World's Oldest Twin Brothers Offer Advice on Wine, Women and Living Long
Belgians Pieter and Paulus Langerock have been best friends for 102 years. The twin brothers, born on July 8 1913, have been inseparable since birth and rarely spend time apart, and even share the same room at their retirement home outside the Belgian town of Ghent.
Ecumen Bethany Community Gets Medicare’s Highest 5-Star Quality Rating
The Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria, Minn., has received the highest possible overall quality rating of 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).
The quality rating system ranges from 1 to 5 stars, with a 5-star rating given to nursing homes that offer exceptional care to their residents. The Five-Star Quality Rating System is based on health inspections, staffing data (the number of hours of care provided to each resident by nursing staff), and quality measures (how well a nursing home cares for residents’ physical and clinical needs).
The Ecumen Bethany Community is the only care center in an almost 25-mile radius to receive 5 Stars.
“It is a major achievement to receive the 5-Star Quality Rating,” said David Uselman, Executive Director of the Ecumen Bethany Community. “The rating is expert validation of the exceptional care we provide. This is one of the highest compliments our outstanding staff can receive.”
CMS created the rating system to provide residents and their families with an easy way to understand and compare quality and simplify decisions around choosing a care center. All nursing homes nationwide are rated annually. Five stars is considered “much above average” and only a quarter of care centers in Minnesota received this rating. The CMS Nursing Home Compare website is at this link.
The Ecumen Bethany Community, located at 1020 Lark Street, Alexandria, has been serving seniors in the Alexandria area for more than 97 years. In addition to providing nursing home and short-stay rehabilitation care, Ecumen Bethany also offers adult day services, assisted living, memory care, independent living and home care. For more information call 320-762-1567 or visit www.ecumenbethany.org.
Ecumen Blogger Jim Klobuchar Recognized for His Role in Minnesota’s Biking Craze
Readers of the Changing Aging blog probably know that our renowned blogger Jim Klobuchar is a bike enthusiast. But there’s a lot more to the story.
Pioneer Press Story Focuses on Services to Keep Seniors in Their Homes
Most seniors want to stay in their own homes, but often they need assistance to make that happen. Increasingly, home care services and community programs are becoming widely available, but connecting seniors with the services they need can be challenging.
Top 5 Blog Posts — Aug. 10
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Ecumen’s Velocity Leadership Program Graduates Class of 2015
The Ecumen Velocity class of 2015 has just graduated from the year-long program focused on building leadership skills and developing innovative approaches to aging services.
89-Year-Old Grandmother Stole the Show as a Bridesmaid
When thinking of who she wanted to stand with her on her wedding day, Christine Quinn said it was a no-brainer to ask her 89-year-old grandmother, who she considers to be one of her closest friends. Nana Betty stole the show and danced the night away.
TED Talk: Lessons from a Hospice Nurse
Alia Indrawan shares the inspiring lessons she has learned from her time as a Hospice Nurse, helping people with terminal illnesses to die gracefully and in peace.
The Triple-Digit Club: Meet 5 Centenarians Who Don't Act Their Age
These five centenarians are not acting their age, regularly doing activities that push against the stereotypes of people over 100.
Luther Park at Sandpoint, Idaho, Voted Best Senior Living Community
Ecumen-managed Luther Park at Sandpoint, ID, has been voted the “best senior living facility” in Bonner County in a reader survey conducted by the Bonner County Daily Bee newspaper.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
A Geriatric Doc and an Anti-Aging Doc Tangle Over How To Treat Wrinkles
Dr. Bill Thomas, an international expert on geriatric medicine, was repulsed by another physician’s website promoting cosmetic treatments to ward off the signs of aging. And he said so.
The Growing Realization That Older People Are at the Height of Creativity
Those who think older people can’t be creative are “Wrong. Deeply wrong,” writes prominent journalist Chris Farrell.
89-Year-Old Grandmother Stole the Show as a Bridesmaid
When thinking of who she wanted to stand with her on her wedding day, Christina Quinn said it was a no-brainer to ask her 89-year-old grandmother, who she considers to be one of her closest friends.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 101st Birthday Eva Nielsen
Ecumen honors Eva Nielsen, a resident of Ecumen Parmly LifePointes, who is 101.
Ecumen’s Velocity Leadership Program Graduates Class of 2015
The Ecumen Velocity class of 2015 has just graduated from the year-long program focused on building leadership skills and developing innovative approaches to aging services.