Latest News

Shoreview, Minn. (July 15, 2024) — During a time of life when many people fear having independence taken away, Ecumen is helping older adults pursue their passions and use their skills. As part of a new initiative, Ecumen North Branch, Ecumen Pathstone, and Ecumen Detroit Lakes are implementing an innovative program based on the “Montessori method,” emphasizing residents’ interests and abilities rather than their limitations.

Developed by an Italian doctor in 1907, the Montessori method has been used around the world to create student-led learning environments that give children the freedom to choose activities that fuel their curiosity and passions. In recent years, the Montessori method has shown promise in helping older individuals develop similar ownership and joy in the activities they pursue.

This new initiative builds on Ecumen’s award-winning Awakenings care-giving model, which focuses on individual needs to support the highest quality of life. Adding a Montessori framework to this model is giving Ecumen team members new tools and resources to help residents find meaning and purpose in their everyday lives.

Ecumen is receiving support for this effort through a Performance-Based Initiative Program (PIPP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). As part of this grant, Ecumen will measure the impact of this approach on residents and their families, as well as on team member satisfaction, with the hope of transforming dementia care across the country.

COVID contributed to more idle time among those living with dementia, fewer opportunities to engage in meaningful activities, and confusion due to safety protocols such as masking. That led to functional and mobility dependence for some. Adding the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle (MIL) approach to Ecumen’s Awakenings is aimed at reversing this trend and improving the lives of residents.

Montessori techniques emphasize collaboration, shifting the focus from, “How do we need to care for this person?” to “How can we help them have a meaningful, purposeful day?” Whether it’s tapping into a passion for art or cooking, or allowing people to take on tasks that help others, this philosophy is guided by the residents and what is meaningful to them.

The certification of these programs to implement an MIL approach to care includes an innovative collaboration with the Center for Applied Research in Dementia (CARD), Accelerated Care Plus (ACP), and local non-profit COMPAS Arts.

Just months into the grant-funded program, residents are already experiencing improved quality of life. They are spending more time outdoors and interacting with others as Awakenings is fostering new and innovative paths for engagement. Gardening clubs, movie nights, and community service projects are just some of the resident-driven activities that are providing a renewed sense of ownership and purpose. The initiative is also improving engagement and job satisfaction for Ecumen team members, giving them the tools to deliver the best possible care.

In the coming months, Ecumen will share some of the stories of residents who are benefiting from Awakenings with this new approach. We will also highlight some of the caregivers who are leading this change, helping residents pursue their interests. The experiences and results of this effort will be compiled as part of a report to measure the impact of the Montessori approach and to hopefully serve as a guide for other dementia care providers.

SHOREVIEW, MN (June 5, 2024) — Ecumen Centennial House, Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood, Ecumen Prairie Lodge, Ecumen Lakeshore and Ecumen North Branch have been recognized as 2024 recipients of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for their commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program honors providers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of care for our nation’s older adults and individuals with disabilities.

“We are deeply honored by these recognitions, which showcases the dedication and commitment of our exceptional teams,” said Shelley Kendrick, president and CEO of Ecumen. “All four of these Ecumen communities exemplify our mission and vision in action, and this distinction reaffirms what our residents and team members already know: Ecumen is fantastic place to live and work.”

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process that is reviewed and evaluated by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards for organizational excellence. The standards of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program help organizations achieve superior performance over time to improve quality of life and care of long-term care residents and staff.

Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision, mission statement, understanding of key customers, and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a sustainable performance improvement system. Trained examiners review each application to determine if a center has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality award, Ecumen Lakeshore may now move forward to the Silver – Achievement in Quality award criteria.

“This achievement reflects each provider’s dedication to continuous improvement,” said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair. “It is an honor to recognize their hard work and commitment to enhancing the quality of care and service as they continue this rewarding journey.”

