The Good News Magazine

Dixon House Maintains Home-Like Environment for Aged

Dixon House, once a dream of some charitable women in the community in 1889, has been an important part of the fabric of Easton, having provided independent and assisted living for the aged for 100 years. The home, located at 108 North Higgins Street in Easton, was envisioned to be a pleasant home where senior ladies could live in comfort and privacy – still landmark qualities of The Dixon House today.

This colorized postcard is of The Dixon House, known as the Home for the Aged Women of Talbot and Caroline Counties, in 1910.

According to Lynne Ewing, administrator at The Dixon House, “If you look at the 100 years we have provided services here at the residence, while there have been many changes in our world, there is much that has stayed the same here.”

Lynne refers to the comfortable feeling and sense of family that is experienced at The Dixon House by its staff and residents. She adds, “The traditions we were founded upon, to provide care in a home-like setting, are still the mission of our organization today.”

Yesterday

In 1902, Mrs. S. Amanda Dixon found foresighted, charitable women in the community to serve on the first Board of Directors for The Dixon House. The vision of these charitable women occurred during a period before women had the right to vote in the U.S. Voting rights were not enacted until 1920, when the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution became law. The non-profit organization, the Home of the Aged of Talbot County, was incorporated on February 6, 1902. In August of 1903, Mrs. Dixon and her husband, Robert B. Dixon had donated the lot to be the future home of the Home for the Aged in Talbot County. Because the structure for the home had not yet been built, in 1903, the Home began being operated in a temporary residence owned by a Mrs. Shure, providing rooms for five women. Dixon House records show that Miss Mary Ann Cox, age 92, was its first resident.

The Dixon House dining room has served home-cooked meals to residents of The Dixon House for 100 years.

The beautiful Victorian house that is home to The Dixon House today was thought to be built between 1903 and 1910. In 1910, the name changed to the Home for the Aged Women of Talbot and Caroline Counties. In 1939, the name was again changed, this time to the Home for the Aged Women at Easton, Maryland, Inc. To commemorate the Dixon family, the Board of Directors of the Home voted in 1984 to change the name to The Dixon House and it was this same year that men became eligible for admittance. Because the women residents were initially hesitant to share their home with men, it wasn’t until 1991 that the first gentleman was admitted. Today, there are four male residents at The Dixon House.

Today

The Home is licensed today by the State of Maryland as an assisted living residence with 18 generous private rooms for senior men and women, 65 years of age or older. The atmosphere at the home-like residence is like an extended family – just what the women had envisioned more than 100 years ago. The spacious and elegant house features a comfortable living room, charming dining room, and cozy library where residents and guests can relax and socialize. While many elements of the residence have not changed over the years, a number of things have changed. In 1977, the Lions Club added a patio on the back of the house and later the house’s side porch was altered to make way for progress with the installation of an elevator. Between 1984 and 1988, 13 private bedrooms and bathrooms were added. About 10 years ago, the Home’s four-bed infirmary was converted to an activities room for the seniors, where they play bingo, exercise, receive massage therapy and make crafts. Here, residents can also get their hair cut on Mondays.

Bernice Wilson, of Easton, has been employed at The Dixon House for 35 years and is its longest standing employee, initially working as a relief cook and now as a dining aide. She recalls some of her fondest memories over the years, “The house is a comfortable place. Some of my fondest memories were the ladies always sitting on the front porch after lunch and after dinner. They also always dressed up when coming to lunch or dinner.”
Bernice remembers how the home-cooked meals were served family style in the residence’s dining room, with the serving bowls of food brought directly to the table. She reminisces, “Everything was made from scratch in those days. Our fried chicken used to be the Sunday favorite.” The Dixon House still prides itself on its home-cooking, although attention to individual dietary needs prevents them from serving the meals “family-style.”

