86-Year-Old's Felony Case Raises Questions for All of Us
Yesterday a Saint Peter, Minnesota woman with dementia was charged with voter fraud after accidentally voting twice in the 2012 primary election. Her story raises questions for all of us. This link will take you to a blog post on it where you can share your thoughts.
Life Stories Celebrated at Ecumen Community in Norwood Young America
One of the joys of working at Ecumen is getting to know so many people who have great stories and life experiences. A number of Ecumen communities are collaborating with Celebrations of Life whose mission is to provide a meaningful Legacy Journey® experience to help individuals and families live their lives with intention and share their values, wisdom and generosity with loved ones and future generations. Through the collaboration, Ecumen customers explore and publish their life story. As you can imagine, the stories make great keepsakes today and for generations to come.
The Harbor in Norwood Young America is an Ecumen-managed community that has had 8 residents who have recently embarked on their life story projects. The newest stories were celebrated last week at a reception at The Harbor, where the authors unveiled their hardcover autobiographies, sharing them with family and friends.
Over the course of several months residents met with Bonita Heilman, The Harbor’s Community Relations Director to share, reflect and write about their lives. After the writing process is complete, the stories are edited and published in hardcover books complete with a lifetime of photographs.
Among the authors and honorees at the most recent celebrations were the following:
Bonnie Trebesch: She grew up in Clements, MN, and met her husband when she was 13. They were married when she was 18. He was a Marine stationed in California. Together they had 12 children. Talk about juggling!
Gordon Wroge (pictured above): He grew up on the family farm in Young America, MN that was founded by his Grandfather in 1876. Gordon spoke German at home and learned English at school. Today Gordon’s son Dave is the fourth generation of Gordon’s family to live on and work the family farm.
Vernon Henschen: Vernon also grew up on a farm near Cologne, MN. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Hamburg, Germany, and found the German he spoke at home with his family came in handy while stationed overseas. He has restored over 70 tractors in his lifetime. They’re all at the family farm. And they’re all International Harvesters.
Congratulations to Bonnie, Gordon and Vernon for sharing their stories! Your families must be proud. We are!
Ecumen Welcomes New Board of Trustee Members
Ecumen is very pleased to welcome Ann Barkelew, Dick Olson, Anne Simpson and Darrell Tukua to our Board of Trustees. More information on each new Ecumen Trustee follows:
Anne Barkelew
Ann Barkelew’s 35-year public relations career includes C-suite experience in the public sector (Los Angeles County Office of Education), the private sector (Dayton Hudson Corporation, nka Target Corporation) and with a major international agency (Fleishman Hillard).
In 1995, Ann was named by her peers internationally as “Public Relations Professional of the Year;” in 1999, was named one of the Most Influential Women in Business in Minnesota by CityBusiness; in 2001, received Fleishman-Hillard’s Lifetime Achievement Award; and in 2003, received the Arthur W. Page Society’s Distinguished Service Award for contributions that have strengthened the role of public relations in society.
Today Ann is actively involved with VocalEssence as a member of the board and with womenwinning: Minnesota Women’s Campaign Fund as a past board member. She twice chaired the Children’s Theatre Company Board of Governors. She was a public member of the Minnesota News Council for six years and chaired the Council’s first board of directors. She was a founding member of United Way’s “Success by Six” program and was actively involved with the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council. She served two terms on the boards of the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Minneapolis Club. She is a member of the Minnesota Women’s Forum and the Twin Cities Communications Council.
Ann began her career as a high school English and journalism teacher in Missouri and California. She headed public information programs in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles California as a school administrator before moving to the corporate sector in 1981. She earned her bachelors’ degree from Central Missouri State University and her master’s from the University of Missouri.
A. Richard (Dick) Olson
Dick enjoyed an interesting career with IBM Corp. He was an international marketing executive with a record of expansion of markets for IBM products in Asia and the South Pacific through agent sales channels. He was involved with product development of mid-range computer solutions, and played a key role in implementing the Japanese language (Kanji) on IBM computers.
When the opportunity arose, he took early retirement from IBM and moved to Singapore as Managing Director of a computer solutions company. He moved to Vietnam when the US lifted its embargo and established a consulting company to enable clients to enter that market.
