Over a Century and Counting

Founded in 1912 by 13 Jewish women, JGS Lifecare began as the Daughters of Zion Home for the Aged in Springfield. Over the past century, we have undergone several transformations as we have responded to the changing needs of the elderly in the Pioneer Valley area, and we’re still reinventing ourselves!

What started as a stand-alone home for the aged is now a family of services, agencies and programs.
Learn how you can support our mission into the next century.

1912
1912
1938
1950
1961
1972
1976
1981
1984
1992
1994
1997
1998 & 1999
2007
2009
2016
2018
2021
2022
2022
2024
1912

In 1912, members of the Rechamo Silverman Organization went door to door selling raffle tickets at ten cents a piece to raise money to establish a facility that would care for the Jewish elderly who could not care for themselves.

A plaque that says The Daughters of Zion
1912

The Daughters of Zion Home for the Aged, located at 67 Massasoit Street, home to 12 residents, set the precedent of compassion and community spirit that would eventually become Jewish Geriatric Services.

The Daughter's of Zion home
1938

In need of additional space, the Home moved to 44 Copley Terrace, the residence of the former Mayor Leonard of Springfield, and the name was officially changed to the Springfield Jewish Home for the Aged.

Original stained glass window from 44 Copley Terrace
1950

First major addition completed, providing 24 beds in the new wing, private facilities for all rooms, solarium, sun terrace, recreation hall, modern dining room, and new kitchen.

Springfield Jewish Home for the Aged
1961

The second expansion in 1961 brought resident capacity to 84 and a new entrance and lobby. By 1968, the resident population numbered 114.

The second expansion to Springfield Jewish Home for the Aged.
1972

In 1972 the vision for a campus of elder services became a reality with the purchase of 23 acres of land in Longmeadow. The Springfield Jewish Home for the Aged relocates to 770 Converse Street offering a 160 bed skilled and intermediate care nursing facility.

Three men holding a rendering of the Campus of Care
1976

In 1976, a therapeutic adult day care program was established, serving 15 people a day.

The original JGS property
1981

In 1981, the completion of a new 40 bed wing (our New York Unit housing both long-term care and short-term rehabilitative care) brought total bed capacity in the nursing home to 200. We were the first nursing home in Western Massachusetts to dedicate a unit to the care of Alzheimer's Disease.

A resident working on Physical Therapy
1984

We established Wernick Adult Day Health Care in 1984, one of the first adult day health centers in Massachusetts. On the Harold Grinspoon Campus, we opened the Genesis House, now Genesis Lifecare, in 1984, offering affordable, independent living housing for elders.

Genesis groundbreaking for expansion.
1992

In 1992, corporate reorganization created Jewish Geriatric Services, Inc. and its subsidiary the Jewish Nursing Home of Western MA.Genesis House II opens, bringing total units to 80.

Genesis Independent Living at JGS Lifecare in Longmeadow, Massachusetts
1994

In 1994, we created Spectrum Home Health Care, bringing skilled nursing into the privacy and comfort of patients’ homes.

Spectrum Home Health
1997

In 1997, the Regeneration Campaign funds renovation of the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home. This includes the addition of the Nirenberg Health Services Building, and Ruth's House Assisted Living Facility, which provides 64 units, 20 located on the lower Garden Level which is especially designed for people with Alzheimer's disease and other memory impairments.

Ruth's House Exterior in Longmeadow, Massachusetts
1998 & 1999

In 1998 JGS Family Medical Care was established, a full service physician practice located on the JGS Campus.In 1999, the JGS Case Management Program is established, to help guide and counsel people through the maze of elder health care options.

A physician caring for a JGS Resident and patient
2007

In 2007, JGS expands Spectrum Home Health Care to include a certified Hospice program, Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care.

Spectrum Hospice Aide attending to a patient.
2009

In 2009, our Dog Visitation Program joins our Harp Program. Funded by the Marceau Fund for the Terminally Ill.

Music and Memory Harp program
2016

We opened the Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, the first Green House® certified facility in western Massachusetts, in December 2016, ushering in a new model of short-term rehabilitation care in a home-like environment.

Sosin exterior
2018

JGS Lifecare becomes a founding member of Legacy Lifecare, a new organization dedicated to serving its not-for-profit affiliates.

Legacy Lifecare logo
2021

Our first TNA (Temporary Nurse Aid) “graduates” completed the clinical portion of their TNA training.

Olga and Rosaly celebrating their graduation from Temporary Nurse Aid training.
2022

Northeast Rehab Brings Specialized Patient-Centered Approach to JGS Lifecare Campus.

A resident working on rehab skills with a CNA at JGS Lifecare
2022

Rob Whitten is appointed as President of JGS Lifecare.

Rob Whitten Head Shot
2024

Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care renamed Legacy Lifecare VNA & Hospice.

A caregiver walking with an older woman.