Under the leadership of Chapter C of PEO (an International Women’s Charitable Society), Articles of Incorporation were written to form a company, known as “The Old People’s Home of Tacoma” in 1922. They rented a 22-room home in 1923(the old Danaher home) and the need for a larger home was soon apparent. Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones donated a four-acre building site and the funds for construction. The cornerstone of the Franke Tobey Jones Building was laid in 1924. The Franke Tobey Jones Home opened in 1925 with accommodations for 65 residents. In 1962 ground was broken for the Lillian Pratt Hall, increasing living accommodations and adding a skilled nursing facility. In 1992 sixteen individual retirement homes (duplexes) were built and in 1997 the City of Tacoma chose Franke Tobey Jones to operate the neighboring Point Defiance/Ruston Senior Center. Six more duplexes were completed in 2001, and in 2003 ground was broken to construct a Wellness Center, a 39-unit condo-style apartment complex, and a renovation and expansion to both the Health Care Center and the Alzheimer’s/dementia unit. Construction was completed the summer of 2004.

Within Franke Tobey Jones’ campus lies a full range of living options structured to provide the precise amount of help needed for each resident. They can feel secure knowing they are living in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), where all their needs are met. The condo-style Independent Garden Apartments supply complete independence, offering 39 studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. Many of the independent seniors are drawn to the 2-bedroom duplexes, each with an over-sized garage, full kitchen, deck and more. The Franke Tobey Jones building also features independent living where residents are treated to three meals daily in a private dining room and receive weekly housekeeping. Assisted living is provided in the Lillian Pratt building. The appropriate level of care needed is offered to assist in maintaining the dignity of their residents. They also have a program that offers the added flexibility of the residents seeing their own physician on site. If they enroll as a patient with The Home Doctor, their doctor will visit them in Franke Tobey Jones’ clinic on campus. The physician will follow the resident through all levels of the continuum of care.  The Health Care Center is a “private pay,” Washington State Licensed Skilled Nursing Unit with 40 beds and a 24-hour staff of RNs, LPNs and Certified Aides. For residents with early stages of Alzheimer’s/dementia, Our Place is available under the direction of a licensed nurse, activities professionals and nursing assistants. The day is structured to maximize the quality of life for these residents. Individuals from the community may also attend this program on an hourly day-care basis.

Residents dine to freshly prepared meals, with tableside service in elegant dining rooms. Linens and table decorations add to the inviting ambiance, and diners may order from a varied menu. Three times a month chefs prepare a special dinner tableside and a Sunday Brunch is offered twice a year.

The mission of Franke Tobey Jones is to enrich and extend the quality of life for seniors in their community. Since 1998 Franke Tobey Jones has operated the Pt. Defiance/Ruston Senior Center, which offers a meal-site nutrition program, blood pressure monitoring, activities, AARP tax services, driver safety program, and many more services. In September of 2001 Franke Tobey Jones joined with Pierce County Aging and Long Term Care, and the Tacoma Housing Authority, to create the Household Helper Program. Shortly after starting, Franke Tobey Jones was asked to take complete control of the program, which provides general housekeeping, laundry and essential transportation to community seniors so they can maintain their independence while helping offset physical and mental decline. Franke Tobey Jones has many volunteer opportunities and has partnered with local schools to offer internship opportunities for students

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There are many amenities available at Franke Tobey Jones. One of the most popular services is the Wellness Program. In April of 2004 the new MJ Wicks Family Wellness Center opened with an indoor walking track, low impact exercise equipment, classes and more. There are large resident gardens that are raised to help eliminate the need for kneeling and bending. A new greenhouse enables residents to garden year-round out of the elements.

Franke Tobey Jones has a myriad of community events, some offering intergenerational opportunities, and some simply sharing with the community. The annual Spring Tea and Tours commemorates the birthday of Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones. They have a community Easter Egg Hunt, where family members and local children participate in an Easter egg hunt and join in a number of fun games. An annual summer picnic is a favorite event of children who love the varied themes every year. Crowds as large as 600 gather in a natural amphitheatre to listen to wonderful productions by local performers during the summer community concerts. In the fall the annual Pumpkin Patch offers young family members and community youth a chance to choose and decorate their own pumpkin, often with the help of some residents. December is full of holiday parties. The children’s holiday party is fun for residents’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the children of staff members. Franke Tobey Jones also hosts a yearly fundraiser where community members can have their antiques appraised for a nominal fee.

Franke Tobey Jones has monthly residents’ council meetings to help promote the welfare and well-being of residents. They have a variety of committees, including the library, sunshine, food advisory and employee Christmas Bonus committees. Short-term committees are convened for special projects, such as decorating the guest rooms.

Franke Tobey Jones is currently all private-pay governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of 15 active community leaders. Franke Tobey Jones has established an Investment Fund, through donations and grants, to use for the various community projects and programs. None of the resident fees go into this fund. Instead, each year $250,000 from the Investment Fund is used to help residents needing financial assistance, enabling them to continue living at Franke Tobey Jones and not have to look to the State for any aid. Franke Tobey Jones is currently looking into a planned giving program to continue building the Investment Fund.

When asked what it means to be a nonprofit organization, CEO, Edward Mawe said, “Being part of a mission-driven organization, instead of a bottom-line organization, there is more independence to do things for your residents as the monies go right back into the organization.”

Franke Tobey Jones is a member of WAHSA, a state association serving primarily not-for-profit organizations, dedicated to providing quality housing, health, community and related services to older persons. WAHSA is affiliated with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). When asked what it means to be a WAHSA member, Edward Mawe, CEO of Franke Tobey Jones stated, “ The educational offerings, advocacy and collegial fellowship have been wonderful. The members were quick to make me feel welcomed; opportunities to serve the association were available and encouraged. I have found great value working with colleagues of such high integrity.”