Lutheran Homes of Michigan recently received a grant from Thrivent Financial to help support the music therapy program for seniors who are facing early stage memory loss or dementia, and hospice care. Read more about it at http://bit.ly/ug8Hwx.

FRANKENMUTH, MICH., DECEMBER 9, 2011 — The 13th annual Hearts for Hospice benefit dinner will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. The benefit, hosted by Hospice of Hope of Lutheran Homes of Michigan, is held each year in support of hospice. The 2012 event will be at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. It begins with a reception at 5:30, with a buffet dinner to follow. Tickets are $30 each.

The keynote address, “Staying up in a world that’s upside down,” will be given by author and motivational speaker Elizabeth Jeffries. Jeffries has inspired thousands of individuals and has worked with businesses across the country to help them achieve success beyond what they had envisioned. From General Electric to the Crystal Cathedral and from the American Hospital Association to the famed Churchill Downs, her clients are leaders in their field. Through her address, Jeffries will inspire guests toward a renewed energy to live life on-purpose, to take control of their lives, and to handle the change around us all.

Also available at the benefit will be Hospice of Hope commemorative ornaments for $10 each.

Get your tickets before January 6, 2012, by contacting Lutheran Home Care at 989.652.4663 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more than a 100 years, Lutheran Homes of Michigan has been providing services to seniors and their caregivers. Grounded in faith and dedicated to helping seniors and their caregivers embrace an aging enriched experience, Lutheran Homes of Michigan champions dignity and self-respect at every stage of senior life. Headquartered in Frankenmuth, Mich., LHM has nearly 1,000 employees across the state. Each year, LHM serves more than 4,000 seniors, clients, caregivers and family members through its continuum of services in the home, as well as in independent, assisted-living and skilled care residences across Michigan. 

FRANKENMUTH, DECEMBER 5, 2011 — Lutheran Homes of Michigan dedicated its new Lutheran Home Care building this morning. The building, located at 100 Mayer Rd., was the former home of Frankenmuth Travel. Purchased in July, the building has undergone significant structural, mechanical and cosmetic changes. Lutheran Homes of Michigan has worked with architect Dan Walter and general contractor Gilmour Construction to oversee the renovation and upgrade of the building. Nuechterlein Electric and Schreiner Mechanical performed electric and mechanical services. Other contractors included Worden’s Interiors for flooring and window treatments, and Facility Matrix for all of the furnishings.

The 8,355-square-foot facility will house all three divisions of Lutheran Home Care, including Home Health Care, Personal Assistance and Hospice of Hope. In addition, it will be home to the Aging Enriched Network, a resource center for seniors and their caregivers. The facility will serve as a home base for nearly 140 employees, including daily office staff, registered nurses, physical therapists, social workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, certified nurse aides, personal assistances and chaplains.

“This is an exciting time for Lutheran Homes of Michigan,” says David M. Gehm, CEO and president of LHM. “We continue to look forward to the ever-changing landscape of caring for an aging population — and will do so with excellent quality care. Our growth is reflective of our commitment to serving seniors and their caregivers.”

Lutheran Home Care has experienced significant growth with a 100-percent growth in Home Health and 150-percent growth in Hospice of Hope services. Lutheran Home Care’s Personal Assistance division has opened additional branches in Alpena, Monroe and Clinton Township in the past 12 months with more to follow. Frankenmuth will continue to serve as the central office as growth continues.

Home care services are the fastest growing segment of the senior services market, with an ever increasing number of seniors wanting to stay in their own homes as long as possible. “The aging of the baby boomers will only increase the demand for these high quality, needed services,” says Lynn Zuellig, chief operating officer of home and community-based services.

The project was financed through Church Extension Fund–The Michigan District LCMS.

For more than a 100 years, Lutheran Homes of Michigan has been providing services to seniors and their caregivers. Grounded in faith and dedicated to helping seniors and their caregivers embrace an aging enriched experience, Lutheran Homes of Michigan champions dignity and self-respect at every stage of senior life. Headquartered in Frankenmuth, Mich., LHM has nearly 1,000 employees across the state. Each year, LHM serves more than 4,000 seniors, clients, caregivers and family members through its continuum of services in the home, as well as in independent, assisted-living and skilled care residences across Michigan.

FRANKENMUTH, MICH., November 11, 2011 – LeadingAge has named Lutheran Homes of Michigan president and CEO David M. Gehm as chair-elect. Beginning in January 2012, Gehm will begin a 6-year commitment with the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit association, first with a 2-year appointment as chair-elect. In 2014, he will take the helm as chair for two years, and will serve as immediate past chair from 2016-18. This is in addition to his role as CEO for Lutheran Homes of Michigan.

Formerly the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, LeadingAge is an association of 5,600 not-for-profit organizations that offers a strong and distinct voice for its members as they strive to expand the world of possibilities for aging. The association advances policies, promotes practices and conducts research that supports, enables and empowers people to live fully as they age. That’s a mission Gehm has been supporting for more than three decades. Gehm joined LHM in 1990 as administrator for Lutheran Home Frankenmuth. He became president and CEO of LHM in 1994.

"I'm honored and humbled to be selected to serve LeadingAge, as well as seniors, caregivers and senior care providers in Michigan and across the nation. LeadingAge and Lutheran Homes of Michigan are actively involved in very important discussions going on at the local, state and national levels that impact seniors and their loved ones. I look forward to those challenges and opportunities," says Gehm.

