interest and maximum aids to self-care. A range of social settings, including outdoor areas.
• An openness wherein fears can be acknowledged, expressed and
  let go so that room is made for love.

Our purpose further, is to provide our employees a work situation that offers:

• A respect for the personal needs and capabilities of each employee.
• Opportunity to each employee for personal growth and improvement of skills.
• Recognition of the needs of each employee to be openly heard, positively supported, and fairly treated.
• Opportunity for each employee to contribute to the quality of care at FCC.
• Open communications within and among all sectors of the staff, residents, families and Board of Directors.
• A respect for job security and employment satisfaction.
• Wages and benefits as rewarding as the economic factors of FCC operation will allow.
  

The Community accomplishes quality of work and care through a management that uses participatory methods wherever appropriate. Management sets the tone of two-way open communication and teamwork that extends to all employees and to relationships with residents and families.

The Community studies and accepts what seems sound in developments in the field of geriatric care, health care personnel developments and care management. FCC stands ready to make contributions to these fields as occasion offers.