History

In 2000, Kendal at Oberlin began the process of preparing to offer a continuum of care contract for persons residing in their homes. A legal review was done with Baker & Hostetler, who verified that there are no Ohio laws to prevent this program from being offered by an existing continuing care retirement community. This development is a more natural extension of Kendal at Oberlin's mission to serve older adults.

In 2001, Kendal at Oberlin received a grant of $50,000 from The Cleveland Foundation for the planning phase of Kendal at Home.  In January and June of 2002 Kendal at Oberlin received the first and second installment, respectively of $25,000 each, toward the continuing care at home project. Kendal at Oberlin utilized the entire amount of the grant ($50,000) provided by the Cleveland Foundation to complete the planning phase of Kendal at Home.

In 2002, Kendal engaged Cadbury Consulting and Cadbury Continuing Care at Home to assist with the determination of the market and actuarial viability of the program. Third Age, Inc., was retained by Cadbury to conduct the necessary market research.

The research consisted of two phases:

• Phase I - Statistical or secondary market research, which included conducting key informant interviews, analyzing the demographic profile of the potential service areas and the application of market share tests.
• Phase II - Primary market research consisting of a telephone survey and subsequent focus groups.

The Cleveland Foundation also awarded Kendal at Home an additional amount of $170,000 to support further development and implementation of the Continuing Care at Home program for Northeast Ohio.  In addition to The Cleveland Foundation, numerous Kendal communities aided this program.  Kendal Corporation, Kendal at Hanover, Kendal-Crosslands and Kendal at Oberlin all provided loans to Kendal at Home.  All of these organizations helped to support the launching of this program.

In 2003, Lynne Giacobbe was appointed Executive Director.  The location for the office was chosen in Westlake, Ohio.

During 2004, the remaining staff was hired, providers were located, seminars were held across Northeast Ohio and the first members joined the program.