Award-Winning Ecumen Communities Recognized at May Leadership Conference
Twenty-three Ecumen sites with outstanding achievements in 2013 were recognized at a presentation ceremony at the Leadership Conference held on May 6 in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Key areas of recognition were customer satisfaction, job satisfaction and stewardship. 
“The three key areas of stewardship, customer satisfaction and job satisfaction are how we ensure that Ecumen is delivering on our mission, our values and especially our promise to ‘innovate, empower and honor,’” Shelley Kendrick, Vice President of Operations at Ecumen, said.
The customer and job satisfaction rankings were tabulated by Pinnacle – a research company that regularly and anonymously surveys Ecumen stakeholders for feedback. Ratings are based on a scale of zero-to-five, with five being the best possible score.
“The satisfaction ratings are tabulated in a way that levels the playing field between our smaller communities and our larger campuses,” Kendrick said. “It’s wonderful to see Ecumen locations from both rural and metro areas being recognized, as well as communities that are in Idaho and Tennessee.”
In the area of customer satisfaction, Ecumen Evergreens of Moorhead won first place in the Assisted Living category with a 4.72 rating (out of 5) and Ecumen Lakeshore won first place in the Skilled Nursing Facility category with a 4.73 rating. Ratings were based on Pinnacle survey ratings from customers and their families.
In the area of job satisfaction, Heritage at Irene Woods in Memphis took first place in Assisted Living with a 4.71 rating and Ecumen Pathstone Living won first place in the Skilled Nursing Facility Category with a 4.33 rating. Ratings were based on Pinnacle survey responses by employees.
In the listing that follows, all winners are shown by category:
Customer Satisfaction – Assisted Living
1st place: Ecumen Evergreens of Moorhead, Moorhead, MN
2nd place: Ecumen Parmly LifePointes, Chisago City, MN
3rd place: Ecumen Lakeshore, Duluth, MN (tie)
3rd place: Lakeview Senior Housing, Balaton, MN (tie)
Customer Satisfaction – Care Center
1st place: Ecumen Lakeshore, Duluth, MN
2nd place: Ecumen Pathstone Living, Mankato, MN
3rd place: Sunnyside Care Center, Lake Park, MN
Job Satisfaction – Assisted Living
1st place: Heritage at Irene Woods, Memphis, TN
2nd place: The Harbor at Peach Village, Norwood Young America, MN
3rd place: Ecumen New Richland, New Richland, MN
Job Satisfaction – Care Center
1st place: Ecumen Pathstone Living, Mankato, MN
2nd place: Ecumen Detroit Lakes, Detroit Lakes, MN
3rd place: Ecumen Lakeshore, Duluth, MN
Sixteen sites were recognized as “MVP Communities” for meeting their financial stewardship goals in 2013. They are Ecumen Bethany Community, Alexandria; Ecumen Centennial House, Apple Valley; Ecumen CountrySide, Owatonna; Ecumen Lakeshore, Duluth; Ecumen LeCenter; Ecumen Mapleton; Ecumen Meadows, Worthington; Ecumen Oaks and Pines, Hutchinson; Grand Village, Grand Rapids; Heritage Senior Living, Park Rapids; Ecumen Lakeview Commons, Maplewood; Luther Park at Sandpoint, Idaho; Ecumen Pathstone Living, Mankato; Ecumen Scenic Shores, Two Harbors; Ecumen Brooks, Owatonna; and The Harbor at Peace Village, Norwood Young America.
Sweet Pea, the Ecumen Le Center Hospice Cat, Gains Notoriety in Mankato Magazine Article
Back in January on the Changing Aging Blog, we told the fanciful story of Sweet Pea, a feral cat adopted by Ecumen Le Center in Le Center, Minn., who always seems to know when someone is ready to depart or needs special comfort.
Word of Sweet Pea’s exceptional sixth sense has spread to the surrounding area. In its May issue, the Mankato Free Press’s Mankato Magazine carries a touching profile of Sweet Pea by writer Leticia Gonzales, who gracefully tells the story of the cat who helps people in their time of greatest need.
Ecumen Meadows in Worthington Gets Grant To Fund Strength-Training Program for Seniors
Ecumen Meadows in Worthington, Minn., has received a $4,500 grant from the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation to fund exercise equipment and personal training for residents and area seniors aimed at preventing falls and increasing independence.
Nancy Garvin, Ecumen Meadows housing manager, said residents, their families and staff already have raised about $3,000 to support a strength-training exercise program. The addition of the grant money will allow purchase of a new step exercise machine specifically for seniors, fund a year-long contract with a personal trainer and add additional exercise equipment such as hand weights, stretch bands and exercise balls.