Lutheran Homes of Michigan was recently identified as one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit, multi-site senior living organizations in the 2011 LeadingAge Ziegler 100 report — and there are presently 5,500 across the United States. Under Gehm’s direction, LHM experienced an aggregate growth of 22 percent in 2010, bringing its total number of units to 845 statewide. Senior housing is only one facet of service offered by LHM. 

With an ever-increasing number of seniors wanting to stay in their own homes as long as possible, home care services are the fastest growing segment of the senior service market. The Lutheran Home Care division, comprised of Home Health, Hospice of Hope and Personal Assistance, has been booming. Home health has grown 100 percent, while LHM’s Hospice of Hope has experienced 150 percent growth. LHM’s Personal Assistance division has opened additional branches in Alpena, Monroe and Clinton Township in the past 12 months, with more to follow.

Through Gehm’s vision and leadership, LHM has also developed a one-stop resource for seniors and their caregivers called the Aging Enriched Network. This network serves as a clearinghouse of information on senior care and the various stages of aging, and places seniors and caregivers in touch with experts who can offer guidance. The network also helps connect seniors and caregivers with in-home services provided by the LHM team and prequalified affiliates, home care, housing options, respite care and hospice resources. 

Gehm, who holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Wayne State University, is a licensed pharmacist and nursing home administrator. He currently serves as the vice chair for the Center for Aging Services Technologies, an international coalition of more than 400 technology companies, aging services organizations, research universities and government representatives committed to expediting the development, evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies to improve the aging experience. Gehm also served as treasurer on the board of directors of LeadingAge from 2007-08. He is former co-chair of LeadingAge's technology and managed care committees, and served on LeadingAge's House of Delegates. Gehm also served as past chair of the board of directors for Aging Services of Michigan (formerly Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging).

For more than a 100 years, Lutheran Homes of Michigan has been providing services to seniors and their caregivers. Grounded in faith and dedicated to helping seniors and their caregivers embrace an aging enriched experience, Lutheran Homes of Michigan champions dignity and self-respect at every stage of senior life. Headquartered in Frankenmuth, Mich., LHM provides a continuum of services in the home, as well as in independent, assisted-living and skilled care residences across Michigan. 

2011 LeadingAge-Ziegler 100 names LHM among largest not-for-profit, multi-site senior living organizations  

The 2011 LeadingAge-Ziegler 100 revealed what Lutheran Homes of Michigan has known all along: Lutheran Homes of Michigan is committed to ensuring senior citizens age enriched, whether it’s at one of LHM’s senior living communities or in their own home.

Lutheran Homes of Michigan debuted at #94 in the 2011 LeadingAge Ziegler 100 report as one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit, multi-site senior living organizations – and there are presently 5,500 across the United States. In the categories of independent living units, assisted living and nursing care beds, LHM debuted at #91, #58 and #59, respectively. 

The growth of Lutheran Homes of Michigan is due, in part, to the vision of CEO David Gehm and its board. It also stems from the strength of the leadership team, and the attention to service provided to all of the LHM residents and their caregivers. 

“As an association representing 5,500 not-for-profit senior-living communities across the country, LeadingAge understands the commitment it takes to expand the world of possibilities for aging. That’s just one reason we were excited to be named in the top 100,” says Dave Gehm, president and CEO of Lutheran Homes of Michigan. 

Overall, LHM experienced an aggregate growth of 22 percent, bringing its total number of units to 845 statewide. Contributing to the growth was the 2010 acquisition of AuSable Valley Community CCRC in Oscoda County.

That’s not the only area in which LHM has experienced significant growth, though. The Lutheran Home Care division, comprised of Home Health, Hospice of Hope and Personal Assistance, has been booming. Home health has grown 100 percent, while LHM’s Hospice of Hope has experienced 150 percent growth. LHM’s Personal Assistance division has opened additional branches in Alpena, Monroe and Clinton Township in the past 12 months, with more to follow.

Home care services are the fastest growing segment of the senior services market, with an ever increasing number of seniors wanting to stay in their own homes as long as possible. “The aging of the baby boomers will only increase the demand for these high quality, needed services,” says Lynn Zuellig, chief operating officer of home and community-based services. 

“As the hands and feet of Christ, our commitment is to serving the elderly and their caregivers with compassion, respect, spiritual support and an unwavering focus on independence, personal dignity and service excellence. This is what continues to fuel our growth,” says Gehm. 

LeadingAge and Ziegler partner each year to survey the nation’s 100 largest not-for-profit senior-living multi-site organizations, government-subsidized housing multi-sites and single campuses. The 2011 report lists the largest not-for-profit, senior-living systems in the United States in order by the total number of market-rate senior-living units they owned as of Dec. 31, 2010.  

For more than a 100 years, Lutheran Homes of Michigan has been providing services to seniors and their caregivers. Grounded in faith and dedicated to helping seniors and their caregivers embrace an aging enriched experience, Lutheran Homes of Michigan champions dignity and self-respect at every stage of senior life. Headquartered in Frankenmuth, Mich., LHM provides a continuum of services in the home, as well as in independent and assisted-living residences across Michigan. 

"Lending a Helping Hand" is the topic that launches our summer issue of Highlights. Inside, you'll find the many varied and unique ways that members of the Lutheran Homes family deliver on that very Biblical instruction. Stories include:

• How residents of our campuses serve others less fortunate
• A special effort at AuSable Valley to assist seniors fleeing a wildfire
• Livonia's 1,000th resident, who was there for short-term rehabilitation work
• A heartfelt thank-you from a Maybee man for his stay in Monroe
• Coverage of special events at The Manors in Saginaw and at the Frankenmuth home
• Personnel awards and changes
• Details on our generous donors

Please click here to view the entire magazine online.