Methodist Village Senior Living

One of the most challenging issues Methodist Village Senior Living has faced in its 60-year history has been COVID-19.

The Fort Smith senior care center, however, has not had a resident die from the disease, said CEO Melissa Curry. “And I give all that credit to, of course, God watching over us, but our staff is amazing,” she said.

Founded in 1961, Methodist Village offers services such as independent living for people 55 years and older, assisted living, long-term care and Alzheimer’s care, making it the only such center in the River Valley region, Curry said. It also offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services on its 30-acre campus.

In addition, residents can see a physician, optometrist, podiatrist and dentist at Methodist Village’s multitreatment center, which opened in 2017. “I don’t believe that there is any other center like it in Arkansas or in the South,” she said.

The nonprofit organization started a $55 million campuswide renovation project in 2017 that will be completed in phases. Methodist Village is working on a $3 million project that involves renovating the exterior of its care center and building new administrative offices. That project is expected to be finished this year.

In 2019, it completed an $8 million 45-bed assisted living and Alzheimer’s care building.

With a staff of about 220, Methodist Village serves between 180 and 200 residents daily.

In 2017, Methodist Village opened a training center used to teach employees how to care for residents with dementia.

Methodist Village also works to show appreciation to its employees. It offers incentives to employees who don’t miss work, pays 75% of an employee’s health care insurance and offers a 401(k) match.

Curry said Methodist Village has been successful because of its mission, which is “to provide wonderful life experiences for our residents and their families so they can live full and enriching lives.”