Because The Dixon House does not receive any financial aid from the local, state or federal government, it relies heavily upon the generosity of the community and caring individuals. Over the years, the community has played a large role in supporting The Dixon House because it has touched so many of the community’s families.
Lynne comments, “Our mission, which has always been embraced by our Board of Directors, is to provide affordable care for our residents. As we strive to continue to honor our mission it is always helpful to have the continued financial support from those in the community who share in our vision.”

Over the years, organizations have partnered with The Dixon House to enrich the lives of its residents. The Talbot County Garden Club members have provided Christmas teas; the Easton Kiwanis Club has trimmed the Christmas trees over the years; students from the Macqueen Gibbs Willis School of Nursing and Chesapeake College and the 4-H Busy Beavers have serenaded the residents, while Brownie Troops and students from The Country School have provided parties and picnics.

Bernice recalls some of the generosity of community residents, “During the holidays, J. McKenny Willis donated oranges and grapefruits every year. Local organizations would drop off cookies and candy and play Santa Claus for the residents. Dawkins Market always donated Thanksgiving dinner for us to prepare for the residents.” She adds, “In the summer months, local farmers also donated their extra produce to us.”

Tomorrow

As health care is changing in today’s world, sometimes the opportunity for personal connections between caregivers and their elderly patients are limited. At The Dixon House, residents receive friendly, personalized care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from certified nursing staff, supervised by a registered nurse. This commitment to resident care and safety is a hallmark of living at The Dixon House, providing peace of mind to both the residents and their families. As health care costs are rising, The Dixon House has been able to remain the most affordable in assisted living.

Lynne Ewing (left) is the administrator at The Dixon House and Bernice Wilson, of Easton, has worked at The Dixon House for 35 years.

For Bernice and others, the most appealing feature of working at The Dixon House is its friendly atmosphere. Most of the staff feels its small, intimate size enables them to get to know residents and their families, spending more time with each one and developing personal and lasting relationships. The Dixon House’s current marketing slogan, “Just Like Home,” reflects its original purpose and current mission and is embraced by staff members who welcome the opportunity to brighten the day of each resident.

Lesa Butler, CNA, of Hurlock, nursing team leader at The Dixon House, comments, “I sought out employment at The Dixon House because I wanted to be able to spend time with the residents I am caring for. When I came here, I fell in love with the place. Hearing the residents’ stories captured my heart.” She adds, “The residents here understand that this is their home.”

Bernice echoes Lesa’s feelings, adding, “Everyone gets along here and the residents are good people.” Both Bernice and Lesa especially enjoy celebrating the milestone birthdays with residents. Many of the residents reach their 100th birthdays while living here. Two of the residents currently at The Dixon House will celebrate their 100th and 101st birthdays in the coming year – just in time to celebrate with the residence as it marks its 100th year of providing the elderly with the comforts of home.

For information about The Dixon House, contact Lynne Ewing, administrator, at 410-822-6661 or visit www.dixonhouse.org.

Excerpt from the Rules for Government of the House (1909)

1. The matron, under the direction of the House-hold Committee, shall have charge of the house and shall enforce the rules…….She shall at all times maintain the respect due to her position and by kindness, attention and judicious treatment endeavor to gain the esteem and secure the comfort of all those who are under her care.
2. The residents must be respectful to the Matron and courteous to one another.
3. It will be required of all the residents who are capable to make their own beds and keep their rooms in neat order……Also that they sew, knit or render any other service for the benefit of the Home.
4. All visitors will be charged at the rate of 25 cents a meal.
5. Residents will be allowed to receive visitors in their rooms, if they so desire.
6. Nothing shall be thrown out of the windows.
7. No resident shall bring food of any description to the table without the Matron’s consent.
8. No resident shall visit the kitchen for any purpose unless by the direction of the Matron.
9. If residents feel disposed to visit their friends, they are required to leave the key to their room with the Matron and inform her where they intend staying and the probable length of their visit.
10. Respect will be paid….in the selection of a physician.
11. Tattling, ridicule, unkind, uncharitable remarks and conversations are forbidden.

To preserve the order and harmony of the family, entire obedience must be paid to all rules and regulations adopted for the government of the Home.