April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month
About one million Americans and seven to 10 million people worldwide live with Parkinson's disease.
Top Blog Post — March 28, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 106th Birthday Verna Bloom
Everybody wants to know Verna Bloom’s secret. She’ll tell you being 106 years old “surprises” her because she has no big secrets to longevity — except maybe a positive attitude.
Ecumen Pilot Study Shows Light Therapy Helps Reduce Dementia Symptoms
Results of a pilot study by Ecumen show that light therapy can improve nighttime sleep and reduce agitation among residents with dementia, who often spend their nights awake and their days asleep.
A Salute to Ecumen’s Social Workers — The Resourceful Problem-Solvers in Senior Care
Social workers are the pathfinders of senior care. They get answers, connect dots, navigate through uncertainty and, most of all, solve problems. They are the expert professionals who make sure residents get the quality care they need.
Ecumen Scholars Internship Program for MnSCU Student Nurses Accepting Applications Through April
The Ecumen Scholars Internship Program is accepting applications through April, 2016, from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) student nurses interested in working in senior health care.
North Branch Reporter and Mayor Get a Dementia Simulation at Ecumen North Branch
Mike Bleninger, a reporter for The Post Review in North Branch, Minn., and North Branch Mayor Kristen Hagen-Kennedy got a firsthand sense of what it’s like to have dementia.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Top 5 Blog Posts — March 21, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Grace Larson
Ecumen honors Grace Larson, a resident of Clarkfield Care Center, who is 100.
In Memoriam: Chuck Zimmerman, Who Devoted His Life To Caring for Others
Chuck Zimmerman, who died March 7, 2016, retired from Ecumen a year ago after 35 years of distinguished service as an administrator of three of our campuses, a regional director and purchasing director. He always had a warm smile and a kind word — and made a huge difference in the lives of seniors.
Ecumen CIO Larry Jorgensen Named to National Commission on Aging Services Technology
Larry Jorgensen, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Ecumen, has been named a Commissioner for The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST). CAST is the technology arm of LeadingAge, a national association of 6,000+ not-for-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Honors Ecumen’s Dena Meyer with “40 Under 40” Recognition
Dena Meyer, Ecumen Senior Director of Business Development, received the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honor and was recognized at a March 10 event at A’BULAE in St. Paul.
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.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Top 5 Blog Posts — March 14, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
In Memoriam: Chuck Zimmerman, Who Devoted His Life To Caring for Others
Chuck Zimmerman, who died last Monday, retired from Ecumen a year ago after 35 years of distinguished service as an administrator of three of our campuses, a regional director and purchasing director. He always had a warm smile and a kind word — and made a huge difference in the lives of seniors.
Ecumen Moves Up on Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Senior Living Operators List
Ecumen ranks as the sixth largest senior living operator in the Twin Cities metro area, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s annual Senior Living Operators List — moving up from a seventh place ranking in 2015.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Honors Ecumen’s Dena Meyer with “40 Under 40” Recognition
Dena Meyer, Ecumen Senior Director of Business Development, received the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honor and was recognized at a March 10 event at A’BULAE in St. Paul.
Cat Therapy at Ecumen Detroit Lakes — Without the Cats
These therapy cats nuzzle, purr, meow, roll over, blink their eyes and go to sleep. But they never scratch or need a litter box. They are totally loveable and almost maintenance free — purr-fect for those who can’t take care of a live cat.
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.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Top 5 Blog Posts — March 7, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Cat Therapy at Ecumen Detroit Lakes — Without the Cats
These therapy cats nuzzle, purr, meow, roll over, blink their eyes and go to sleep. But they never scratch or need a litter box. They are totally loveable and almost maintenance free — purr-fect for those who can’t take care of a live cat.
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.
An Evening of Merriment at Ecumen Parmly LifePointes Point Pleasant Heights
Four former Saint Paul Winter Carnival Klondike Kates joined the residents of Ecumen Parmly LifePointe’s Point Pleasant Heights for their annual Candlelight Dinner.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 101st Birthday Lois McKinnon
Ecumen honors Lois McKinnon, a resident of Ecumen Lakeview Commons in Maplewood, who is 101.
Ecumen Detroit Lakes Wins Design Award for Its New Wellness Center
Ecumen Detroit Lakes won a “Best in Show” SAGE Design Award for its new Transitional Care Unit and Rehabilitation Center that opened earlier this year.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Top 5 Blog Posts — February 29, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Revisiting the Rescued Ecumen Coyote
It’s been a month and half since Ecumen Home Office employees and Ramsey County Sheriff’s deputies went to great lengths to save an emaciated coyote from freezing to death and sent her to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) for treatment. Here’s an update on how she’s doing.
