There's no place like home, and for many seniors, living in their homes and remaining independent for as long as possible is an important goal. So, for more than 15 years, Albany's Mennonite Village has offered a steadily growing in‐home care service that provides domestic and personal care for older adults in their own homes. Clients can reside in the Mennonite Village or anywhere in Linn or Benton Counties.

Now, seniors have even more reasons to live at home with the announcement from the state of Oregon that Mennonite Village’s In‐Home Care operation is deficiency‐free.

Since 2002, the state has regulated in‐home care services, but with only one surveyor visiting the 120+ agencies throughout Oregon. Mennonite Village In‐Home Care had its first survey in April.

"This state survey is about working together to create a better agency. It facilitates a valuable learning process, which has been very helpful from our point of view," explained In‐Home Care Department administrator Mary Scott. "We were pleasantly surprised when we passed with flying colors."

State regulations require extremely accurate paperwork and attention to detail. The In‐Home Care Department demonstrated proficiencies in all the surveyed areas, which include policies and procedures; hiring procedures, staff orientation and on‐going education; client medications management; and whether service plans for each client are updated in a timely manner. Scott said that in addition to adhering tightly to the regulations, her department is especially conscious of the personal connection between caregivers and clients.

"We are a small enough agency that we can personally introduce our staff to the new client in the comfort of their own home. That means a lot to us and to the client."

Scott also said her staff is equipped to evaluate a client’s well‐being. Often, caregivers can recognize issues and take steps to resolve them before they become big problems. And they can recommend the right time for a client to consider a different living arrangement – bringing peace of mind for the client’s family.

Mennonite Village's In‐Home Care offers a range of services to seniors living in Linn and Benton Counties, including housekeeping, meal preparation, personal errands, bathing assistance, nail care, medication management, Alzheimer's and dementia care, hospice support, supplemental home health service, and exercise and companionship.

Clients are evaluated as to their needs and a service plan is created that is tailored to the individual person or couple. Depending on those needs, clients can utilize In‐Home Care services for four to 24 hours a day.