Who You’re Helping

ABHM Offers Residents Solution to Hearing Loss
Enhancing residents' quality of life is one of the highest priorities for American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM). When residents suffer loss of hearing, enjoying conversations with friends, family, church services, entertainment and other activities becomes difficult. As a result, seniors often withdraw from life-enrichment programs and become disengaged.
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Spiritual Care Grows at ABHM Communities
In 2011 ABHM set a goal to expand and enhance spiritual care by ensuring all communities offered residents and families a comprehensive Spiritual Services program lead by a community chaplain.
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New ABHM Memory Care Meets Growing Demand
If you or a loved one lives with memory care issues, you understand how important it is to have access to quality memory care services. As part of our tradition of service to seniors, ABHM has developed comprehensive memory care programs to help those facing dementia and Alzheimer’s live to their greatest potential.
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Memory Care Demand Grows at ABHM
Seniors are living longer and more independently than ever before. However, with longer life comes an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
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Residents Engage in Trail Ridge Construction
From the first shovel in the ground, Bob and Marva Parsons have had a bird's eye view of the redevelopment process at Trail Ridge Senior Living in Sioux Falls, S.D.
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Resident Finds Encouragement To Become Truly Happy
Andrew "Andy" Oros moved to Franklin Park with his wife, Linda, more than five years ago. In that time, we have had the pleasure of seeing Andy grow and become a mentor to his fellow residents.
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Maybe I'll Go to Paris Someday
Since opening its doors in 1964 as a 90-bed skilled nursing facility, Mountain Vista Retirement Community has grown into a continuum-of-care campus. Mountain Vista now has 163 beds in our Health Center in addition to independent living, assisted living and skilled memory care ready to serve seniors as their health needs change.
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Thank You for Helping My Brother Mike
I have found peace of mind in Crest Services because I know they have Mike's best interest at heart. I especially appreciate the close bond that Mike has been able to build with the staff assigned to his home—something that occurs when a company takes the time to recruit, train and motivate staff members who care.
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Surviving Life's Storms: Ray's Rough Road to Success
Ray Seney, 44, has hurtled some major challenges in his life to reach the level of success he has attained today. Born and raised in a rough suburb of New York, Ray moved to Vinton, Iowa, to be closer to his sister after the death of his mother in fall 2008.
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Melissa's Journey to Independence
Melissa Jean was born with spina bifida. When she came to live at Crest Services in February 2009 at 21 years old, she was using a manual wheelchair and was at high risk for developing skin sores from her inability to move. She had limited ability to wheel herself from point A to point B, as she tired easily.
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They'll Carry Thanksgiving in Their Hearts
She was a 98-year-old longtime resident when she grabbed my hand and hugged me. "Thank you," she said, "for allowing me to continue living in my independent living apartment and with all of the friends I have made here…and that little stipend you give me each month is really appreciated."
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The Scotts Leave a Gift That Keeps Giving
Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, recently became the benefactor of a tremendous gift. The estate of June Scott, wife of the late Paul Scott, recently contributed more than $676,000 to five entities in the western Iowa county of Shelby, including more than $135,000 to Elm Crest.
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The Comeback Kid: Risen and Moving
In this season of Easter, there is something extra powerful about the story of Laura. A resident of one of our communities, Laura was unable to stand from a seated position on her own before joining an ABHM wellness program a year ago. Today, she is the perfect example of the extraordinary outcomes we are seeing every day as a result of our programs.
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A Place to Turn When Retirement Came as a Surprise
"I loved every minute of my life working in the office, but I knew I could no longer go on that way, and this is a great way to retire. It's a very simple life, but it's something I enjoy."
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Simplifying Life at Tudor Oaks Leads to Healthy Outlook
More than just springtime has sprung up at Tudor Oaks retirement community. A renovation project took root in January that includes plans for expanded and upgraded apartments, new public areas with a swimming pools and whirlpool, and even a future nine-hole, par-3 executive golf course.
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Who Says You Can't Go Back Home Again?
Only the most determined of people were out and about in Denver on March 24, 2010. Count Don Koperski as one of them.
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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to American Baptist Homes of the Midwest a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

The official bequest language for American Baptist Homes of Midwest to share with your attorney is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to American Baptist Homes of Midwest [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to ABHM or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to ABHM as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to ABHM as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and ABHM where you agree to make a gift to ABHM and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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