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Vol. 99 · AbileneThe Winter Issue
A resident couple holding hands on the front walk on a bright afternoon

The Ivy Terrace Gazette · Abilene, Kansas

Twelve residents. One front porch. All the news that's fit to share.

A Kansas home plus on a brick street in Abilene, caring for up to twelve older adults with the attention only a small house can give.

Schedule a tourLevels of care
A resident reading the newspaper on a bench under the autumn trees

What sets us apart

Where we shine

A caregiver combing a resident's hair by the sunny window
01

Bathing, dressing and grooming

Help on each resident's schedule. A shave with a hot towel for anyone who wants one.

Included
A caregiver setting down lunch for a resident at the kitchen table
02

Three home-cooked meals and snacks

Fried chicken Sundays, bierocks on Wednesdays and pie when the cherries are in.

Included
The front porch with white rocking chairs beside the oak door
03

Porch mornings and the garden walk

Coffee on the porch at seven and a slow lap around the ivy wall after lunch.

Included

From the editor's desk

A small house, read closely, tells you everything.

Nadine Ostermann's father ran the print shop on Buckeye Avenue for thirty years, and she still reads three newspapers before breakfast. When she opened Ivy Terrace in 1999 in a 1910 foursquare covered in Boston ivy, she promised the families of Dickinson County a home that would keep them as well informed as the Reflector-Chronicle once kept her dad.

That promise is the reason we write a short note to every family each week, why every resident's service plan sits in a binder they can read, and why the first thing a new caregiver learns is each resident's story. A home plus is licensed for no more than twelve people. We think that is exactly the right size to know each one well.

— Nadine Ostermann, owner and operator

A resident reading a paperback in a yellow wingback chair by the window

Ratings & recognition · sample

  • Abilene Chamber · Small Business of the Year (sample)
  • Dickinson County Readers' Choice · Best Senior Care (sample)
  • Kansas home plus · licensed since 1999

Sample family reviews

Letters to the editor

I live in Denver. Nadine's Friday letter is the best part of my week. I know what Mom ate, who visited and what she argued about in newspaper club.
Laurie K.Daughter of a resident
Dad farmed outside Talmage his whole life. They let him walk the garden every afternoon and check on the tomatoes like they are his.
Steven B.Son of a resident
When Mom fell and broke her wrist, Carla was at the emergency room before I could get there from Junction City.
Pam R.Daughter of a resident
My grandfather was a history teacher. The monthly trip to the presidential library made him feel like himself again.
Derek O.Grandson of a resident
Twelve people, three caregivers, one cook who knows Mother hates peas. That is the whole difference.
Mary Ann F.Daughter of a resident
We were nervous about leaving the farmhouse. Ivy Terrace feels like the next house down the road, not a facility.
Ron and Gloria V.Son and daughter-in-law of a resident

For families

For families

Practical answers for the people who love our residents.

  1. 01

    Visiting

    Come any time. Ring the bell by the porch swing, sign the guest book and stay for a meal if you like.

  2. 02

    The Friday letter

    Every family gets a short weekly note about their person's week. Add as many relatives to the list as you want.

  3. 03

    Service plan meetings

    We meet with family and our consulting nurse before move-in, every quarter and whenever needs change.

  4. 04

    Laundry and labels

    Label clothing with a name or initials. We wash everything here and return it folded.

  • 12residents, the most a Kansas home plus may serve
  • 1999the year Ivy Terrace opened
  • 14years our cook has run the kitchen
  • 3caregivers on every day shift

Our team

The masthead

Nadine Ostermann, Owner and operator

Nadine Ostermann

Owner and operator

Nadine opened Ivy Terrace in 1999 after a career in hospital social work in Salina. She writes the family letter every Friday.

  • Admissions
  • Family letters
Carla Ruiz, RN, Consulting registered nurse

Carla Ruiz, RN

Consulting registered nurse

Carla reviews every resident's health and medications and trains our medication aides. She has worked in Dickinson County nursing for twenty years.

  • Medication review
  • Service plans
Tasha Greene, CMA, Lead caregiver

Tasha Greene, CMA

Lead caregiver

Tasha leads the day shift, knows every resident's routine by heart and is usually the first face families see.

  • Daily care
  • New caregiver training
Luis Navarro, Cook

Luis Navarro

Cook

Luis has run our kitchen for fourteen years. Residents vote on the menu monthly, and he still wins on fried chicken.

  • Home cooking
  • Special diets
Ana Morales, Activities and outings

Ana Morales

Activities and outings

Ana studied recreation therapy at Kansas State. She runs newspaper club, plans the monthly outings and keeps the puzzle table stocked.

  • Outings
  • Newspaper club

Now hiring

Patient people who like a small house and a full table. Certification help available.

Visit

Three blocks off Buckeye

Tour & office hours

  • Tours, Mon – Sat9a – 5p
  • Office, Mon – Fri8a – 4:30p
  • Families visitAny time

The weekly family letter goes out every Friday. Ask the office to add any email address you like.

Stop in for coffee and the morning paper.

Weekday mornings are when the house is busiest and happiest. Call Nadine or book a tour time below.

Schedule a tourCall (785) 555-0129Text