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.
Bertha Smith, First Black Teacher in Minneapolis School District, Remembered as Pioneer and Role Model
Bertha Smith, the first black teacher in the Minneapolis School District, is being remembered by local leaders as an extraordinary educator, tireless volunteer and dedicated community advocate. Smith, a resident at Ecumen Prairie Lodge, passed away on Friday, April 18, at the age of 94. Our condolences to Bertha's family, friends and all those who were influenced by her.
Ecumen is honored to share Bertha's story, as told in this Star Tribune obituary, "Bertha Smith Broke Down Barriers in Minneapolis Schools."
Young Man's 89-Year-Old Prom Date Gets a Standing Ovation
Austin Dennison didn't ask his high school sweetheart to prom. Nor did he ask a celebrity via Twitter. Austin, a "kind of fellow who looks like he just stepped out of central casting," asked his 89-year-old great grandmother to his senior prom. And she said yes. You can read the full story in this Fox News Article: "Teenager Takes His Great-Grandmother to Prom."
Jane’s Beautiful Birthday Dream Grows at Ecumen of Litchfield
Jane Magnuson rarely speaks. She does not ask for much.
She is wheelchair bound. And does not like to call attention to herself.
So it was particularly difficult to figure out what to do for her birthday.
But the staff at Ecumen of Litchfield was determined to find the best possible way to celebrate.
Jane is a hospice client. This birthday is especially important.
Last year, Ecumen of Litchfield Hospice started the “EcuDreams” program to make dreams come true for clients in their last days.
Mary Buhr, the activity director, remembered that Jane loves flowers. Judy Loecken, a hospice social worker, got busy hatching a plan with the team.
Yesterday morning Judy wheeled Jane from her room. When they returned a short time later, a crowd of people were singing and showcasing Jane’s present.
It is a planter built just for her, full of flowers, to fit her room so she can wheel up to it and dig in the dirt.
Jane does not like crowds and commotion. But yesterday she smiled and nodded, clearly very pleased.
“There was not a dry eye in the room,” said Sandy Doughtery, the clinical director.
All the materials, labor, dirt and plants were donated. Dennis Gartner of Litchfield Building Center designed and built the custom planter. Marilyn Rau was there from Stockmen’s Greenhouse, which donated the dirt and flowers.
Marilyn knelt down and told Jane: “If you don’t see your favorite flowers here, just let me know and we’ll fix that.”
Everyone gathered for cupcakes.
Nicole Larson of the hospice staff knelt and fed Jane a cupcake.
Jane Magnuson turned 81 yesterday. Today she will smell the flowers.
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POSTSCRIPT:
Activity Director Mary Buhr went back to see Jane the day after her birthday. Mary posted this account on Facebook:
" We made a great 'mess' with the dirt, and the smell of the fresh dirt filled her room. Jane was very happy --so much so she didn't want to take her planting glove off! And as I left the room, she smiled and said 'just leave me here facing my garden--I am happy now.'
Most Centenarians Feel Positive — And a Lot Younger Than They Are
UnitedHealthcare has been polling centenarians annually for the past nine years, and the studies document that the 100+ age group is overall happy, well adjusted and not burdened with regrets.
This year’s study, summarized in USA Today, finds that centenarians on average feel about 83. (Baby boomers also were surveyed this year, and on average a 65-year-old feels 55.)
Most centenarians did not expect to live to 100, and most baby boomers do not expect to reach that age. Both say that attitude and physical health are equally important to reaching 100.
Full study results are available here.
A Handy Guide to Communicating With People Who Have Dementia
Dementia gradually diminishes a person’s ability to communicate properly, requiring patience, understanding and good listening skills. The following infographic offers a few suggestions on how to overcome barriers between you and the person with dementia.
Source: Open Placement, a California firm providing seniors, families and care coordinators real-time information and tools so they can find the right senior housing and home care providers. You can find the original blog post here.