The awards will be presented during Delivering Solutions 24, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 6-9, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

Ecumen announced that Tina Palmer has joined its leadership team as Senior Vice President & Chief Mission Advancement Officer. Palmer joins Ecumen with decades of experience in fundraising with local, regional and national nonprofit organizations. She most recently served as senior development officer at Fairview Foundation/University of Minnesota Foundation. Prior to that role, she led fundraising efforts for Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis as vice president of development.

“Tina brings a track record of success to Ecumen,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen’s president & CEO. “With the challenges our industry has faced over the past several years, it’s more important than ever to continue to build and steward the generous donations that help power our mission of serving older adults. Tina will be a key part of that work and I’m delighted to welcome her to the team.”

Palmer received her bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and her Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University.

St. Croix Falls, Wis. (Mar. 27, 2024) — Ecumen is excited to share that Forest Heights Apartments and River Town Heights Apartments are now Ecumen-owned communities, effective March 22, 2024.

Since November 2020, Ecumen – a nonprofit provider and operator of housing, health care and services for older adults – assumed the management of Forest Heights, a 30-unit Housing and Urban Development (HUD) affordable housing community and River Town Heights, a 25-unit HUD affordable senior living community on behalf of St. Croix Health.

Ecumen has been working with HUD and the leadership of St. Croix Health to complete this transition for the past 15 months.

“We have been delighted with how this transition from St. Croix Health to Ecumen has been,” said Sandy Bowman, Forest Heights and River Town Heights housing manager. “Our communities are looking forward to being part of Ecumen, which is known for quality and innovative services. We’re grateful to have Ecumen officially a part of the St. Croix community.”

For more information about Forest Heights or River Town Heights, please call 715-557-0559 or visit  ecumen.org/river-town-heights-st-croix-falls-wi and  ecumen.org/forest-heights-st-croix-falls-wi.

Edina, Minn. (Mar. 13, 2024) — Forty-Forty Flats, a new Ecumen-owned affordable independent senior living community located in Edina, Minn., has been nominated for the 2024 Senior Housing-Suburban West award from Minnesota Real Estate Journals. The Real Estate Journals Commercial Real Estate Awards celebrates the accomplishments and noteworthy moments across various segments of the commercial real estate sector. The awards program will be presented on April 18.

Forty-Forty Flats welcomed its first residents at the end of October in 2023, and is conveniently located within walking distance of retail, restaurants, movie theater and medical offices.

“Forty-Forty Flats represents a community that combines affordable living with high-end amenities and is integral to our mission and vision – ensuring that every older adult has a home with innovative services to live the life they choose,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen president & CEO. “It’s an honor not only to be recognized by Minnesota Real Estate Journals as a finalist, but also that so many people are choosing to call Forty-Forty Flats home.”

For more information about Forty-Forty Flats call 952-232-0001 or visit  ecumen.org/forty-forty-flats/.

Among the many varieties of trees surrounding The Eloise at Wirth on the Woods are thousands of trees that were planted decades ago by students from St. Margaret’s Academy (now Anwatin Middle School). One of those students was Rita M., who along with her classmates in the first sophomore class at St. Margaret’s, dug holes and planted saplings all around the school near the 759-acre Theodore Wirth Regional Park.

Today, she looks out at those trees from her home at The Eloise. “I love my view, and I love the woods,” Rita said of the new 55-plus community in Minneapolis.

For most of her life, Bryn Mawr has been home for Rita. Having grown up in the charming Bryn Mawr neighborhood, she has memories of walking to Pearl & Arnie’s ice cream shop (where Cuppa Java is today) and Christensen’s Grocery Store. Now, back in the neighborhood she loves so much, Rita takes walks around the parks and trails.

“I’m so glad to be back,” she said. “It’s close to everything, and I feel at home here. Being back in Bryn Mawr is the key thing for me.”

The Eloise is a 100-unit community nestled among those trees Rita planted many years ago — steps from Theodore Wirth Park and minutes from downtown Minneapolis. In addition to being surrounded by nature, yet close to the city, the building itself features thoughtful details and many amenities. “The décor is marvelous,” Rita said. “They’ve done a great job creating a lovely environment.”

