During the mid-1950’s members of Spokane’s Central United Methodist Church began planning for a retirement home. In 1958 Spokane Methodist Homes, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit corporation. In a subsequent action years later, the corporation became known as Spokane United Methodist Homes and has done business as Rockwood Retirement Communities since 1989.

Rockwood Manor opened in 1960 providing independent apartment living and offering skilled nursing care in a 29-bed facility. As residents aged and the resident census grew, in 1970, and again in 1988, renovation of the skilled nursing facility increased bed capacity. In 1987 construction commenced on the private residences in Rockwood Forest Estates which, upon completion during the next several years, grew to a total of 133 homes and a community center. In November 1999 a major construction project began on the Rockwood Manor site to replace the existing health facility with a new 36-bed skilled nursing center, and to add a new wellness center and specialized dementia-care assisted living apartments. Also, the second floor of Rockwood Manor was converted into residential assisted living.  Construction was completed in March 2001.

Also in 1999, Spokane United Methodist Homes acquired Hawthorne Retirement Community in north Spokane, which included independent apartment living, skilled nursing and townhouses. To better identify these two retirement communities, the Board of Trustees designated Rockwood Retirement Communities as the operating business name for the corporation, with the individual communities known as Rockwood South and Rockwood at Hawthorne.

Spokane United Methodist Homes, doing business as Rockwood Retirement Communities, is a non-profit, charitable corporation dedicated to providing services and housing to older adults with a commitment to excellence in promoting independence, wellness and lifelong vitality. The Rockwood philosophy celebrates and supports independence, wellness, autonomy and security. It’s a healthy lifestyle that cares for the whole person – emotionally, physically and spiritually. In 2003 Rockwood South received the WAHSA Excellence in Practice Award for their Wellness Program. At the Rockwood Forest Estates residents enjoy custom-built homes in a residential, gated neighborhood. They have complete health care, including skilled nursing, and have several dining options, including dining at home, in the Manor’s dining room, or having meals delivered by the Gourmet Chef on Wheels.  For those preferring apartment living they offer studios and up to 2-bedrooms customized to suit residents’ needs and taste. There are flexible meal plans, regular housekeeping, and gardening assistance, both indoor and outdoor. When extra help is needed, the Assisted Living Program allows residents to remain in their apartments and receive daily help with challenges such as dressing, taking medications, bathing and other activities. Rockwood Courtyard for Specialized Care is for persons with advanced memory loss. The Health and Wellness Program offers a complete array of services, including restorative therapy, and a number of free days in the Health Center. Through the community college, the Intercollegic School of Nursing students work a rotation at Rockwood South, as well as Rockwood Hawthorne.

There are a variety of activities available for residents including films, music programs, lectures, talent shows, outings and dances. The Community Center has a 20x40 lap pool, Jacuzzi and exercise room. There is an on-staff Chaplain and regular worship services, a beauty/barber shop, a recreation center with shuffleboard and billiards, a convenience store and indoor sidewalk café, an art studio, a woodworking shop, and a computer learning center with Internet and classes. Rockwood has a 28-passenger bus and two vans to transport residents to local activities and areas of interest.

As part of their community focus, Rockwood South is a donor for the Goodwill Industries Auction, an active participant in Christmas Tree giving gifts and other chosen organizations and charities. In 1997 Rockwood provided seed money to Carlyle Personal Care Center, for a major renovation project.

Rockwood South has a Residents’ Foundation that allows residents to assist fellow residents and enhance their communities through contributions and planned giving. The Staff Development Fund, established with seed money from the resident-operated Corner Store, is used to assist staff members in furthering their educational goals. The Exercise Fitness Endowment Fund was established to create a corpus that will generate earnings and interest to help pay the cost of the fitness programs and continue to avoid direct charge to the residents.

Rockwood South is accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the EAGLE program (Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading towards Excellence) of the United Methodist Association.

When asked what it means to be a nonprofit organization, Alan Curryer, CEO, said, “Being non profit means that as an organization we are committed first and foremost to fulfilling our mission and serving our residents. Though we definitely still need to turn a profit over the long run, our non profit status often allows us the opportunity to make decisions from the heart rather than strictly from the pocketbook.”

Rockwood South 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, Alan Curryer stated, “As a member of WAHSA, Rockwood Retirement Communities benefits in many different ways. Being a member provides invaluable opportunities to collaborate and to develop relationships with other providers across the state. It also provides us with an effective vehicle to stay abreast of and to have a voice in public policy. The many different member services such as the group retro program provide other important benefits.”