COMMUNITY INFORMATION

ALTENHEIM IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

CONTACT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GEORGE DAKOVIC FOR INFORMATION OR TO APPLY!

Altenheim Retirement Community has long been a part of Wheeling's history.  Known as Altenheim Home for the Aged, the home was originally located close to the intersection of National Road and Bethany Pike, close to the current Kepner Funeral Home / Springhill Suites location.  Anton Reymann, the donor of Altenheim, purchased the beautiful old Mount Belleview summer hotel, had the house and grounds renovated, then gave it to a board of trustees to be used as a home for older women, many of whom were "retired" German domestics who had cared for Wheeling's wealthy.  These ladies were offered life care with all of their needs met.  The formal opening was held on May 7, 1891. 

Altenheim remained at that site until the building needed too many repairs to be remodeled yet again.  The old hand-made bricks and crumbling mortar were too deteriorated to be salvaged.  In 1949, the Board purchased the property of John O. Schenk.  The home was moved in 1950 to the current location.  The "new" home was once the site of the A.B. Paxton residence, although Mr. Schenk had the original home razed and contracted with Wheeling architect Edward Bates Franzheim to design the Georgian Revival house, originally called "Uplands" and known today as "Altenheim". The "new" home was completed in 1922.  This location was a bit farther out than the original Mount Belleview site but was more accessible to the ladies.  Once purchased by the Board, the home was remodeled to accommodate the residents offering private rooms with private baths.

For over 60 years, the focus was residential housing for aged women with the residents being offered meals, housekeeping, laundry services, activities, and a comfortable, caring lifestyle.  In 2008, the Board of Trustees decided to shift the focus to free-standing, independent housing for adults 65 years and older and constructed three A-frame cottages on the east side of the main building.  Two years later, three cottages were added on the rear of the property, and in 2014, two more cottages were added on the west side of the main building.

The main building (formerly the residence house) is now our Administrative Building housing the offices of our Executive Director and Resource & Referral Services Coordinator.  We continue to focus on older adults offering housing in our modern cottages and a free Resource and Referral Service for older adults and caregivers who need information on aging and caregiving issues regardless of income or location.

We offer stylish housing for independent individuals who are 65 years of age and older. Our eight free-standing cottages are rented on a monthly basis and are equipped with stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, and dryers. Amenities include lawn care, snow removal, general maintenance, activities, and more.  Pets are considered. Rent does not include utilities.  There is no admission fee.

Are you interested in what we have to offer?  Contact our Executive Director for more information or to apply.

Check out the Photo Gallery for pictures of our cottages and Retirement Community happenings!