West Virginia Masonic Home

West Virginia Masonic Home used to sit at 3826 Murdoch Avenue in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and folks who drove by would see a big historic building that went back to 1921-22, and it used to be a home for orphans before they turned it into a retirement facility, and for years it served seniors across several counties, mainly people from the Masonic Lodge and their spouses, and you'd find independent living there, assisted living, nursing care, hospice, and memory care for people with Alzheimer's or dementia, and the staff focused on helping residents with daily needs like bathing, dressing, and moving around, so people could keep some independence without full-time nursing. The home had personalized care plans, which meant staff would look after each resident's unique needs, and services included nutritious meals cooked by kitchen staff, help with medicine, and programs for social and spiritual well-being, plus transportation services nearby made it easier to get to appointments, restaurants, or one of the 18 places of worship close by, and with four parks, a theater, and many cafes and shops nearby, residents had chances to relax and get out. The grounds had nice gardens and cozy common areas, where folks could sit and talk, and the whole building was geared toward comfort, social connection, and safety. The home also won a few awards for its care, activities, and staff friendliness like Best of Senior Living and Activities awards, and the nurses worked alongside physicians from the area's six hospitals and several pharmacies nearby, which helped keep residents healthy. The West Virginia Masonic Home did eventually close in 2016 and the building was torn down four years later, but for years, it offered a supportive community and a long list of services for older adults needing various levels of care, with a special focus on people connected to the Masonic Lodge.