He has served on the board and as treasurer of Mill City Commons in Minneapolis, a villages approach to community building for older urbanites. Ecumen helped shape Mill City Commons and serves as its strategic partner. His board service also included two terms as president of Sawgrass Association Inc., which managed a large retirement development in Florida. He is currently an active participant in startup businesses in the Midwest.
Dick has a BA in mathematics from Luther College and a Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. He taught mathematics for two years before joining IBM.
John Petraborg
John Petraborg brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Mr. Petraborg is recently retired from Hewlett Packard (HP). At HP, he was the Client Industry Executive responsible for the development of health and human services solutions for HP’s State and Local government customers. Through his leadership of business transformation engagements with many government agencies in the US and abroad, he has focused on the use of innovation, application of best practice, and deployment of technology to restructure government health and human services.
In addition to many roles in government, Mr. Petraborg served as Commissioner (Acting) of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the state’s largest agency. Mr. Petraborg pioneered innovative policies for health care, welfare reform, children’s services, and child support. He led the successful business re-design and system development for several Minnesota programs.
Mr. Petraborg received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, the Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Children’s Champion Award from Children’s Defense Fund. He served as national President of the Quality Control Directors Association. He recently served as Chairman of the Human Services IT Advisory Group of Tech America, the leading technology trade association in the US.
Anne Simpson
Anne spent 18 years as a caregiver for her husband, Reverend Robert Simpson, who died in July 2011. Moving three times to get the care he needed, she became actively concerned about housing options for seniors.
During the first years of his disease, she and Bob wrote a book together: Through the Wilderness of Alzheimer’s: A Guide in Two Voices ( Augsburg Fortress, 1999). She has subsequently published a book of poems, Growing Down: Poems for an Alzheimer’s Patient and mounted an exhibit called “I’m Still Here” with Laura Crosby, pairing her poems with Laura’s photographs. Anne has written a curriculum for churches to encourage their support and inclusion of both dementia patients and caregivers; it will be published this spring.
Before she was a caregiver, Anne was a writer, a sheep farmer and a Christian educator. She holds a lay diploma from United Theological Seminary.
Darrell Tukua
Darrell currently serves as a member of several corporate boards of directors including Capella Education Company, Constellation, and Gate City Bank. He is a retired partner of KPMG LLP, a global provider of audit, tax, and advisory services. Darrell has served on the boards of numerous not-for-profit organizations. In addition to serving on the board of trustees of Ecumen, Darrell currently serves on the board of the National Association of Corporate Directors Minnesota Chapter and as a non-board member of the Finance Committee of Allina Health.
He is the past board chair of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In addition to Catholic Charities, Darrell previously served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, Vail Place, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Washburn Center for Children, and West Hennepin Counseling Services.
Darrell graduated from the University of South Dakota with a B.S. in Accounting.
Join Mary Furlong, Ecumen, AARP and Others Shaping "What's Next" in Chicago March 12
Dr. Mary Furlong is one of those people who sees the future and opportunities where others see problems and challenges. It's her vision that led to the development of SeniorNet a quarter century ago, bringing foundations, Apple, IBM, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and others to bring computer access to more than a million underserved Americans.
If you want to join with Mary, Ecumen, tech trend watcher Lauri Orlov, MetLife, AARP and many others working to shape the future of aging and innovation, sign up for the 2013 What's Next Boomer Business Summit. Ecumen will be participating in a panel discussion on the future of Alzheimer's care and sharing insights from our Awakenings program to reduce the unnecessary use of antipsychotic medications in dementia care.
Ecumen Participaing in Twin Cities Panel Discussion Wed. on Long-Term Care Financing Innovation
Citizens League's Capitol Solutions Twin Cities Breakfast Series: Long-term care Financing Event
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Doors 7:30 a.m. | Program 8-9:30 a.m.
Minnesota History Center
345 Kellogg Blvd West, St. Paul
Cost $5 for members, $15 for nonmembers
Coffee and pastries provided
Register now
At age 65, a person has a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care in their future years - at an average cost of $48,000.
