Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center celebrating 50 years

Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, one of Winfield’s oldest and largest businesses, is celebrating 50 years of serving Winfield and the surrounding communities with an Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 19. This is a great opportunity to take a look back at how the care of our frail elders has evolved and to celebrate this wonderful milestone.

In 1954, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Beauchamp moved to Winfield to establish a nursing home in a large house at 205 S. Locust St. It closed in 1965, and Winfield was without nursing home facilities for 10 years. With a need on the mind of many, a committee was appointed in early summer of 1973 to look into options for providing the community with a new, modern intermediate care facility. After a great deal of research, exploring needs and interest, and many meetings, Winfield Health Care and Retirement Center was incorporated by twenty-five original investors in November 1973. A Board of Directors was elected, consisting of John Carty, Bob Connop, Roger Hanze, Bill Ibbotson, Michael Klopfenstein, William McKasson, Albert Schmidt, and Billy Nordyke. These dedicated men traveled extensively to check out other recently built facilities; conferred with engineers, architects, and nursing home consultants; gained approval from the governing state bodies; and secured financing. Stocks were sold to approximately 250 families to get the ball rolling. Sunrise has always been community-owned and operated while many competitors have been purchased by chains or corporations. This helps ensure the needs and interests of residents, not financial gain, are at the foremost of decisions. It was struggle in the first years to sell all the stock needed and repay loans.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Aug. 19, 1974, and work progressed steadily through the following year. Norm Walters, foreman for

Medical Facilities, supervised the project. The Board was kept busy making decisions, assuring the numerous legalities were met, and hiring staff. They also helped get the facility ready for opening — right down to unloading furniture and making beds!

Dedication for Sunrise Terrace (the name chosen in a contest) was held on Sunday, October 12, 1975, with approximately 1,600 people attending. Yes, 1600! Speeches were given, guided tours of the building provided, and refreshments enjoyed. This event had been anticipated for two years and people came from miles around to check out this new cutting-edge facility! Back then, these events were a community gathering that everyone attended.

Some of the ‘firsts’ for Sunrise included ‘first hire’ of Office Manager Peggy Cline (now Beaty), and ‘first resident’ Roy Cline. Peggy filled in as interim Administrator several times and was eventually persuaded to get her Administrator’s license, becoming the driving force behind Sunrise Terrace for decades. She turned the reins over to Lindsay Remick in 2020 with seamless continuity of excellence with the Board of Directors succession planning.

Our building has undergone many physical changes over the years, including several additions, outdoor patios and gardens, remodeled work and care areas, six skilled rooms and a therapy gym added. There has been a reduction in capacity from 64 beds to 46 beds and an increase in private rooms from 4 to 30. After 50 years, it was time for most everything to get a face-lift, and we look forward to showing it off at our Open House.

The long-term care industry is one of the most regulated industries there is, even outranking nuclear energy. Sunrise has witnessed many changes, and increases, in guidelines and regulations from the state and federal government. While most are for the better, many caused headaches, increased staffing, and financial hardships as staff struggled to meet and exceed these directives. Sunrise has had an excellent record with the Department of Inspections and Appeals, with numerous deficiency-free surveys and a reputation for being on the leading edge of changes in the industry. One of the biggest changes has been what is referred to as ‘culture change’. Sunrise was built as a medical model of care, with the

thought that it was a step away from hospital services. Over the years, it has become obvious that people do not want to live in hospitals, they want to live in homes. Sunrise has redecorated to appear more homelike, taken out the nurses’ stations, added more common areas, and sought resident input into what they wanted in their environment. Residents should and are at the center of decision-making. These changes are not just superficial but permeated into the core of Sunrise’s belief system. Home isn’t just a place; it is a feeling you get when you walk in the door.

Many practices have changed in the field over the years. When opened, physical restraints were a normal everyday thing used for resident safety. Sunrise has been restraint-free for years. Pet therapy is now known to benefit the frail both mentally and physically. To advance in this area, Sunrise added a resident mini-bernedoodle dog named Poppy who spreads joy, love, and smiles up and down the halls. It used to be common to see residents lining up the halls at 6 a.m. waiting for breakfast. Now it is recognized that most people do not want to arise that early when they are retired and schedules are set more around their preferences. Activities are recognized for their importance in adding enrichment to residents’ lives. Meals are more home-cooked and more options are available with our dining services. Sunrise is noted for being clean and odor-free, something we are very proud of.

In the early 2000s, guidelines came out for offering short-term skilled care in nursing homes as a ‘step down’ from hospital care. Sunrise has been able to assist many community members in returning to successful independent living in their own homes after a brief recuperation here. This new line of care allowed us to build our ‘Get Well…Go Home’ addition of six suites and a large therapy gym. In addition, many outpatients come to Sunrise for Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy. This led to the revised name of ‘Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’.

Sunrise has consistently been ranked as a CMS rated Five Star Facility and AHCA’s Top Line report currently places Sunrise as the #1 long-term care facility in Iowa out of nearly 400 homes! Further, Sunrise has received the Silver (2018 and

2024) and Bronze Quality Awards through the American Health Care Association. U.S. News and World Report has recognized Sunrise as a ‘Best Nursing Home In Iowa’ multiple times. These prestigious honors have been made possible by exceptional leadership and staff, being locally-owned, and being a small close-knit community that feels like family. Being small and rural has its drawbacks but is also an asset!

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of community members have been involved with Sunrise Terrace over its span, as residents, employees, Board Members, Care Review Committee members, Auxiliary members, volunteers, and visitors. Some have worked or volunteered here, then later joined our ranks as a resident. We have had some ‘second-generation’ residents who chose to come to Sunrise when needing care as they witnessed the excellent care their parents received. We have even had people come from out of state because of our reputation. If you have been part of our history, currently are involved in our provision of services, or are just curious about our changes or what we have to offer, we encourage you to join us for our celebration on Sunday, October 19th! Live Entertainment! Tours! Food! Drinks! Door prizes! Old and new friends! What could be a better way to spend Sunday afternoon?