Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village opened its doors on its current campus in 1929 and walking into the main building is like visiting the past. The architecture and the historical photos are signs of a mission that has stood the test of time:
The Board of Directors, Administration and Staff of Augsburg Lutheran Home are committed to the mission of serving the elderly, particularly our Lutheran brothers and sisters, by caring for them as if they were the Lord Himself.We accomplish this mission by responding to Jesus’ demand that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our mind and that we love our neighbor as ourselves. The service of others is at the center of all decisions and actions.
Augsburg is totally committed to life and each individual is recognized as a child of God who has potential and responsibility. We emphasize the ability of each individual to reach his or her potential.
It is love that is the heart of Augsburg’s mission. Augsburg involves our Lutheran congregations in this love by offering them the opportunity to be partners in providing care to our residents through our volunteer programs and by supporting us financially.
Deep roots, however, have not kept this CCRC just outside of Baltimore, Md from evolving as the field of aging services and the needs of its residents change. They are currently in the process of transforming their Medicaid-certified nursing home into neighborhoods that will feel more like home. It is the agile nature of the community that retains staff, including Executive Director Glenn Scherer. As we walked through the community, I met many staff members who have been at Augsburg for 10, 15, 20 years. What makes them stay? Their love of the residents, their colleagues and Augsburg’s mission.
Glenn shared that each of the last 3 ideas he had for Augsburg began as nuggets he picked up at an AAHSA conference. From there he would draw and write until he had completely fleshed out his idea. As he led me to the conference room, his latest idea was displayed – the plans for the new neighborhoods in their health center. But these plans aren’t simply about moving a nurse’s station or making a homelike setting. Opposite the plans are Augsburg’s approach to culture change. Their approach is specific for the needs of their community and authored by their own staff.
It is the love of their residents, staff and history that keeps Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village moving forward toward a future of continued service. The only question left to ask is, what will they do next?
