History of Meadowlark Hills
As much as the city of Manhattan had grown since its founding, a group of citizens noticed in 1974 that the opposite seemed to be happening. The city’s retired population was growing smaller and smaller, due to a lack of living options. In an effort to help keep Manhattan’s community thriving and to give older adults more choice in the matter of where they live during retirement, these citizens partnered with six local churches to create Meadowlark Hills. Built on the concepts of continuum care, respect and compassion, Meadowlark Hills opened in 1980.
Since then, board members and administrators have worked to offer the latest advancements in nursing care, assisted living, and independent living in order to meet the needs of its community. With additions such as two special care units for residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, an adult day care program, a home health agency and a fitness center, residents and their families have more options than ever before.
In 2000, president and CEO Steve Shields brought in a team of architects to redesign the institutional nursing home, establishing the health care household model. This change has effectively created more ways to increase the quality of life for dependent adults and added enhancements for those who live independently. These state-of-the-art living spaces serve as a new model for retirement facilities across the globe, improving the lives of retirees everywhere.
In 2006 we began construction of a new road, Meadowlark Valley, in 2007, two new state of the art Healthcare Households, and in 2008 a physician office, and expanded community center to include a cinema, pub, restaurant and salon were added.
In 2009 we will upgrade our special care households, add a post acute recovery center and a center of well being, with fitness and therapy. Today we are not only serving our own residents, but we are helping others around the world to change the culture of long-term care.
Mission | Values |
History of
Manhattan
Nestled in the rolling Flint Hills, the town of Manhattan, Kan., was destined for success from the day it was incorporated in the year 1855. Settled by pioneers as a free-state town, Manhattan enjoyed more security than many pioneer towns due to its close proximity to Fort Riley.
Helped along by the fortuitous stranding of a steamboat in the nearby Kansas River, the town began to grow. Because Manhattan was the last major settlement on the trail leading west, the Colorado Gold Rush brought in trade and commerce, further bolstering the town’s population. With growth came the need for education, and in 1863, Kansas State Agricultural College, now known as Kansas State University ,was formed. When the Pacific Railroad laid its tracks through the town in 1866, it was official: Manhattan was here to stay!
Today, the city has grown to a population of more than 50,000, making it the eighth largest city in the state and a boon to Kansans looking for food, culture and entertainment. It’s also a perfect setting for retirees, where small town meets big city, offering a wealth of activities and opportunities for older adults and their families. |
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