[Wallingford, Shelton, CT] – On May 13, 2024, two of Connecticut’s legacy senior living providers announced their intent to join forces in a historic strategic alliance. Masonicare Corporation, Connecticut’s largest not-for-profit senior care organization and United Methodist Homes, Inc. (“UMH”), a 150-year-old organization with five locations in Connecticut as well as an active third-party management business, entered into an agreement to join forces through a carefully planned alliance designed to strengthen the delivery of care and services for the approximately 6,500 residents and patients in their care. Once concluded, this strategic union will mark a significant milestone in the history of both organizations and will set the stage for a new era of growth, innovation, and sustainability.
With a shared commitment to excellence and a rich heritage steeped in values, Masonicare and UMH will bring together a wealth of strengths, resources and expertise that will propel the unified organization to new heights. “By combining our complementary capabilities and talent, we will be poised to create a stronger, more resilient organization that is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our residents, patients and stakeholders,” states Jon-Paul Venoit, President and CEO of Masonicare. “From our dedicated teams, to our cutting-edge technologies and extensive partner networks, we are confident that the alliance will enable us to deliver even greater value to those in our care.”
As part of the agreement, UMH will become part of the Masonicare family. Jon-Paul Venoit will remain as President and CEO of Masonicare and David Lawlor, the current President and CEO of the United Methodist Homes, will hold an executive role serving as Masonicare’s CFO and also President of its management/consulting services division. The alliance remains subject to, among other things, regulatory approvals and approval from the organizations’ governing bodies. The parties anticipate that the affiliation will be completed in early 2025.
“Our goal is clear: to harness the collective strengths, talent, and know-how of both companies to form one stronger, enduring, mission-based organization that redefines the standards of excellence in the field of senior living. We are excited to embark on this transformative journey and thrive into the future,” states Lawlor.
Upon consummation, the newly combined organization will work to integrate their teams, systems and processes in a seamless transition.
Both Masonicare and UMH credit their dedicated staff and visionary Board members with making this alliance a reality.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Ann Collette
Chief, Strategy
Masonicare
203-695-2799
acollette@masonicare.org
Masonicare
Masonicare is Connecticut’s largest not-for-profit integrated senior care continuum. With residential living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, senior behavioral health hospital, home health care, homemaker companion, and hospice & palliative care, Masonicare cares for nearly 4.500 patients and residents a day. For more information, visit them on the web at www.masonicare.org
United Methodist Homes
UMH is a 150-year-old organization which owns and operates five communities in Connecticut and also owns The Long Hill Company, a for-profit management and consulting firm with current operations in Texas, Oklahoma and Oregon. Together, UMH and Long Hill care for approximately 2,000 residents each day.
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For over 100 years, Masonic Health System of MA, Inc., or The Overlook in Charlton, has provided a continuum of care and health services for Massachusetts residents and their families. Today, The Overlook tailors to individuals with a wide variety of needs. They offer independent living, enhanced assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, home health, and hospice.
Back in 2020, Masonic Health System of MA, Inc. suffered some substantial blows at the hands of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Extreme staffing shortages, an increase in outside agency wages, and an increase in the costs in delivery of care hit us hard. To add insult to injury, the MA Department of Public Health forced multiple shutdowns to new admissions.
However, perseverance was key at The Overlook, as it still is today. We are still serving our senior community, despite having to absorb decreases in reimbursement and reductions in payments outside of our control, such as:
These obstacles make us prouder than ever of our 110+ year history at Masonic Health System! We remain extremely optimistic about The Overlook’s future. Our methods of proactively addressing these concerns with grit and innovative solutions are a testament to our resiliency. We refuse to be crippled and derailed like so many other companies. In fact, The Overlook experienced 31 sales in 2022, 28 sales in 2023, and an occupancy rate exceeding 93%. We are poised and positioned for an exciting future!
In July 2022, The Overlook completed a Request for Proposal for a large Master Planning process, targeting ten highly reputable national agencies. After narrowing the respondents from 10 to 4 finalists, MHS is proud to be working with RLPS & Witz Company, The Overlook’s Master Planning architects and development partners as of October 2022.
From restaurants to hiking trails to meaningful and enriching experiences, The Overlook is determined to enhance the way we age and engage. Excitingly, partnerships and developments have already begun! We now have a full-service veterinary clinic on Overlook’s Campus in Charlton and an affiliation with the National Innovation Center for Aging in Newcastle, England. The Overlook is now the first senior living hub/community of longevity in the United States!