The default financing source has become Medicaid, which provides publicly funded health care for those in poverty. But the growing number of people turning to Medicaid is creating a crisis in public funding. In short, we face an unprecedented set of enormous costs that we have not prepared for, either individually or publicly. Medicaid as the fallback is unsustainable.
This is a multi-generational issue, a quality of life issue, and a fiscal security issue.
Join the Citizens League and Ecumen to learn about the problem; the steps Minnesotan businesses, government, and citizens need to take to solve it; and what can be done this legislative session.
Check out the full Citizens League Capitol Solutions legislative event series lineup, and learn how you can help.
Thanks to Comcast for sponsoring this event series.
Secrets to 75 Years of Marriage and a Final Goodbye on Valentine's Day
A 75-year love story will forever change today. Clifford and Mildred Bjerke of Moorhead, Minn., married in the 1930s and raised a fun-loving family based on their simple ideals of love, family and hard work. Not uncommon in those days, but few are able to reach the 75 year milestone.
The grandparents of one of my best friends, I’ve witnessed the legacy Clifford and Mildred created – generations of Bjerkes who carry on the “spunk” that kept Clifford on his toes and the hard work that held their family together. Their daughter, at age 70, makes me laugh out loud at her stories and admire her funky new haircut and bright red dress. Their granddaughter, my friend, is not only the life of the party, but also works long, emotional hours as a neonatal nurse practitioner.
It’s both heart-warming and heart-breaking that Clifford and his family say goodbye and lay Mildred to rest today, Valentine’s Day 2013, just days after sharing their love story with The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. It’s my honor to pass along Clifford and Mildred Bjerke’s secrets of 75 years of marriage.
When Will You Retire?
I know I won’t work as long as Pope Benedict or Minneapolis Star Tribune sports columnist Sid Hartman or Lynne Lunna, the long-time River Room hostess in Saint Paul. Lunna passed away in 2008, after a 75-year career. (Despite our 50-something year age difference, I’m pretty sure Sid can lap me right now.)
Where do you see yourself? Will you work forever, retire at 65 or earlier, or will you be in a new combo of work in your older years? Why? If you're retired now, are you working? Do you enjoy it? Read more here and share your thoughts.
Ecumen Initiative to Reduce Antipsychotics in Dementia Care Receives Aging Services of Minnesota Innovation Award
Ecumen has received Aging Services of Minnesota's Leading Change Innovation Award. The award recognizes Ecumen Awakenings, our program to reduce the use of unnecessary antipsychotic and other medications for residents with dementia.
About a third of all residents in nursing homes are prescribed such drugs. In some cases these drugs are helpful in helping calm disruptive behaviors often related to Alzheimer’s. In other cases, they make them worse or cause the person to live in a zombie-like state. When prescribed for residents who do not have a behavioral diagnosis, they may contribute to a lower quality of life in addition to posing significant health risks.
In 2012, fifteen of Ecumen’s care centers were awarded a three-year Performance Based Initiative Program (PIPP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life of care center residents by re-examining and improving the quality of care. Awakenings is an integrated approach focusing on mind, body and spirit that incorporates the involvement of residents and family members, rehabilitative nursing, specialized training on communication and relationship building with residents, and collaboration with psychology, psychiatry and pharmacy professionals.
The result is a comprehensive, holistic approach to improving residents’ quality of life – literally “awakening” a number of patients who have been sedated, lethargic, or experiencing decreased physical and cognitive functioning due to inappropriate use of antipsychotics, hypnotics, anti-anxiety, and other medications.
Since its implementation, the program has met and exceeded all of its formal PIPP outcome goals. In a one-year period nearly 700 psychotropic medications have been either discontinued or decreased among people served in the Awakenings program. Among the dramatic stories of resident “awakenings” is the following example, as told by the center’s Resident Care Coordinator:
One woman, who was non-verbal since her arrival, was on Risperdal and Ativan. Her primary physician was willing to attempt weaning her off of these meds at the request of our nursing staff, and she was eventually weaned off of both drugs. This woman speaks again. She is able to engage with her daughters who visit frequently, and who have said, ‘What a gift you have given our family.’” The woman was initially given these medications as an adjunct therapy for pain management. When she started speaking again I asked her if she still had pain when on Ativan. She stated ‘yes.’ I asked her, ‘You just couldn’t talk?’ She said ‘yes.’