85-Year-Old Woman Celebrates Her Birthday with Snow Angels
An 85-year-old woman's joy while making a snow angel has put smiles on the faces of over one million viewers.
Star Tribune Columnist Gail Rosenblum Has “The Talk” With Her Aging Mother
Star Tribune Columnist Gail Rosenblum frequently writes about aging and encourages adult children to ask their parents the tough questions about growing older and being less independent. Recently she found out firsthand how tough starting that conversation is.
Ecumen Bethany Nurse Awarded First Ecumen Scholars Hiring/Retention Incentive Program Payout
Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria recently handed out the first award through its Ecumen Scholars program. The program is a workforce development partnership between Ecumen and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) to help address a shortage of senior care nurses in rural areas.
Ecumen Detroit Lakes Wins Design Award for Its New Wellness Center
Ecumen Detroit Lakes won a “Best in Show” SAGE Design Award for its new Transitional Care Unit and Rehabilitation Center that opened earlier this year.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Top 5 Blog Posts — February 22, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Couple Married 83 Years Offers Advice on Valentine's Day
After 83 years of wedlock, John and Ann Betar have been named the "longest married couple in America." This Valentine's Day, the couple, who are 104 and 100 years old, spread their wisdom of love to other couples.
Caregiver of the Year: Ecumen Lakeshore Nursing Assistant Jo Ann Salo
Ecumen Lakeshore Nursing Assistant Jo Ann Salo was named “Caregiver of the Year” in District B at the annual LeadingAge of Minnesota “Stars Among Us” awards presentation Feb. 10, 2016, in Saint Paul.
The Story Behind Ecumen Detroit Lakes “Excellence in the Workplace” Award at LeadingAge MN
Achieving workplace excellence is hard under the best of circumstances. When Ecumen Detroit Lakes employees went on stage in Saint Paul this week to accept LeadingAge Minnesota’s prestigious “Excellence in the Workplace” award, their accomplishment was that they had done it under the worst of circumstances.
Ecumen Opens Hospice Serving the Twin Cities Metro
Ecumen, one of the oldest hospice providers in Minnesota, has opened a new hospice service for the Twin Cities metro area.
Top Honors for Ecumen Employees at LeadingAge Minnesota “Stars Among Us” Awards
Three Ecumen communities took home top awards for caregiving, workplace excellence and volunteerism at the annual “Stars Among Us Awards” presented by LeadingAge Minnesota.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Top 5 Blog Posts — February 15, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Top Honors for Ecumen Employees at LeadingAge Minnesota “Stars Among Us” Awards
Three Ecumen communities took home top awards for caregiving, workplace excellence and volunteerism at the annual “Stars Among Us Awards” presented by LeadingAge Minnesota.
The Story Behind Ecumen Detroit Lakes “Excellence in the Workplace” Award at LeadingAge
Achieving workplace excellence is hard under the best of circumstances. When Ecumen Detroit Lakes employees went on stage in Saint Paul this week to accept LeadingAge Minnesota’s prestigious “Excellence in the Workplace” award, their accomplishment was that they had done it under the worst of circumstances.
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.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 102nd Birthday Bernice Peterson
Ecumen honors Bernice Peterson, a resident of Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, who is 102.
Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood Chef Bill Evanoff Gets a High-Profile Assignment at the Super Bowl
Ecumen Chef Bill Evanoff played a key role in this year’s Taste of the NFL Party with a Purpose®, a charity event held the day before the Super Bowl to raise money to fight hunger.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Couple Married 83 Years Offers Advice on Valentine's Day
After 83 years of wedlock, John and Ann Betar have been named the "longest married couple in America." This Valentine's Day, the couple, who are 104 and 100 years old, will take to social media to spread their wisdom of love to other couples.
Top 5 Blog Posts — February 8, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
The Harbor at Peace Village Featured in Senior Perspective Newspaper
The Senior Perspective newspaper, distributed in more than 250 communities in Minnesota, featured The Harbor at Peace Village in Norwood Young America in its February issue.
Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood Chef Bill Evanoff Gets a High-Profile Assignment at the Super Bowl
Ecumen Chef Bill Evanoff played a key role in this year’s Taste of the NFL Party with a Purpose®, a charity event held the day before the Super Bowl to raise money to fight hunger.
My Grandmother’s Way of Saying Goodbye
A granddaughter recalls a wedding gift that will last forever.
Will You Live To Be 100? Get Tested.
What are your chances of making it to 100? Now there’s a test for that.
Ecumen Detroit Lakes HR Director Laura Boreen’s Inspiring Personal Journey
Laura Boreen, Human Resources Director at Ecumen Detroit Lakes, gives a deeply personal account of how education changed her life.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.