The Overlook’s Master Planning process will also reinvigorate its Fund Development and Philanthropy Program. With the launch of a Capital Campaign to help raise funds for the project, we are already on the road to completion.
A successful Master Plan will ensure The Overlook’s long-term viability and ability to serve its Mission for years to come. The implementation of this plan will progress in two phases:
Phase 1 focuses on relocating and renovating, and will take 2+ years to complete. During Phase 1, we will be:
In conjunction with Phase 1, Master Planning Phase 2 will transform The Overlook beyond its singular Mission of serving older adults. Instead, we will be shifting to a multi-generational, mixed-use Campus! This involves creating a “Village Center” with numerous outlets for individuals of all ages. Here, they will be able to build and enjoy life through exciting amenities, services, and programs designed to positively impact lifestyle, health and wellness. We expect Phase 2 to take 5+ years to complete.
We encourage you to read more on our blog and reach out to us for a tour and more information at 866-753-5429!
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The challenges and complexities of the U.S. health care and senior services system are real. Trying to navigate the system during a difficult time in one’s life can add additional stress to patients, residents, and their families. To alleviate those pressures, Masonicare, our Connecticut membership branch, created CareConnect Navigator Services.
Masonicare’s CareConnect Navigator Services — a complimentary program — was designed to help guide you through the process of acquiring the care and services you need. Masonicare strongly promotes freedom of choice and gives recommendations so you can make the most informed decision about where you receive services.
Our CareConnect Navigator, Audrey Grove, can walk you through your financial commitments, insurance coverage and transitions of care. If your relative is the one who is entering the health care system, Audrey can help you understand where your loved one belongs in the array of health and wellness options.
Audrey has dedicated her career to working with older Americans as they transition through retirement and senior living. She facilitates support groups and coordinates a statewide educational program for seniors, working with community partners to help craft better resources and opportunities for them.
Like all Masonicare services, this program is open to all. From referrals and recommendations to education and support, the CareConnect Navigator is available to assist you with accessing the services, care and support you or your loved one needs.
The MasoniCARECONNECT app is launching this September for residents in our Wallingford Independent Living community. The app offers streamlined access to the Masonicare continuum as well as the ability to easily take advantage of social and wellness programs.
Plans are already in place to expand the app to other locations/communities, as well as give access to families, employees and future residents.
In the meantime, you can contact our CareConnect Navigator directly at 888.332.0033 or via email at CareConnect@masonicare.org.
For information on Masonic Membership, visit our Membership page.
Whether 1,000 or 100,000 Freemasons are on the roster, fulfilling the Masonic obligation to care for members of the Masonic Family is the heartbeat of Freemasonry, even if it looks different across jurisdictional lines. The partnership between The Grand Lodge of Oregon and The Order of the Eastern Star has endured for over a century, displaying a committed dedication to members’ well-being. Their shared objective of providing comprehensive care and support to the aging population has evolved to address the changing needs of seniors, younger members, and their families.
For over a century, the Masonic and Eastern Star Home of Oregon, now known as The Jennings McCall Retirement Community, has been a source of comfort and care for the Masonic Family. Throughout the years, it has transitioned into a more modern facility and the original Home now serves as a local boutique hotel, benefitting the community as well as the Oregon Masonic charities.
As the need for additional care options arose, MasonicAid was launched in 2010 to provide personalized support and promote holistic well-being. This includes outreach services such as in-home care, resource referral, case management, and financial assistance. While The Jennings McCall Retirement Community is now open to the public, MasonicAid continues to play a crucial role in extending support to the Masonic Family no matter where they live. Through forged connections with local organizations, medical professionals, and community partners, MasonicAid ensures clients have access to the right care and support they require.
In this regard, the hybrid model emerges as an exceptional approach that blends the best of multiple worlds. It is a shining example of what organizations with a shared vision can achieve, empowering members to live with confidence, security, and a strong sense of belonging.
To learn more about MasonicAid and the other branches of the Masonic Communities and Services Association, fill out our contact form on our website.
SHANNON BYRNE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
502-494-8047
LOUISVILLE, KY
©2024 – All Rights Reserved – MCSA
Website by Honeywick
SHANNON BYRNE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
502-494-8047
LOUISVILLE, KY
©2024 – All Rights Reserved – https://www.masoniccommunities.org/ Website Design by Honeywick