The Elim History

R.E. Howe served 10 years as the senior pastor of a historic church in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, called Elim Chapel. This was Howe’s first association with the name Elim. After Howe moved to California, and was pastoring a large church in Fresno, he and a partner purchased the original hospital in Sanger, California, in October of 1990. The building was renovated over the next year, and opened it doors as Elim Place in March of 1992. At the time, it was the first, stand- alone, assisted living community in California’s Central Valley to exclusively cater to seniors with memory loss.

Howe bought out his partner in 1995, had an architect draw up renovation and expansion plans, and finished constructing in 1999 a community that was licensed for 44 residents. The expanded facility had a new commercial kitchen, laundry facilities, an interior courtyard, and a cherry wood dining room. In addition, the community was secured electronically to enable the memory-loss residents to wander without fear of endangering themselves or eloping.

In 2000, a one year old assisted living community became available in Fresno. Located on West Herndon Avenue, it was licensed for 38 beds. The facility came with 6 ½ acres fronting Herndon Avenue. Howe purchased the site in 2000, changing the name to Elim Gardens. Future expansion plans include a continuing care community on this site.

The Elimcare Foundation was launched in 2001 to provide additional services and opportunities for our growing population, giving our families and supporters an opportunity to remember their love ones through tax deductible gifts and bequests.

In 2002, after almost 30 years of ministry, Howe stepped down from his position as a senior pastor. This gave him the ability to give his full attention to the expansion and development of Elimcare.

Community Medical Center in Fresno sold Howe its 99 bed, skilled nursing community for on Bullard Avenue. After almost three years of negotiations, the purchase was finalized April, 2006. For the first time, Elimcare became able to offer medical care to its many families. This community is for memory-loss and its name was changed to the Alzheimer’s Living Center at Elim.

Elim In-Home Care was launched January, 2007. This new, company allows Elimcare to place non-medical caregivers into homes of seniors who are not yet ready to move into a long-term care facility. Most seniors desire to stay in their own homes for as long as possible to retain maximum independence and freedom of life-style. Elim In-Home Care was designed to assist seniors in realizing this dream while simultaneously meeting some of their activity of daily living needs.

Elimcare is planning an Independent Senior Living community in northwest Fresno on the Elim Gardens site. The goal is to gradually change this site from an assisted living facility to a continuing care community with independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.