About Us
History
HistoryManchester Health Services began life in 1942, when at the beginning of World War II, financial support for a number of service projects was withdrawn. The Manchester District Nursing Association had for many years served the community, but the additional need for preventive medicine, rehabilitation, and social services was apparent.
It was the belief of Mr. Henry Wehrhane that Manchester could, and would, support an organization dedicated to serving those ends. Enlisting the aid of Miss Mary Rogers Warren and District Nurse, Mrs. Mary Torrey, he gave freely of his money, his time, his energy, and his far-sighted vision to make such an organization a reality. In 1942 Manchester Welfare and Nursing Association began providing health screenings, preventive medicine, rehabilitation and social services to Manchester's children.
With a Board of 15 hard-working directors, the Manchester Welfare and Nursing Association incorporated in 1944. The intervening years have seen many changes, in the philosophy of social services, in the part played by federal and state governments, and in community needs, as evidenced by a change in name to Manchester Health Services. Enduring through all the changes, however, has been the goal of providing home care and preventive services by means of a community supported agency governed by a local voluntary Board of Directors.
In 1967, when the Federal Social Security Act provided for medical care for those over 65, services for the elderly expanded. In 1973, the name of the organization was changed to Manchester Health Services.
Over the last thirty years home care has been recognized as a viable alternative to hospitalization or nursing home care and a dramatic increase in the demand for services has taken place. Predictions indicate that the growth in the need for home care services will continue to intensify.
