Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is a non-profit organization with a history going back to 1896 and roots in the Brethren in Christ Church, serving older adults throughout South Central PA with a big network of services and living communities. The main campus sits at 100 Mt. Allen Drive, and the organization has many care options, including independent living in apartments, cottages, and townhomes, assisted living with 107 units offering private rooms, memory care with a secured unit, skilled nursing, respite stays, adult day services, at-home care, and wellness programs, so people can choose whatever level of support fits their needs best. They try to encourage residents to live with purpose, faith, and energy, offering lifelong learning through something called the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning®, plus enrichment activities, field trips, fitness, and support for emotional and physical well-being. The facility includes things like a swimming pool, a salon, Cerise Day Spa, dining services, a church named Messiah Village Church, community spaces for events, and social activities with audio-visual equipment and volunteers to help out. The Mechanicsburg Place and West Shore Senior Center support seniors in the broader area, and the U-GRO Messiah Lifeways program gives early childhood education for kids ages 6 weeks to 6 years, with drop-in care and summer camps.
There's a health ministry, spiritual activities like Vacation Bible School, Adventurers Club, and Pathfinder Club, and ties with the Harrisburg Adventist School for religious education, along with regular events and a focus on both mental and spiritual growth. The campus has scheduled transportation, laundry services, self-service laundry, home maintenance, and small pets allowed, so people who live there can enjoy as much independence as possible. They also have adult day programs, short-term care for family caregivers, a memory care unit for people with dementia, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation right on site, and staff include a President & CEO, a VP of Marketing & Sales, and a professional fundraiser. Messiah Lifeways has about 501 to 1,000 employees, and the staff aim to make everyone feel welcome and safe, with 24-hour assistance always available.
People can choose from various housing options, including Bailey Street Apartments and Fernecrest, and there's support like the Mechanicsburg Village Nursing and Enhanced Living Welcome Center, apartment and cottage living welcome centers, and a network of services for those aged 55 and better. The organization works with the Alzheimer's Association, the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, the Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging, and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. They hold classes, support groups, and events, plus maintain a campus alert system for safety. Messiah Lifeways has a clear mission to help every older adult live life to the fullest, focusing on faith, personal growth, and comfort, as they support a community that welcomes new faces and offers multiple ways to stay active and engaged.