About Aging Services of Minnesota
Aging Services of Minnesota is Minnesota's largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors. Its mission is simple – to improve the lives of Minnesota seniors and families by leading change and innovation in the field of older adult services.
Its membership encompasses over 1,000 organizations across Minnesota. Together, it works with over 50,000 caregivers and serves more than 125,000 seniors each year in all of the places they call home, including senior housing communities, assisted living and care centers.
Aging Services members are diverse but share a common focus on person-directed living, missions of service to their communities and choice in older adult services. Aging Services is the state partner of LeadingAge and the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).
Ecumen receives $3 million Margaret A. Cargill Foundation grant
SHOREVIEW, Minn. (February 5, 2013) – Ecumen, a non-profit that provides senior housing and services across Minnesota and nationally, announced today it has received a $3 million grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation.
The grant will help transform a longstanding nursing home at Ecumen Detroit Lakes into a one-stop aging services hub that improves and expands service access for seniors in rural Becker County, Minnesota. The goal is to develop a replicable model that maximizes existing community infrastructure, integrates technology, and combines services in one location to help seniors remain healthfully independent in rural America.
Rural America Larger Than Most Nations
If rural America were a country, its population of 50 million would be larger than nearly all of the world’s nations. Rural America’s fastest growing population cohort is people 65-plus. Seniors make up 15 percent of the country’s rural populace, with the proportion of seniors greater in rural areas than metropolitan areas. Overall, rural residents have proportionately more chronic conditions than their urban counterparts, but obtaining services that can help a person remain independent can be difficult in rural areas, especially for seniors, many of whom live alone.
“We are honored by this opportunity to carry out Margaret A. Cargill’s philanthropic vision, especially as it relates to transforming aging services and serving unmet needs,” said Kathryn Roberts, president and CEO of Ecumen. “Our goal is to help keep people healthier and out of the nursing home and hospital. This initiative will take a whole-person approach and create a community hub that helps integrate technology, socialization, fitness, nutrition and health care. Society has long looked at aging as a challenge. We believe growing older represents one of our country’s great innovation opportunities.”
Ecumen has commenced design work on the new center on the Ecumen Detroit Lakes campus, which includes a mix of housing and services for seniors. Construction is anticipated to begin in the Spring and conclude in 2014. Components will include:
- A telehealth center for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to conduct patient consultations
- Thirty private rehabilitation suites for short-term stays, so area residents can rehabilitate after illness or surgery and then return home
- A warm-water pool for exercise classes and physical therapy.
- State-of-the art occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy areas
- A fitness center with anaerobic and aerobic equipment, which can accommodate all strength levels
- A labyrinth area for meditation, prayer and reflection
- An internet café, library and classrooms for health workshops, classes and other social and educational opportunities
- A salon
- A dining area for up to 40 people
In most rural areas this mix of services doesn’t exist or is geographically scattered. A hub approach opens the door to making other community resources more accessible. For example, it can provide area physicians a partner in physical therapy, and care and patient health monitoring to better coordinate health information; transportation approaches can be focused on a single destination; and it can help better define and coordinate acute care and non-acute care services in the larger community.
Ecumen (ecumen.org), which is based in Shoreview, Minn., is the most innovative leader of senior housing and services, empowering people to live better, easier and more fun lives. Its mission is to create home for older adults wherever they choose to live. Ecumen envisions a world in which aging is viewed and understood in radically different ways. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal has identified Ecumen as one of Minnesota’s “Best Places to Work”, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune named Ecumen as one of Minnesota’s “Top 100 Workplaces”.
What You Can Expect From a Great Assisted Living Community
By Carol O'Dell, Caring.com contributing editor
Last updated: January 16, 2013
How will you find a good assisted living community for yourself or your loved one? A place that's affordable and safe, with excellent care, warm surroundings, and a friendly staff?
With more than 31,000 senior care facilities across the country, the good news is that there are lots of choices. The less-than-good news is that there are lots of choices! How do you begin your search? What do you look for -- and how do you know when you've found it?
