June 10 at 3pm | Positive Approaches to Behaviors Related to Dementia — Learning & Living Well With Dementia Series: Session 2
When: June 10th, 2026 from 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley (in the Theater Room)
Address: 15359 Founders Ln, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Positive Approaches to Behaviors Related to Dementia (session 2 of the Learning & Living Well With Dementia event series)*
Learn how changes from dementia affect behavior and discover practical strategies to respond positively, reduce challenging behaviors, and support safer, less stressful caregiving.
About the Speaker — Valerie J. Richards, MBA, Alzheimer’s Educator & Family Coach:
Valerie J. Richards, MBA, empowers caregivers and families to live well through dementia, aging, and end-of-life transitions. Learn more about Valerie at familieswithdementia.com
RSVP appreciated as space is limited: jillcarson@ecumen.org | 952-698-5300
*Learning & Living Well With Dementia is an event series brought to you by Ecumen Centennial House & Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, presented by Valerie J. Richards, Alzheimer’s Educator & Family Coach. View all events in this series here:
- Session 1 (May 14): Caring, Coping & Community — at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley
- Session 2 (June 10): Positive Approaches to Behaviors Related to Dementia — at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley
May 14 at 3pm | Caring, Coping & Community — Learning & Living Well With Dementia Series: Session 1
When: May 14th, 2026 from 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley (in the Theater Room)
Address: 15359 Founders Ln, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Caring, Coping & Community (session 1 of the Learning & Living Well With Dementia event series)*
Explore how progressive dementia impacts individuals, caregivers, and families. Learn about common symptoms, communication challenges, and positive ways to support and strengthen your community.
About the Speaker — Valerie J. Richards, MBA, Alzheimer’s Educator & Family Coach:
Valerie J. Richards, MBA, empowers caregivers and families to live well through dementia, aging, and end-of-life transitions. Learn more about Valerie at familieswithdementia.com
RSVP appreciated as space is limited: jillcarson@ecumen.org | 952-698-5300
*Learning & Living Well With Dementia is an event series brought to you by Ecumen Centennial House & Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, presented by Valerie J. Richards, Alzheimer’s Educator & Family Coach. View all events in this series here:
- Session 1 (May 14): Caring, Coping & Community — at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley
- Session 2 (June 10): Positive Approaches to Behaviors Related to Dementia — at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley
Retirement Home Helps Minnesota Man Celebrate 106th Birthday
Retirement Home Helps Minnesota Man Celebrate 106th Birthday
CBS News | Written by: Allen Henry | March 7, 2023
APPLE VALLEY, MN (March 7, 2023) — Born in 1917, Floyd Skinner has lived through two world wars, two pandemics and now, 106 birthdays.
Floyd was born near the Iowa border in Walters, Minnesota, doing his duty on the family farm before serving his country and traveling the world.
“I milked my cows, same as every farmer,” Floyd said.
“Gas was 14 cents a gallon when he was born, which is absurd in itself, yet he’s a veteran and he’s served in World War II,” said Mary Walters, executive director at Ecumen Seasons in Apple Valley.
Tuesday, his retirement home held a “Floyd Fest” to celebrate his life.
“Wearing yellow as his favorite color. We have these buttons on to honor him and all the residents and team members got one. And then we’re serving cake, having an accordion player,” Walters said.
Also carefully hidden around the home were 106 pictures of Floyd to honor his love of photography, and to spread a little more of what they call “the joy of Floyd.”
“I have never seen a 106 year old, and someone so healthy and vibrant, too,” Walters said. “He has such a positive outlook on life and he’s very inspirational. So, we’re happy to celebrate that.”
Despite the mileage he’s put in during his lifetime, when it comes to the secret to a long, healthy life, Floyd was a man of few words.
“I always tell ’em, ‘keep breathing,’ and that shuts them up,” Floyd said.
Floyd also received a certificate from the mayor of Apple Valley to honor and celebrate his birthday.
Click here to view the whole story.
About Ecumen
Ecumen is a nonprofit provider, developer and operator of award-winning living spaces and innovative technology and services for older adults. Mission-driven since its founding in 1862, Ecumen’s legacy of service is a reflection of a commitment to honoring those it serves. Ecumen is based in Shoreview, Minn., and operates properties and services in multiple states, and provides new development, management and consulting services. Housing options include cooperative living, independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care communities. Its diverse in-home and community-based services include home care, hospice, physical and occupational therapy, adult day services, technology products and an online durable goods medical store. For more information, visit ecumen.org.
Amber Hernandez Honored with Ecumen Philanthropy's Powerful Partner Award
Amber Hernandez, Human Resources Specialist at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, has received the 2018 Ecumen Philanthropy Powerful Partner Award.
Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley Raises Over $1,800 at Lights of Honor Event
Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley recently raised more than $1,800 to benefit residents at its 2017 Lights of Honor ceremony.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Floyd Skinner
Ecumen honors Floyd Skinner, a resident of Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, who is 100.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 101st Birthday Alice Mason
Ecumen honors Alice Mason, a resident of Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, who is 101.
7 Powerful Photographs of Terminally Ill Patients Living Out Their Final Wishes
The Ambulance Wish Foundation, a Dutch nonprofit, is helping those in hospice experience one final request. The organization's main message states, "Positive end-of-life experiences are far too important to pass up." Like the individuals they serve, the final wishes of their patients are all extremely special and unique.
Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley Voted “Best Assisted Living” Community
Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley was named “Best Assisted Living” community in the Sun Thisweek newspaper’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Top 5 Blog Posts — February 2
Did you miss last week’s most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen’s online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Two Ecumen Communities Receive National Award for Service Excellence
Two Ecumen communities have been nationally recognized as "Caring Stars of 2015," by Caring.com, a leading senior care website. Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley in Apple Valley, Minn., and Ecumen Lakeview Commons in Maplewood, Minn., received the award for service excellence based on consumer ratings and reviews on the Caring.com website.
The Minnesota State Arts Board has awarded grants totaling just over $46,000 to three Ecumen communities to encourage artistic development and creativity among older adults through the Partners in Arts Participation program.
Table for Two Old Guys — By Ecumen Blogger Jim Klobuchar
Across the lunch table, two eighty-something guys have a meeting of the hearts.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 103rd Birthday Anna Grunwald
Ecumen honors Anna Grunwald, a resident of Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, Minn., who is 103.
Ecumen Detroit Lakes Charity Benefit Previews New Wellness Center
More than 200 people filled the halls at Ecumen Detroit Lakes last Saturday for the community’s annual charity benefit, which also served as a sneak preview of the newly remodeled campus and a screening of the critically acclaimed documentary on singer Glen Campbell’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.