Arlington Hts. Stories: Growing old on the prairie
Growing old on the prairie was a hard proposition, and came too early for most. Getting by in the 19th century was one manual task after another, requiring dexterity and the physical strength to chop, lug, drag, carry, heave and endure hours of repetitive small work.
By the end of the century, the United States was a major center for medical research, and vaccines, antiseptic methods, and preventive measures with substantially improved medical care.
One estimate is that by 1910 a patient had a 50-50 chance of being cured by a doctor's advice.
@$ID/NormalParagraphStyle: countriesquest.com/north_america/usa/people/growth People were living longer, but were less able to cope with the more difficult physical aspects of daily life. They needed care.
In small rural towns like Arlington Heights, the elderly remained home until they went to live with their children. But need for medical care and special nursing often made this arrangement impossible. The practice of geriatrics was in its infancy and the elderly needed a place of their own to live out their last years.
The Lutherans, comprising the majority of Arlington Heights' German population, raised funds to build a facility facing what is today Northwest Highway at the Elms Shopping Center.
The Altenheim Gesellschaft — Old Folks Home Association — laid its cornerstone on Aug. 20, 1893.
The complex structure offered steam heat in its rooms and was illuminated by kerosene lamps. In seven years, the home was filled to capacity and 40 more beds were added.
The seniors lost no time in creating a huge vegetable garden tended by residents who could manage light labor. The garden expanded as 80 acres of the Kehe farm were acquired, allowing production of fresh meat and dairy as well.
Over the years, medical personnel were added to the staff to provide nursing care and plan activities. Occupational therapy arrived to keep old skills alive and handicrafts sold to visitors at the gift shop. The self-sufficiency of the Altenheim is apparent when you become aware that the translation of its governing bylaws from German into English didn't occur until 1928.
@$ID/NormalParagraphStyle: Maren Bertelsen, “Health care – A Legacy of Healing,” Chronicle of a Prairie Town, Arlington Heights Historical Society, 1976.
Beginning in 1952, the Kehe Farm acreage was redeveloped into living space. The original frame home was torn down and replaced by modern housing and medical care facilities.
Today, Luther Village has risen from the needs of Arlington Heights' seniors, and other facilities throughout the village have joined it. Today, for many, living a long life has become a time of fresh discoveries as the burden of years have been eased by better health and a spirit of accomplishment.