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Gade Health Care… 50
Years of Service
GREENVILLE – “We kept growing and growing… they didn’t want to leave
and I didn’t want to leave them,” Martha Gade said, explaining how Gade
Health Care Center ended up in its current location on Chestnut Street.
“There’s a joy in helping other people,” she added, smiling and
remembering.
It started 50 years ago, when Martha’s husband Robert was hospitalized
to repair a toe injury following a lawn mower accident. His roommate,
Pappy Meehan, was about to be released at the same time but had nowhere
to go.
She took them both home.
It wasn’t long before another family asked if she could accommodate one
more person. Then another. Soon, local physicians and attorneys were
referring patients and clients to Gade’s Nursing Home.
Eventually, there was no space left.
Later, a woman who needed care wanted to be taken care of in her
childhood mansion. The Gades accommodated her, and when the woman
passed away, bought the home. This mansion became their first official
facility.
In 1976, fifteen years after Martha Gade brought her husband and his
roommate home, Gade Nursing Home was built at its current location at
405 Chestnut Street.
The facility has 51 beds and over the years has become a licensed
health care facility.
At 86, Martha Gade is still active in the facility, first with daily
visits but currently as a resident. She is recovering from a broken hip.
Two of her four children have taken over the tradition of care at GHCC.
Tim Gade, Administrator, and Robin Haney, Director of Nursing, are now
responsible for patient care and the business end.
Tim and Robin are both adopted.
“Well, they needed a home,” Martha said. “After they were with us for a
while, we went to court to adopt them. That was unusual back then, but
we didn’t want anyone to take them away after we’d been raising them.”
They stayed in the “family business” while Martha’s oldest daughters –
by about 18 years – moved to other positions. Arlynn is a clinical
counselor in Centerville and Sharon is the manager of Portland Antique
Mall in Portland, Ind.
Tim is proud of GHCC’s record as the longest serving family-owned
business in Darke County, and especially of the ratings residents and
family have given the facility.
In last month’s Ohio Department of Aging Long-Term Care survey, Gade
had a 91.8 percent approval rating from residents, and a 93.7 percent
approval from the resident’s families. These are the highest ratings in
Greenville. The statewide average is 85.9 percent resident and 87.9
percent family.
“We provide more services now than I ever dreamed of in 1961,” Martha
said, noting that quality of care has always been their priority. “The
amenities may change, but the care is the same.”
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