The Evergreen Inn is named Agemark Senior Living’s Community of the Year

ESTHER SHORT – Agemark Senior Living recently named The Evergreen Inn as its community of the year for 2023. The award was announced at Agemark’s corporate meeting held March 7 in Omaha.

Opened in 1987, the community mainly serves adults with intellectual disabilities while also offering traditional assisted living services. It is home to as many as 82 residents and offers both private and companion room options in a safe and supportive environment. The inn, located at 500 Main St., was originally built in 1928 as a full-service hotel.

For the award, the community was measured in five areas: occupancy, family satisfaction, employee satisfaction, income to operating expenses and budget management.

The win was Evergreen’s sixth and the third year in a row. Its leadership team includes Executive Director Kelly Higdon, Candice Griffith, Bill Strickland, Cindy Strickland, Kathy Wagner and Teresa Yohe.

The Evergreen Inn earned two other awards. First, the community was Agemark’s top performer for both staff and resident satisfaction in surveys performed in 2023. Additionally, caregiver Christina Toledo was recognized as an Agemark HERO, which is the company’s highest individual award. Just four Agemark employees out of more than 1,000 received the honor.

“Christina has demonstrated the utmost commitment to our company’s core values: professionalism, integrity, commitment, and compassion, “ Higdon said. “She has an amazing work ethic and gives so much to our community and residents every day. She is a loyal and loving person and displays that to residents and her co-workers.”