Employee Spotlight: Patricia Conway
Decades of Compassionate Care
Before the sign outside bore the name Baptist Homes of Tri-County, it was Tri-County Care Center— and Patricia Conway had long ago become an essential part of the lives of those who lived within its walls. A lot more than just the name of the facility has changed, but one thing that remains the same is Patricia’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of our community. Patricia, true to her nature, played an invaluable role in making the transition smoother for everyone involved. Her tireless efforts made the process easier for both neighbors and staff.
Patricia has been an integral part of our facility for over three decades, and during that time she has worn many hats. She is a certified nursing assistant as well as a certified medication technician, and is currently serving in the beauty shop helping our neighbors feel and look their best! Patricia’s expertise and compassion shines through in her every action. Whether she’s assisting in the kitchen or providing care on the floor, her willingness to step in wherever needed reflects her deep sense of responsibility toward our neighbors. Her devotion extends past her professional duties, she goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being and comfort of those under her care.
Outside of work, Patricia finds joy in spending time with family, crocheting, and watching basketball. Thanksgiving holds a special place in her heart, as it’s a time to reflect on the many blessings in her life.
Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries is truly blessed to have Patricia as part of our team. Her remarkable dedication and compassion deeply enriches the lives of our neighbors and our community.
BHHM Agency Free
Agency Free! A Cause for Celebration
Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries is celebrating being agency free for the first time since 2019. This achievement ensures residents and neighbors are cared for by Baptist Homes employees, not contract workers.
Since 2020, Baptist Homes spent over $3 million on agency, or “temp worker” staffing. Unlike most industries, healthcare staffing is regulated by state and federal standards. Maintaining staffing standards necessitated agency at most Baptist Homes campuses. During the June 2023 leadership meeting, directors from every department and campus identified agency as the number one threat to Baptist Homes. As a result, “Elimination of Agency and Retention of Quality Staff” became the priority strategic initiative for 2024.
While agency staff hold appropriate credentials, they are not vetted on the basis of our guiding principles as a Christian ministry. Additionally, agency staff cost far more than trustworthy employees. Addressing this priority initiative was a collaborative effort by administrators, nurses, HR directors and home office leadership.
On March 15, 2024, Baptist Homes became one of a handful of senior care providers that are “Agency Free!” In addition, Baptist Homes has enjoyed a 50% reduction in turnover in the past year, and now enjoys a nursing turnover that is half the national average.
In March 2024 Baptist Homes corporate and regional offices were honored with the Best Christian Workplace certification for 2024. Our prayer is for each campus to achieve certification as a Best Christian Workplace. The collaborative effort to become Agency Free is a great launching point towards this goal.
Capital Campaign Update: April 2024
April 2024 Update
We all know it’s coming: the Silver Tsunami. America is aging at an unheard-of pace. At the same time, dozens of nursing facilities across Missouri are closing, unable to recover from staffing shortages and COVID-19 restructuring. Families desperately need high-quality options where their loved ones can thrive and grow stronger instead of fading away.
Join us as we forge a new era of compassionate care across Missouri. Please pray about how you can participate in our building campaign. We believe God is raising up a team of people to give, serve, and pray with us as we widen our reach, and we’re hoping you’ll be one of them.
The Welcome Home campaign ensures that every resident has a home-like, functional, and welcoming place to live as we expand our ability to care for more individuals in need. We’ve seen God do amazing things through Baptist Homes throughout our first century of ministry, and we’re equipping our ministry to advance and improve for years to come.
From independent living to skilled nursing care, we promote the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our elderly and veterans, offering holistic care for each individual’s specific needs. Guided by compassion and a biblical worldview, we want to see our residents thrive as they walk forward in God’s purposes and plan.
As Missouri Baptists, we believe in the sanctity of life at every stage. The image of God is engraved in our very fingerprints and DNA; it doesn’t fade with time. At Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries, our mission is to help the church honor the elderly as Scripture commands.
Through the Welcome Home campaign, we’re seeking to raise $18 million because the task ahead of us is great. The Welcome Home campaign will provide resources to build, renew, and restore each of our campuses across the state of Missouri. Veterans who need a loving environment to heal from trauma and to be welcomed home will have a special environment in which to live at our Smithville campus. Pastors who gave everything to ministry and need affordable housing and spiritual shepherding of their own will find a beautiful place to live at our Arcadia Valley campus. Our Chillicothe campus will transition to a senior living campus providing independent living and assisted living suites. Our Ozark campus will be offering skilled nursing in small cottages to best serve those who have memory issues. The Ashland campus will be completed with an assisted living and skilled nursing campus. Our newest campuses at Adrian, Independence and Vandalia will all be completely remodeled and updated.
We see these challenges not as a source of dread, but as a new horizon dawning. Just as God designed Joseph and Esther’s life stories to equip them to bless and rescue others, He has given Baptist Homes 111 years of experience to prepare us for the crisis in elder care. Like Joseph storing up grain in the years before famine, the moment to act is now—before thousands of seniors have nowhere to go.