“There is such a high demand for a program like this from our residents and other seniors in the area,” Garvin said. “We’re very grateful for the foundation’s recognition of this need and their generous financial support. Strength training can prevent falls and increase mobility. We have very active seniors here, and this will allow us to have exercise sessions four times a week.”
She said Ecumen Meadows serves 120 residents, plus the program also will be open to the entire Worthington community. “Maintaining their strength will allow seniors in the community to remain in their homes as long as possible,” Garvin said.
Pat Henderschiedt, representing the Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation, presented the $4,500 check to a group of Ecumen Meadows regular exercise participants on May 12.
Planning is now underway to start the four-times-per-week Senior Wellness Program this summer. For more information, call Cheryl Dinsmore, life enrichment manager at Ecumen Meadows, at 507-343-7157.
The Dubious Hero of Mother's Day by Jim Klobuchar
Ecumen blogger Jim Klobuchar worked extra hard this Mother's Day and recounts it as only he can.
Last Week's Top 5 Blog Posts - May 12
In case you missed one, here are the blog posts our online visitors found most interesting last week:
On National Nurses Day: Honoring Anne Diekmann, Exemplary Ecumen Nurse
What It's Like to be 100 Years Old, in 10 Charts
The Minnesota Boychoir Brings Early Mother's Day Joy to the Residents at Ecumen Lakeview Commons
Changing Aging Video: Ashley, LPN at Ecumen Bethany Community
Young Man's 89-Year-Old Prom Date Gets a Standing Ovation
To read more Changing Aging blog posts or to learn more about Ecumen, please visit ecumen.org.
The Minnesota Boychoir Brings Early Mother’s Day Joy To the Residents at Ecumen Lakeview Commons
The Minnesota Boychoir performed an early Mother’s Day concert at Ecumen Lakeview Commons on Saturday, May 3, to a packed house of residents, guests and caregivers.
The Cantar and Cantando ensembles performed “Why We Sing,” including “Pie Jesu” and “Wynken, Blynken and Nod,” and closing with “I’ll Make the Difference.” The choir members handed out gerbera daisies to the women in the audience following their performance.
“My grandma left with two daisies and the biggest smile on her face!” said Amy Williams, who is Ecumen’s major gifts officer. “The residents had a fantastic time. There was plenty of toe-tapping, clapping, and even some shouts of encouragement from the audience. The choirs were really fantastic and the flowers they gave at the end of the program were lovely and meaningful.”
Jen Rasmussen, the activity director at Ecumen Lakeview Commons, said residents are still talking about how great the boys could sing at such a young age and how cute they all are. “We had 70 boys in our lobby for almost three hours and every single one of them was a class act,” Jen said. “They were so very polite, quiet and sweet to the residents.”
The Boychoir “welcomes and embraces members of diverse faiths, races, and social and economic backgrounds.” Boys ages 7 to 18 come from communities throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area and perform in one of three ensemble groups – Cantar, Cantabile or Allegro – and are led by artistic director Mark S. Johnson.
“This is a good place to be for a lot of boys. Lots of kids search for a place to be – to belong. Here, boys with a common interest in singing can hang out, become friends and grow together, both as singers and as young men,” said Johnson, who was quoted in the Boychoir’s program.
The choir, founded in 1962, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season of providing choral music training, education and performance opportunities. Upcoming free concerts will be held in St. Paul on Saturday, May 31, and Minneapolis on Sunday, June 8. Visit www.boychoir.org for more information.
Ecumen Lakeview Commons in Maplewood, Minn., offers enriching activities and performances for residents and their families every week. To learn more about upcoming events or how to volunteer, please call 651-770-1111 or visit www.lakeviewcommons.org.
Changing Aging Video: Ashley, LPN at Ecumen Bethany Community
"It's a good variety. A lot of people think nursing can be the same thing every day when you work in a nursing home. But it's completely different. You have different challenges every day and you definately need to stay on the ball. It's just great - I love it!"
What it’s Like to be 100 Years Old, in 10 Charts
Interesting findings from two studies on centenarians.
On National Nurses Day: Honoring Anne Diekmann, Exemplary Ecumen Nurse
Anne is one of Ecumen’s approximately 2,800 nurses and nursing assistants. Today we honor them — and all nurses — for the care they give so selflessly and the positive difference they make in people’s lives every day. Read more about why Anne chose working in senior care over a hospital.
Last Week's Top 5 Blog Posts - May 5
In case you missed them, here are the blog posts our online visitors found most interesting last week:
A Handy Guide to Communicating With People Who Have Dementia
Young Man's 89-Year-Old Prom Date Gets a Standing Ovation
Jane's Beautiful Birthday Dream Grows at Ecumen of Litchfield
Most Centenarians Feel Positive - And a Lot Younger Than They Are
To read for Changing Aging blog posts or to learn more about Ecumen, please visit ecumen.org.