Luthercare

Empowering People to Live Healthy, More Socially Connected Lives.

Larry and Nancy, with their white Border Collie mix, Satchel, prepare a snack in their Luther Acres cottage.

Overview

Type of Community:
Continuing Care Retirement Community

Range of Services:
Luthercare’s three senior living communities – Luther Acres in Lititz, St. John’s Herr Estate in Columbia and Spang Crest in Lebanon – offer a lifestyle rich in services, amenities and programs. Luthercare offers active independent living, supportive personal care, memory care, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, in-home services and childcare services.

Residential Options:
Our communities feature comfortable and stylish independent living cottages and apartments in a wide variety of sizes and designs. Most feature patios or balconies. We also offer beautifully updated private rehabilitation rooms; private or companion personal care suites; and private or semi-private skilled nursing care rooms.

On-Campus Activities:
Our communities offer a variety of on-campus cultural, social and recreational opportunities. Activities range from live music and entertainment to happy hours, and from book or computer clubs to the option of tending flowers or vegetables at a campus greenhouse or gardens.

Health/Fitness:
Our organization is committed to delivering a well-rounded health and wellness experience. We offer fully-equipped fitness centers with trained personnel who teach a variety of exercise and wellness classes. Our campuses offer beautifully landscaped grounds with pathways, patios and resting spots for walking and enjoying time with friends and family. We also feature a variety of clubs and team sports, from a bicycle club to walking groups to a water volleyball team.

Our Pet Philosophy: We happily welcome pets and visits from pets, and we strongly believe they positively impact our residents’ health and well-being! Studies have shown us that there are many health benefits to interacting with pets. Pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness, and they can increase opportunities for socialization, outdoor activities and exercise.

We welcome: Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and fish. Other types of pets will also be considered.

Restrictions: Pet owners should reside in Independent Living cottages and apartments. Dogs are permitted in cottages and first-floor apartments where direct access to the outdoors is available. Guests are welcome to bring well-mannered pets to visit in any level of care.

Partnership with Therapy Groups: We are open to partnering with nonprofit organizations at our campuses! We currently partner with FairyTail Acres The Rescue, a nonprofit organization that brings therapy pigs and goats to Luther Acres in Lititz twice a month. Another organization, KPETS, visits monthly with therapy dogs.

Resident Therapy Pets: While we do not have resident therapy pets, we have a resident campus dog at Luther Acres in Lititz. Rosie, a 5-and-a-half-year-old miniature goldendoodle, has brought much joy to residents and staff since her arrival as an 8-week-old puppy. While she is usually found greeting residents in the healthcare center, residents from across the campus visit her on a regular basis, bringing treats and snuggles.

Deposits/fees: None.

Rosie, the Luther Acres campus pup, shares a moment with resident Doris.

Weight/size limit: No, but the executive directors at our campuses do review the type and size of pet.
Are residents permitted to have more than one pet? Residents may have no more than two pets in a residence.

Exercise: While we do not have designated areas for dogs to exercise, our campuses have plenty of green space and walking paths perfect for walking and exercising dogs.

Does your community plan/host/sponsor special pet-related activities? We’ve had some fun pet-related activities, from a canine companion “wedding” to our annual birthday party for Rosie. We’ve served as a training site for therapy pets, and we’ve hosted National Pig Day parties for the therapy pigs that visit.

Are residents’ visitors permitted to bring their pets on campus? We welcome visitors to bring their pets to visit family members or friends. We ask that all pets be of good temperament, house-broken and up-to-date on their vaccinations.

In case of emergency: When pet owners move to a Luthercare community, we ask that they have at least two emergency contacts who could respond in an emergency to care for the resident’s pet.

If emergency pet-care services are not available, is your community able to provide references? If the resident’s emergency contacts are not available, then paid services (such as a pet sitter or kennel) would ideally be arranged by the resident or resident’s family. In the event that is not possible, Luthercare would contract an emergency pet service for the resident, but the cost would be the resident’s responsibility.

Is there a pet-supply store located within or near your community? There are pet supply stores located a short driving distance from our communities.

Paperwork/certifications: To balance pet ownership with maintaining a community living environment comfortable for all residents, we ask pet owners to review and agree to the Luthercare pet policy, which explains that pets must be well-mannered, non-disruptive and licensed and/or registered for all local laws and ordinances. The agreement also provides Luthercare with information on the pet’s local veterinarian and emergency contacts.

Are there veterinary practices located near your community? There are several options for veterinary practices near our communities.

Do you allow or make available visits from mobile veterinary practices? Yes.

Is the design of your residences pet-friendly? We offer stain-resistant carpeting and vinyl flooring, as well as the ability to customize flooring materials.