Giving Your Estate Plans a Check-Up
Giving Your Estate Plans a Check-Up
A priority of all Americans is to prepare and file tax returns each year. Once tax returns are filed the next best goal to set and accomplish is to make or review your estate plans. With the most complete and current picture of one’s financial affairs in mind, now is a good time to give yourself the “peace of mind” by having a plan that cares for family and the ministries and/or charities that are loved and respected. This is also good accountability as a follower of Jesus to review and strengthen personal Christian stewardship.
If you have completed estate plans, when was the last time those plans were reviewed? Of those that complete a will or trust, very few keep them up-to-date. A person’s estate plan is a living document that needs attention on a regular basis after it is completed. Life circumstances change over time and your estate plans should reflect those changes. Here are some key issues to consider in keeping a person’s estate plans relevant and current.
1) People. Relationships with people named in a will or trust may have changed. New people enter lives through births, adoptions and marriages. Others included in an estate plan may not be active in one’s life due to death or divorce. Given enough time, the children that were set out to be cared for with your original estate plans may have grown into adulthood and your estate plans need adjusting to reflect this change. Has anything changed in the lives of the heirs named in your will due to death, mental incapacities, a handicap or serious injury, health concerns or change in relationships? Other important people to consider for the same concerns are those you name to serve as fiduciaries to carry out your estate plans such as personal representative of your will, guardian of minors, trustee, or powers of attorney for business and health care.
2) Assets. Since the execution of your will or trust has your estate experienced an increase or decrease in value? Has there been a significant change in income or wealth of the person making the will/trust or a beneficiary? Has there been a positive or negative change in business ventures? Have you added or dropped life insurance since your last review?
3) Places. Have you have moved out of the state in which you executed your will? State laws regarding the execution of wills vary. Consulting an attorney in your new location can help to determine whether your estate plans are still valid.
4) Laws. Tax laws are constantly changing both on the state and federal levels. Does your plan take full advantage of current laws? Consult an attorney or estate planning professional to know if your plans are in order with federal and state laws.
5) Beneficiary Designations. Life event changes such as marriages, divorces, and births and adoptions, may require changes to beneficiary designations. Failing to update these designations can lead to assets passing to people that may no longer be considered family or excluding new family members. Regular reviewal and updating of beneficiary designations ensures that your assets are distributed according to your current intentions.
6) Time. If you haven’t reviewed your will in the last three years, it is time for a review. A wise plan is to make this an annual practice. Doing it after you have filed your taxes gives you the most complete and current picture of your financial affairs. The best course of action in doing this is to return to your original will, review it and make certain that it fits your current life situation and any changing needs.
Don’t forget that people reaching age 72 years are required by law to begin taking required minimum distributions from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA), 401(k), or another qualified plan.
Estate plans like a will or trust are valuable tools to make a smooth transfer of assets to heirs and ministries upon death. A person’s estate plans should be reviewed and given regular checkups throughout life and certainly when any major changes have taken place.
Keep in mind that your estate plans will be the most important legal document that you will ever sign. Think of it as a way to protect your most precious assets – personal and financial. Also consider this as a commitment to honor the Lord as a faithful Christian steward.
If help is needed in planning, making, and reviewing estate plans a representative from Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries (BHHM) is available. If you need to review your will, contact the attorney that helped you draft it. If this attorney is no longer practicing law or has died you will need to find a new one. BHHM can be of assistance in connecting you with an attorney. For more information or questions, please contact Ron Mackey (rdmackey@bhhm.org) or Nick Davis (ndavis@bhhm.org).
Nuturing Body, Soul, and Spirit
At Baptist Homes, our residents receive a comprehensive approach to healthcare that goes beyond physical health to encompass the well-being of body, soul, and spirit. At the heart of this approach lies the philosophy of holistic soul care that recognizes the interconnectedness of these three facets of human existence.
The body requires attentive care to maintain vitality and comfort. We prioritize physical health through personalized healthcare plans, nutritious meals, and specialized therapies tailored to individual needs. Focusing on everything our residents see, hear, smell, taste, and touch with Christlike compassion and expertise is part of ministering to the body.
However, true wellness goes beyond the physical realm. Caring for the soul acknowledges the inner life of everyone and focuses on the mind, will, and emotions. At Baptist Homes, we nurture emotional, psychological, and social health as residents find opportunities for meaningful connections and creative expression. Through private or group activities or pastoral care, the soul finds solace and enrichment in a supportive community environment.
Yet, the essence of soul care extends even further, encompassing the realm of spirit. As transcendent beings, we seek connection with God, our creator. Baptist Homes honor this dimension through worship services, Bible studies, spiritual practices, and spaces for reflection and prayer. Residents explore questions of meaning and purpose, finding comfort and inspiration in their spiritual journey.
In embracing holistic soul care, Baptist Homes is a sanctuary of healing and transformation. By attending to the full spectrum of human experience, our communities uphold the dignity and worth of every individual, fostering holistic well-being in its truest sense.
Neighbor Spotlight: Lorena Mayhugh
The Power of Faith, Love, & Service
Born on May 1, 1921, in Denver, MO, Lorena Mayhugh’s roots run deep in the heart of the Midwest. Raised on a farm in Worth County, Lorena’s upbringing was filled with the values of hard work and faith. She learned the ropes of farming and animal care while tending to sheep and chickens alongside her parents. Her responsibility to care for the frailest chickens on the farm instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and determination.