Learn more at TheEloiseApts.com.

Ecumen’s Senior Vice President, Chief Ecosystem & Operations Officer, Brett Anderson, was named to the 2024 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list.

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal selects 40 Twin Cities leaders who are under the age of 40 to honor and celebrate their professional accomplishments, involvement within their communities and industry leadership.

Brett leads Ecumen’s integrated clinical, innovation and operations areas, driving holistic leading-edge solutions for health and societal challenges in our communities. Brett joined Ecumen in 2014 first as a graduate school intern and then Clinical Director. Prior to his current role, he served as VP of Health and Clinical Services.

Over the past year, Brett has led bold strategic initiatives at Ecumen that have put the organization in a strong position at a time when the senior care industry faces myriad challenges. Most notably is his leadership in shepherding the ownership of St. Benedict’s Community from CentraCare to Ecumen, which closed mid-December. This is an important milestone in Ecumen’s more than 160-year history and marks a unique partnership between Catholic and Lutheran-based organizations to provide care and services to even more Minnesotans.

Brett is a Registered Nurse, a Public Health Nurse and board-certified Nurse Executive. Brett’s quick ascent from intern to senior executive was due, not only to his leadership skills, but also his commitment to providing clients the highest quality health care, and for his vision for what the future of senior care looks like – in Minnesota and beyond.

Brett is a strong advocate for those Ecumen serves and for those in caregiving fields. He uses his platform as an industry leader to give voice to others on the state and national level. Brett focuses on finding ways to solve the biggest challenges in the senior care industry.

The transition of St. Benedict’s Community in St. Cloud, Monticello and Sartell from CentraCare to Ecumen is now complete. The two organizations finalized the sale of the senior living communities on Friday, Dec. 15.

“It’s an honor to now be a part of these communities and to build on St. Benedict’s Community’s legacy of care and service,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen president and CEO. “This is an important milestone in our more than 160-year history.”

The transition stemmed from CentraCare’s vision for its long-term care and senior housing services in the greater St. Cloud region. As it searched for an organization that could provide the best future care options for residents, CentraCare chose Ecumen because of its outstanding reputation, and Ecumen’s commitment to the tradition of the St. Benedict’s Community.

“This change in strategy transfers ownership to an exceptional organization specializing in senior services and it opens the door for even more services and support for residents, families and staff,” Ken Holmen, MD president and CEO of CentraCare said. “This also allows CentraCare to maintain a focus on the primary and specialty care we deliver as a health care organization.”

Ecumen — a nonprofit provider, developer and operator of living spaces and innovative services for older adults — owns 31 senior living communities throughout Minnesota and serves more than 20,000 people annually. “We’re pleased that our expertise and commitment to compassionate care will help ensure the long-term success of senior living services in the region today and into the future,” Kendrick said.

The sale includes St. Cloud St. Benedict’s Community, Monticello St Benedict’s Community, Chateau Waters in Sartell, Minn., and Sartell Therapy Suites. More than 300 team members have now joined Ecumen.

Two of Twin Cities’ newest affordable housing communities for older adults — The Theodore at Wirth on the Woods, and Forty-Forty Flats — have begun welcoming their first residents . Interest continues to grow in both the Bryn Mawr neighborhood and Edina senior communities.

“We continue to be very busy giving tours and educating the community on what we have to offer every day,” said Alex Stolis, The Theodore’s Housing Manager. “It’s clear there’s a real need for high-quality affordable housing for older adults in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood, and it’s exciting to see residents moving in and truly making this community feel like home.”

“Edina is a city that will offer so much activity and vibrancy for the new residents who will call Forty-Forty Flats home,” said Jen Massa, Forty-Forty Flats Housing Manager. “We have been very busy with inquiries and tours; we know that this community will be a wonderful addition to the growing city!”

The Theodore, an Ecumen-managed living space, developed and owned by Lupe Development Partners, and Forty-Forty Flats, developed and owned by Lupe Development Partners and Ecumen, offer many amenities such as a fitness studio, club and community room and underground parking. Both communities are managed by Ecumen, one of the leading senior care and service providers in the country.

