Resident Botanist Transforms Ecumen Lakeshore Grounds
Three years ago, when most people looked at the grounds of Ecumen Lakeshore, they saw a lawn. But when Clayton Oslund looked, he saw a botanical garden. It just needed to be created, and he was the guy to do it.
Clayton had just moved into The Crest at Ecumen Lakeshore with his impeccable credentials: former botany and horticulture faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Waseca, and former nursery business owner. He went straightaway to Lakeshore management and got permission to transform the landscape, starting with plants he moved from his former home.
What once was only a lawn is now the Lakeshore Botanical Garden, which you can tour on Facebook. Clayton is the Volunteer Curator.
Recently, Clayton was profiled in The Senior Reporter, a Duluth publication. Editor Burton Laine wrote: “When I walked around the campus with Clayton, what I really enjoyed was not only his enthusiasm for interesting and unusual plants, but his stories. He continuously told stories about the plants, where they came from, why he wanted to try them here, the challenges, and on and on.” You can read the complete story here.
Clayton works continuously transforming the Ecumen Lakeshore landscape and has enlisted the help of other residents by encouraging them to adopt a garden that they can see out their windows. Also, he continues to use his connections in the nursery industry to get donations of interesting plants.
“Clayton has made such a difference here,” said Roxanne Sternberg, residence manager of The Crest. “One of our goals at Ecumen is to change how people think about aging, and Clayton personifies that value. He did not retire here. He continues to practice his craft every day in ways that make this a better place for everyone.”
Minnesota Exploring New Ways to Pay for Expensive Alzheimer's Care and Other Long-Term Care Needs
Governor Dayton's administration bringing Minnesotans together to explore new ways to pay for Alzheimer's care and other long-term care needs.
Joe Gomer, Minnesota's Last Tuskegee Airman and Ecumen Lakeshore Resident, Dies at 93
Our country has lost a hero, Congressional Gold Medal recipient and one of a small group of remaining Tuskegee Airmen. Joe Gomer passed away at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, Minn., on Thursday, October 10. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends and all those he inspired. We are honored to have known and cared for Joe Gomer.
Learn more about Joe's life and accomplishments in today's Pioneer Press/AP story, "Minnesota's last Tuskegee Airman dies at 93."
Photo by AP Photo/Duluth News Tribune, Steve Kuchera
Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts Thanks Residents, Donors and Friends at Ecumen Pathstone Living Luncheon
Ecumen President and CEO Kathryn Roberts spent time discussing Ecumen’s Awakenings program with Roger Bock, a recent short-stay rehab “graduate” from Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, at a luncheon on Monday, October 7.
Roberts thanked over 60 residents, families, donors, volunteers, funders and rehab alumni for their support and partnership, and highlighted Ecumen’s Changing Aging initiatives. One of those initiatives is Ecumen Awakenings – a pilot program to reduce the use of anti-psychotic medications for those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Roberts used the example to illustrate how new collaborations, new possibilities and new solutions are making lives better in Mankato and across the country.
Upcoming fundraising events at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato include their annual Lights of Honor celebration on Sunday, November 3, and the Scandinavian Bake Sale on Saturday, December 7.
Ecumen Trustee Olivia Mastry Presenting on Act on Alzheimer's at Alzheimer Europe
L to R: Act on Alzheimer's Olivia Mastry, Executive Lead; Emily Farah-Miller, Project Director; Mary Ek, Project Manager
An Ecumen Awakenings colleague often uses this quotefrom Maya Angelou, relating it to Alzheimer's care: “When We Know Better, We Do Better.”
Learning and collaboration are essential to innovation in Alzheimer’s care. On that front, Ecumen Trustee Olivia Mastry is in Malta presenting at a Alzheimer Europe conference. Alzheimer Europe is striving to become the coordination and information center for all organizations working in this specific field, such as day care centers, sitting services, training centers for professionals and related organizations. They have some fantastic information, and it’s a great opportunity to connect with our European colleagues who share a passion for improving Alzheimer's care and making lives betetter.
Olivia is presenting in Malta on Act on Alzheimer’s, which is a very cool Minnesota effort that fosters collective ownership and accountability in preparing Minnesota for the personal, social and budgetary impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Olivia is the Executive Lead of Act on Alzheimer's. No single organization owns, finances or controls the initiative. The collaboration has more than 250 participants, including 60+ nonprofit (including Ecumen), governmental and private organizations, and works toward five goals:
- Identify and invest in promising approaches that reduce costs and improve care.
- Increase detection of Alzheimer’s disease and improve ongoing care and support.
- Sustain caregivers by offering them information, resources and in-person support.
- Equip communities to be “dementia capable” to support residents who are touched by Alzheimer’s disease.
- Raise awareness and reduce stigma by engaging communities.
“When We Know Better, We Do Better.”
Ecumen Gifts Officer Shares Advice with Bethel University for Pursuing Career in Non-Profit Sector
What are the benefits of working in the nonprofit sector? Does working at a nonprofit mean you have to starve? A Bethel Univesrity professor recently sought the perspective of Ecumen gifts officer Amy Williams and others on pursuing a rewarding career in the nonprofit world. You can read the full blog post here. If you work in the sector, why do you do it? Other advice you'd share?
The Big Idea in 4 Minutes - Coming of Age in an Aging America
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Talking Ecumen Awakenings With Nebraska Alzheimer's Care Professionals
Ecumen's Maria Reyes, RN, discusses a great question from Nebraska Alzheimer's care professionals.
Ecumen Boardman Meadows Has 10-Year Anniversary
Ecumen Boardman Meadows in New Richmond, Wisconsin recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. See coverage in the New Richmond News here.
Ecumen North Branch Awarded Grant For New TVs
The Midcontinent Communications Foundation awarded a $1,300 grant to Ecumen North Branch to buy multimedia televisions sets that will give residents more options to socialize while watching TV.
Nathan Johnson, executive director at Ecumen North Branch (pictured on the right), received the check from a Midcontinent representative. Nathan said the new TVs will be placed near the dining room so residents can gather and watch together around meal times. “This will allow us to create an extra activity area and give residents more opportunity to interact,” Nathan said.
“We are very grateful to Midcontinent for this grant,” Nathan said. “I’m sure our residents will enjoy the increased options for socializing this will create.”
“Midcontinent is honored to assist the organizations that work to improve the quality of life in this region, says Tom Simmons, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for Midcontinent Communications. “Over the years the Midcontinent Foundation has contributed more than 3-million dollars to support the work of non-profit organizations within our service area; we are thrilled this fall’s distribution of grant funds will help more non-profits than ever before.”
Midcontinent Communications provides cable TV, Internet, telephone and cable advertising services to more than 300,000 customers in 335 communities throughout North Dakota and South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.