LUTHER MANOR

1999 advertisement. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

LUTHER MANOR. An outgrowth of the MARTIN LUTHER HOME FOR THE AGED which was sold in 1968, Luther Manor was opened for occupancy in June 1969. Located at 3131 Hillcrest Road, in Dubuque, IA, it was Luther Manor's first long-term care, skilled care, and memory care community. Built at a cost of nearly $1 million, the residence, with a capacity of seventy persons, was built with contributions from HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, SAINT PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, St. Mark Lutheran Church, SAINT MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCH, ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, and ST. PETER'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. When constructed, the nonprofit manor owned 4.69 acres that provided room for expansion. It opened with 103 dually certified beds for Medicare and Medicaid. An additional 16 beds comprise the Secure Memory Care Unit. Attached to the Hillcrest Campus were the Catered Living Apartments providing independent living with added benefits, such as a meal plan, activities, transportation and access to a Hillcrest onsite nurse. Storage, garages and a beautiful courtyard area for enjoying nature were included.

In 1984 Luther Manor was expanded to accommodate an additional sixteen residents. The same year Luther Manor Retirement Apartments were constructed on the five-acre campus adding thirty-three units for independent living. (1) The nursing home and apartments were operated in 1988 as a non-profit church organization sponsored by the founding churches and OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH. (2)

In 1996 the Tri-State area’s first Alzheimer and Dementia community – Sunshine Valley Suites – was opened by Luther Manor Communities. It was licensed by the state of Iowa and located on the Hillcrest Campus in Dubuque. Twelve private and two semi-private suites made up this household which offered:

   * A quiet, controlled environment ensuring a low stimulus setting for residents.
   
   * Uniquely designed rooms providing extra space for residents to walk without getting disoriented.
   
   * Individual memory boxes outside each suite to showcase family treasures providing Reminiscence Therapy.
   
   * Weekly worship services.
   
   * Activities designed to encourage resident participation.
   
   * Meals served in an open accessible area. (3)

The Grand Meadows Campus in Asbury featured five well-appointed households -- each with 16 individual suites -- providing Assisted Living, Dementia Specific Assisted Living, Skilled Care, and Long Term Care. Each household has an outdoor courtyard with private sitting areas and raised garden beds. The independent living townhomes - The Residences -- were maintenance free and were located upon 25 picturesque acres of land with a wildlife pond and walking trails.

As a member within any of the care continuums had access to faith-based healthcare, caring nurses and staff. Also available are two physical therapy centers, indoor and outdoor pools, abundant social activities and community programs.

In 2023 the non-profit agency which provided care for older adults including independent living, skilled nursing, assisted living and long-term and memory care, failed to pay back $15.7 million in loans and was placed in receivership. Kansas-city attorney Michael Flanagan was appointed the receiver of the Luther Manor Communities at 3131 Hillcrest Road in Dubuque and 5300 Grand Meadow Drive in Asbury. (4)

In August two potential buyers had been identified--one for each of the individual properties. The combined offer for both units was $29.8 million. (4) The approval of District Court Judge Thomas Bitter cleared the way for the sale. Tutera Senior Living and Health Care offered $21.3 million dollars for the Asbury campus and included skilled nursing and assisted living. Of that amoun, $13.8 would go to the assumption of all obligations to current occupancy agreements and fees on the townhouses. The Hillcrest campus received an offer of $8.5 million for the newly formed 3131 Hillcrest Propco LLC for the facility that included 103 skilled nursing beds and 32 independent living units. (5)

The 1972 through 2024 Dubuque City Directory listed 3131 Hillcrest for the facility in Dubuque.

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Source:

1. "Dubuque, On the Road Again," Telegraph-Herald Special Section, June 26, 1983, p. 27

2. "Memory Care," Online: https://luthermanor.com/memory-care

3. Kelsey, Elizabeth, "Luther Manor Placed into Receivership," Telegraph Herald, August 29, 2023, p. 1A

4. Nieland, Grace, "Potential Purchasers Step Forward for Luther Manor Properties," THonline: https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_50af3ebc-4ac4-11ef-aef3-bb6d546a96e8.html

5. Nieland, Grace, "Proposed Sale of 2 Local Senior Living Campuses Takes Next Step," Telegraph Herald, August 20, 2024, p. 2A