The Theodore and Forty-Forty Flats have designed apartments in 15 different floor plans that are available to qualifying seniors, 55 and older. The Theodore welcomes individuals earning 30-50 percent of the Hennepin County Area Median Income (AMI), and Forty-Forty Flats welcomes those earning 30-80 percent of Hennepin County AMI.

“Creating affordable living spaces for older adults is a growing need throughout Minnesota,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen president and CEO. “As a nonprofit that’s been serving communities for more than 160 years, we take action when we see those needs. It’s a pleasure to welcome the first residents to these beautiful communities.”

Those interested in scheduling a visit or learning more about The Theodore at Wirth on the Woods, can visit thetheodoreapts.com or call 612-255-9705. For information about Forty-Forty Flats, visit ecumen.org/forty-forty-flats or call 952-232-0001.

CentraCare and Ecumen today announced the transition of the CentraCare — St. Benedict’s Community in St. Cloud, Monticello and Sartell to Ecumen, a nonprofit leader of senior housing and care services. Last fall, CentraCare shared a new vision for long-term care and senior housing services in the greater St. Cloud region.

“As we sought a new owner to ensure a strong future for St. Benedict’s long-term care and senior housing, we looked for an organization that shared our values for delivering compassionate and exceptional care to seniors,” said Ken Holmen, MD, CentraCare president and CEO. “Not only did we find that in Ecumen, but we also found a faith-based nonprofit that has a profound respect for St. Benedict’s Catholic identity and dedication to preserving and upholding its high standards and faith-based traditions. We’re so grateful for all the stakeholders involved in this process, including the St. Benedict’s Advisory Board, the office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, The Prioress of the Saint Benedict’s Monastery, the Corporate Members, as well as the St. Cloud Hospital Advisory Board and the CentraCare Board.”

Ecumen — a nonprofit provider, developer and operator of living spaces and innovative services for older adults — owns 31 senior living communities throughout Minnesota and serves more than 27,000 people annually.

“Since our founding in 1862, our faith-based mission has guided our service to individuals and their families,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen president and CEO. “We couldn’t be happier that we are bringing that mission of providing compassionate health care and innovative services to the greater St. Cloud area. We are eager to get to know the team members and residents here, and to be part of this already vibrant community.”

I feel very confident that Ecumen will provide the best possible service to residents in St. Cloud, Monticello and Sartell, and that they will work to ensure that our Catholic identity and Benedictine heritage are maintained,” said Sister Karen Rose, Prioress, Saint Benedict’s Monastery. “I am happy to have the opportunity to partner with a faith-based organization, which has such high standards of care.”

Both organizations recognize the important role that health care plays in keeping rural communities vibrant. This shared understanding and collaboration will help ensure the long-term success of senior living services in the region today and into the future.

“We believe this change in strategy that transfers ownership to an exceptional organization that specializes in senior services will open the door for even more services and support for residents, families and staff,” Holmen said. “This also allows CentraCare to maintain a focus on the primary and specialty care we deliver as a health care organization.”

As part of the transfer of ownership process, a Letter of Intent (LOI) has been signed and formal purchase agreement is almost final, with a goal that CentraCare — St. Benedict’s Community will join Ecumen by late 2023. Upon finalization of the sale, current CentraCare — St. Benedict’s positions will transition to new Ecumen ownership.

About CentraCare 

CentraCare is an integrated, not-for-profit health care organization, working to improve the lives and wellbeing of those living in Central, Southwest and West Central Minnesota. CentraCare provides care through hospitals located in St. Cloud, Benson, Long Prairie, Melrose, Monticello, Paynesville, Redwood Falls, Sauk Centre and Willmar and provides both primary and specialty care throughout the region. With a focus on rural health care, CentraCare is one of the largest health systems in Minnesota and is proud to provide expert health care locally. Learn more at centracare.com.