Assisted living facilities have much to offer the aging population. From yoga classes to nature trails, movie nights to computer and painting classes, seniors will find something that entices them out of their apartments and into the many gathering places most facilities provide.
But it's not the indoor heated pools or fitness rooms that make for a good assisted living community -- it's when your loved one knows she belongs. It's when a staff member notices that something just isn't right and your loved one receives prompt attention. It's when other residents smile when they see her step into the dining room, or when you, the family member, know you can stop by at any time.
From coast to coast, in big cities and small towns and everything in between, there are some assisted living communities that truly shine. These are establishments that have inspired top-notch reviews from residents, experts, and families just like yours. These are the best of the best -- the Caring Stars of 2013.
Even though these providers are all over the country, it turns out that they have some important things in common. Here, we present five trends among Caring Star winners -- qualities that communities near you should have, too.
1. A clean, safe place where needs (big and small) are addressed promptly: "I feel heard."
Making sure your loved one is safe and receives prompt attention trumps the list. The best communities draw top-quality staff and keep communication open. In the words of one caregiver, they're "easy to contact and never hesitate to call if something needs to be discussed."
It's when everyone -- the director, the kitchen staff, the care aides and nurses -- goes out of their way and takes the time to do the little things that matter so much. Places where food requests are accommodated or that have “a chef who knows how to make the food sing.” Places where, as one family member said, the staff is "considerate and dependable, no matter when I call."
2. Homey touches: "It feels like home."
No one wants to feel like they're living in a hospital, and they don't have to. Assisted living communities have come a long way. They feature special touches, such as manicured grounds with flower beds, gazebos and ponds, inviting décor, and "spacious, well-maintained living spaces." Where living spaces reflect residents' personalities -- like the community where "residents had several of their personal belongings displayed, such as photographs and figurines." "Placing a loved one here will help me sleep at night," one visitor said of a two-time five-star community in his area.
3. A trustworthy staff and active residents: "It feels like family."
Trusting that your loved one is receiving good care is vital, and there's nothing like being greeted by name. These are the places where "you can feel the love when you walk in the door." It's also important that your loved one find new friendships. "Several residents stopped and talked to us. It was nice to know that my grandma wouldn't have a problem meeting people" is how one granddaughter expressed it.
4. Great amenities: "I feel like I'm on vacation."
You're in for treat when it comes to amenities. Assisted living communities now offer video, audio, and book libraries; computer rooms; and classes on everything from digital photography to scrapbooking. If you're into fitness, you can swim, golf, and even take a "laughing yoga" class. And don't think you're stuck in one place: After visiting a friend at her community, one reader said, "We walked the trails that lead to the park in the back. We ate lunch in the dining area (food was great) . . . then took the facility bus ride half a mile down to the mall for shopping."
You're likely to find whatever you're interested in, whether it's church services; game nights; a 24-hour café offering beverages and light snacks; or easy access to nearby shopping, museums, music venues, and restaurants.
5. Family-friendly atmosphere: "I feel like my family and friends are always welcome."
It's tough to place your loved one in a care community, so finding one that's family-friendly helps assure you that your loved one will stay connected. "Family involvement is encouraged, and there are special family nights several times during the year, with live music, festive decorations, and a beautiful buffet," one family member said of her experience with a loved one's assisted living community. Life is sweeter when you're able to invite a friend for lunch, and when your grandchildren and even the great-grands get to visit often. Some assisted living facilities send out invitations to special events and celebrations; you can even reserve a room for birthdays and other important gatherings.
Before choosing an assisted living community, gather as much information as you can. Be sure to go online and see if there are Caring Stars in your area, and read reviews for other communities as well. Then schedule a few tours of your top selections. Print out a copy of the Caring Checklist for evaluating assisted living providers so you can make notes as you go.
While you're there, talk to the staff (include a chat with someone from the kitchen staff, care aides, the activities director, and others) and be sure to meet a few residents and their visitors. Ask for a chance to enjoy a meal in the dining hall.
And, above all else, don't hesitate to ask each community: "How many of these Caring Stars trends are you getting right?"