Ecumen Pathstone Living

The Mankato Clinic Foundation Awards Grant to Ecumen Pathstone Living For NuStep Exercise Machine

Thanks to the Mankato Clinic Foundation, Ecumen Pathstone Living received a $4,475 grant to purchase a NuStep exercise machine, a cross-trainer designed specifically for older adults.

“We’re so grateful to the Mankato Clinic Foundation for this gift,” said Becky Kunst, Community Relations Coordinator at Ecumen Pathstone Living.  “We just installed the NuStep and residents are lining up to use it. It offers a great workout that is safe, effective and fun.”

The NuStep provides strong back support while decreasing stress on joints and muscles. As a cross trainer, it provides a strong cardiovascular workout while also strengthening arms and legs. It also has a swivel seat and grab bar to make getting on and off easy.

The Mankato Clinic Foundation provides resources to organizations and endeavors that effectively promote and improve community health and wellness. Since the primary focus of the Foundation is to support the health and well-being of the community, projects and programs supported include education and scholarships initiatives focused on health care, health education and wellness.

The physicians at the Mankato Clinic provide the majority of the Foundation funding as a means to give back to the community by providing support to organizations which strive to improve health and wellness.  Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis and are considered only through the application process.  Applications can be obtained at mankatoclinic.com.

by origineight

Ecumen Offering Scholarships to Direct Care Employees Under New State Funding Program

Ecumen has received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health for scholarships to fund training for Ecumen direct care employees in Home Care, Assisted Living and Adult Day Services.

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by origineight

In Memoriam: Dr. Jack Heimark, A Gentle Giant of a Man

On February 5, 2016, hundreds of people crowded into the chapel at Ecumen Pathstone Living to remember Dr. Jack Heimark. There is so much to remember.

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by origineight

Ecumen Pathstone Living Residents Vote on 100 Potential Menu Items

Darcy Stueber, the Dining Director at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, is always looking for ways to refresh the menu at the senior living community.  But outright experimentation is risky. So she decided to organize a “dining fair” and let residents sample some new food products. 

Last Wednesday, 11 local food brokers brought their offerings to the community.  Residents had a chance to try 100 products and vote them up or down.

The fair was a big hit — as the smiles in the accompanying photos show.  Darcy is still going through the comment cards, but there are some clear winners: cranberry wild rice bread, a new Swedish meatball offering, a new beer battered shrimp product and a flavored water with nutrients.

Darcy was especially happy to see that the blueberry filled pancake was popular.  “Breakfast is the hardest meal to re-create,” she says. “There are only so many ways to make eggs.”

Putting on the fair and serving regular meals was quite a challenge, Darcy says, because the dining staff had to do their regular jobs, while sharing the kitchen space with the vendors who were cooking as well. 

“But we all shared and made room,” she says.  “My staff is fantastic.”

Routinely, Darcy meets with her Dining Task Force — an advisory group of residents who help with menu planning.  The fall/winter menu is now in the works.

“We incorporate seasonal items to keep it interesting and switch things up,” she says.  This summer, corn on the cob was a menu favorite. And this fall, a few of the winners from the dining fair will likely make the grade.  

by origineight