Lorena graduated from William Jewel College with a bachelor’s degree in education. After college, she met Reverend Carl Terwilliger and they were married in July of 1943. Together, they embarked on a mission out west, where they devoted themselves to serving others. They settled in California where Lorena taught elementary school. After twenty years of marriage, the couple welcomed their first and only child, Carl Jr. Sadly, just six short years later in 1969, Carl Sr. passed away. Although the loss of Carl left a void in her heart, Lorena found love again with George Mayhugh—an active marine who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. George and Lorena married in 1971, and George adopted Carl Jr. After retirement, Lorena and George went back to college to become electricians. They traveled all over to volunteer at Baptist camps and churches doing electrical work and other things that were needed. The Lord called George home in 1997, leaving Lorena heartbroken and wondering what God wanted her to do next.
Lorena’s career path was marked by her commitment to education and service. As a teacher and missionary, she touched countless lives. She imparted wisdom and kindness wherever she went. At 81 years old her missionary work led her to Thailand.
With her faith leading the way Lorena let it be known, “God sent me to Thailand and when He is through with me there, He will let me know.” After sixteen years, Lorena knew it was time to return home. Her eyesight was growing worse from macular degeneration, and she had undergone multiple cataract surgeries, and a hip replacement. She stayed with her son and daughter-in-law for a short time but insisted on moving back to Missouri to live at Baptist Homes of Arcadia Valley.
At almost 103 years old, Lorena’s resilience and vitality continue to inspire all who know her. As she reflects on her remarkable journey, Lorena’s advice rings true, “Always prioritize God’s will above all else, let the Holy Spirit guide your actions, and give glory to the Lord in all you do.”
Lorena’s life is a testament to the power of faith, love, and service: a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
Why a Voice for the Aging?
Over a century ago a young pastor and his wife, just starting their ministry career in a new church setting in rural southeast Missouri set about on a journey to serve aging humanity. Why? Because they were trained in gerontology or social work. No. Maybe it was a family legacy of serving older adults. Not that we can glean from their stories. Perhaps it was a financial plan to add to their modest ministry income. Not at all! They wanted to serve the poorest of the poor, literally, the least of these.
What Dr. Milford & Mary Riggs soon learned was, that not only were very few caring for the elderly, but there was also very little known and understood about the aging process and even less understanding of a Biblical model of aging.
For over a century Baptist Homes has been serving aging humanity physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We currently do this on 8 campuses around the state of Missouri. We also do this by advocating and educating relative to aging issues.
A Voice for the Aging Newsletter is a new effort to address the oft-misunderstood and complicated journey of aging. We believe a voice is needed to explain the process of aging, the need to prepare for aging, and to defend the cause of aging.
Through this electronic medium, we will advocate and educate. We will communicate our understanding, informed by over a century of experience. We will connect with leaders in the area of aging and share their insights with you. And, most importantly we will seek to do all this from thoroughly Biblical foundation.
Each month you will receive this email with helpful insights and materials designed to inform you from a thoughtful professional focus. So, grab a cup of coffee, a pen and paper, or your favorite tablet, and let’s begin!
Episode 36: “Introducing the ‘Welcome Home’ Capital Campaign,” with Dr. Ron Mackey
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:01 — 71.4MB)
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In this week’s episode of Biblical Perspectives on Aging, Dr. Ron Mackey joins the podcast again talking about our “Welcome Home” campaign. He’s going to talk about why that name was chosen and what that means for Baptist Homes.
Episode 35: “A Message About Giving” Dr. Michael McMullen, BHHM Board Chair
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In this month’s episode of Biblical Perspectives on Aging, we have a speech from Dr. Michael McMullen, who is the Chairman of the Board of Baptist Homes and Healthcare Ministries. This speech took place at our recent Christmas dinner, which is an annual event, where the trustees come to the Baptist Building in Jefferson City to have a dinner the night before the end-of-year board meeting.
Episode 34: “AV Deer Hunt on the ‘Living the Dream Outdoors’ Podcast with Bill Cooper”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:19 — 79.3MB)
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This month’s episode of Biblical Perspectives on Aging is rather different. Listen in as two of our staff, Dr. Rodney Harrison and Spencer Hutson are interviewed by Bill Cooper, podcast host of Living the Dream Outdoors.
Episode 33: “A Personal Reflection from BHHM’s Past”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:49 — 67.4MB)
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In this month’s episode of Biblical Perspectives on Aging, we have a real treat. Oftentimes, we’ve done interviews in the past. But today, even though it’s an interview, it is actually more of a conversation, but not just with anybody, with someone who was there nearer to the beginning. Listen in as Dr. Rodney Harrison, President/CEO, speaks with Jeanette (Burney) Ashley, daughter of John Burney, the third Superintendent of The Baptist Home.
Episode 32: “BHHM August Board Meeting, Nurses Panel”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:01 — 34.8MB)
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In this month’s episode, you’re going to hear from our Directors of Nursing (DONs) from three of our facilities of Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries
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