Ecumen Century Club: Happy 106th Birthday Verna Bloom
Everybody wants to know Verna Bloom’s secret. She’ll tell you being 106 years old “surprises” her because she has no big secrets to longevity — except maybe a positive attitude.
“Every day is a gift from God,” Verna is fond of saying. 
The staff at Ecumen-managed Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, Minn., where Verna lives, has some insight into her longevity. They say she is always smiling and always thinking about and caring for others.
Randi Handegaard, the activity director at Sunnyside, says Verna participates in all the community events at Sunnyside and is interested in everything around her. “She has held the bowling ‘ traveling trophy’ several weeks in a row,” Randi says, “and she continues to crochet and participates in the house writer’s guild.”
Verna was born on a farm near Audubon, Minn., in Becker County, March 22, 1910, and was one of eight children. Growing up, she milked cows and worked around the family farm.
Verna met her husband Willard, nicknamed “Chubby,” when she was 22. He would come to Lake Park on his motorcycle and take her on rides. When she was 24 they got married and had two children.
She and Willard owned a hardware store in Lake Park, where she was the manager. She also cut and styled hair for many years and enjoyed playing the piano.
When she was in her 70s, after Willard died, she would go to Chicago for extended periods to babysit for her grandchildren, who gave her the nickname “Big V.” She is very proud of her family.
Verna stays active crocheting baby blankets for her great-great grandkids, and she never misses a Friday Bingo game. And she is always smiling.
Ecumen honors Verna Bloom. Happy 106th Birthday.
Top 5 Blog Posts — March 21, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Grace Larson
Ecumen honors Grace Larson, a resident of Clarkfield Care Center, who is 100.
In Memoriam: Chuck Zimmerman, Who Devoted His Life To Caring for Others
Chuck Zimmerman, who died March 7, 2016, retired from Ecumen a year ago after 35 years of distinguished service as an administrator of three of our campuses, a regional director and purchasing director. He always had a warm smile and a kind word — and made a huge difference in the lives of seniors.
Ecumen CIO Larry Jorgensen Named to National Commission on Aging Services Technology
Larry Jorgensen, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Ecumen, has been named a Commissioner for The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST). CAST is the technology arm of LeadingAge, a national association of 6,000+ not-for-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Honors Ecumen’s Dena Meyer with “40 Under 40” Recognition
Dena Meyer, Ecumen Senior Director of Business Development, received the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honor and was recognized at a March 10 event at A’BULAE in St. Paul.
Ecumen Offering Scholarships to Direct Care Employees Under New State Funding Program
Ecumen has received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health for scholarships to fund training for Ecumen direct care employees in Home Care, Assisted Living and Adult Day Services.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
An Action Plan for Living to 100
So you want to live to be a 100. What’s your plan?
The Stanford Center on Longevity (SCL) can help with research-based action items to get you to the 100 mark — a milestone that more than three quarters of American say they would like to achieve.
SCL’s Sightlines Project identified three areas that are critical to well-being as people age: financial security, healthy living and social engagement. In each area, SCL identifies nine specific action steps people can take to improve their chances.
The SCL recommendations are based on reviews of eight national, multi-year studies of more than 1.2 American over two decades.
Steven Vernon, an SCL research scholar, offers a concise summary of the Sightlines Project at this link.
Good luck!
Ecumen Scholars Internship Program for MnSCU Student Nurses Accepting Applications Through April
The Ecumen Scholars Internship Program is accepting applications through April, 2016, from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) student nurses interested in working in senior health care.
To be eligible, student nurses must be enrolled in a MnSCU nursing program (baccalaureate or two-year associate degree nursing program) and have completed the fundamental nursing course; be preparing for RN or LPN licensure; and have a satisfactory academic record.
Interns will have the opportunity to job-shadow an experienced nursing professional, who will provide the support and guidance needed to grow professionally. The Ecumen Scholars Internship Program is designed to increase clinical and technical skills needed for senior care, develop organizational and interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, and provide mentorship.
“These internships give students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to a senior care setting,” said Jody Bloemke, the Ecumen Scholars Program Manager. “Interns practice hands-on care and develop clinical skills under the supervision of a nurse preceptor.”
Up to 100 internships will be available from May through August at the following Ecumen sites:
—Ecumen Bethany Community, Alexandria, MN
—Ecumen Detroit Lakes, Detroit Lakes, MN
—Ecumen Evergreens, Fargo, ND
—Ecumen Oaks & Pines, Hutchinson, MN
—Ecumen of Litchfield, Litchfield, MN
—Ecumen Pathstone Living, Mankato, MN
—Ecumen Evergreens, Moorhead, MN
—Ecumen North Branch, North Branch, MN
—Ecumen Scenic Shores, Two Harbors, MN
—Ecumen Meadows, Worthington, MN
Participants in the internship program who successfully complete all requirements will receive a $1,000 stipend. For more information and to apply go to www.EcumenScholars.org.
Annual Conference for People with Dementia and Their Caregivers Set for March 19
The annual “Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference” will be held March 19, 2016, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Saint Paul RiverCentre to inform and support people with dementia along with their family, friends and professional caregivers.
Ecumen CIO Larry Jorgensen Named to National Commission on Aging Services Technology
Larry Jorgensen, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Ecumen, has been named a Commissioner for The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST).
Top 5 Blog Posts — March 14, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
In Memoriam: Chuck Zimmerman, Who Devoted His Life To Caring for Others
Chuck Zimmerman, who died last Monday, retired from Ecumen a year ago after 35 years of distinguished service as an administrator of three of our campuses, a regional director and purchasing director. He always had a warm smile and a kind word — and made a huge difference in the lives of seniors.
Ecumen Moves Up on Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Senior Living Operators List
Ecumen ranks as the sixth largest senior living operator in the Twin Cities metro area, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s annual Senior Living Operators List — moving up from a seventh place ranking in 2015.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Honors Ecumen’s Dena Meyer with “40 Under 40” Recognition
Dena Meyer, Ecumen Senior Director of Business Development, received the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honor and was recognized at a March 10 event at A’BULAE in St. Paul.
Cat Therapy at Ecumen Detroit Lakes — Without the Cats
These therapy cats nuzzle, purr, meow, roll over, blink their eyes and go to sleep. But they never scratch or need a litter box. They are totally loveable and almost maintenance free — purr-fect for those who can’t take care of a live cat.
Ecumen Offering Scholarships to Direct Care Employees Under New State Funding Program
Ecumen has received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health for scholarships to fund training for Ecumen direct care employees in Home Care, Assisted Living and Adult Day Services.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Grace Larson
Ecumen honors Grace Larson, a resident of Clarkfield Care Center, who is 100.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Honors Ecumen’s Dena Meyer with “40 Under 40” Recognition
Each year the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal honors top Twin Cities leaders under 40 years old. Ecumen's Dena Meyer was recognized this year.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Helen Berger
Ecumen honors Helen Berger, a resident of Ecumen Le Center, who is 100.