History

The Dana Home, founded as the Lexington Home for the Aged in 1905, provided a home for the elderly at 2027 Massachusetts Avenue. The home was purchased in 1916 after years of fundraising and with special thanks to a generous bequest from Lexington resident Ellen Dana. For ninety four years, the Dana Home operated as an independent living residence for seniors. It provided a lovely Victorian home setting, along with meals and companionship, for independent seniors who had a connection to Lexington. At the time of its founding, programs didn't exist for seniors who could no longer afford to care for themselves in their homes. Over the years since the Dana Home’s founding, programs and supports for seniors who prefer to remain in their own homes have grown and evolved to include a myriad of options. After a number of years of declining enrollment the Dana Home closed its doors in October 2010 and sold the property.

Although no longer operating an elder care residence, the assets of the Dana Home, now renamed the Dana Home Foundation, Inc., are being used to support programs that provide important services to seniors with a connection to Lexington. The work of the Dana Home Foundation continues to serve the original intent of the founders of the Dana Home, to enable seniors to age with dignity and grace by providing for their comfort and well-being.

In May of 2013 the first annual Grant Award Ceremony was held where awards were made in honor of long time Dana Home Executive Director Showkat Rafi and in memory of Dana Home Board Member Jim Wong.  

Portrait of Ellen Dana as a young girl - now hangs in Cary Memorial Library