Transitional Care Suites - Benedictine Health System
Transcription
Transitional Care Suites - Benedictine Health System
Crookston’s Premier Senior Care & Living Facilities www.villastvincent.com Summer 2011 - Issue 2 Transitional Care Suites page 8 Mission Moments page 11 Our Featured Tenant page 13 218-281-3424 • Toll Free 1-800-208-1342 A publication of Villa St. Vincent/The Summit Summer 2011 - Issue 2 Highlights of Upcoming Activities Care and Share Lunch Maple Lake Picnic Music in Walsh Park Knights of Columbus Picnic Trinity Picnic at the Lake Ox Cart Days and Parade Bergeson’s Nursery Visit Meals on Wheels Casino Outing Employee Picnic Berry Farm Trip 4 5 BeHS Wellness Hope at the end of the Journey 7 Keeping Connected Over the Miles 8 Transitional Care Suites John Myrold (RN) 9 11 12 13 14 Meet Marceline Grundhaus Mission Moments Bendiciones! Our Featured Tenant Get to Know Dorothy Helgeson 516 Walsh Street • Crookston, MN 56716 • 218.281.3424 • www.villastvincent.com Villa Life Villa St. Vincent 218.281.3424 • Toll Free 1-800-208-1342 By Erica Hamre, Wellness Director/ Exercise Physiologist The Villa St. Vincent has implemented a new wellness program for residents called the BeHS Wellness Program. This program, which began in September 2010, embraces a new approach to conventional restorative nursing programs. At The Villa, we have taken a more prevention-centered approach to traditional restorative therapies. An overall wellness mindset has been incorporated and trickles down into the care of our residents. The BeHS Wellness Program integrates daily strength, flexibility, balance and exercise classes, and every day our residents participate in specifically designed exercise programs. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we alternate strength and balance classes; on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday we alternate flexibility and balance classes. These wellness classes are in session seven days a week, with each resident attending at least six out of the seven. Sixty-four out of one hundred and one residents are participating in the BeHS Wellness Program. Those residents who experience cognitive or physical limitations are still included in an individualized program. All residents who participate in the BeHS Wellness Programs are screened and assessed by our skilled Physical/ Occupational Therapists and our Exercise Physiologist. We assess each resident’s upper extremity and lower extremity strength, flexibility and balance. Once this data is gathered, a specific exercise regimen is developed for each resident with specific guidelines for their daily exercise classes. Each resident is reassessed quarterly to monitor changes. These changes can be deficiencies or improvements. If there are deficiencies in areas such as strength, flexibility and balance, we are able to address them with our rehabilitation department and inter vene in daily exercises. December 2010 was the start of our first quarter of reassessments. Our group consisted of 11 residents we initially introduced into the BeHS Wellness Program. Our 11, 1st quarter residents showed: • 14.8% increase of upper strength • 7% increase of lower strength • No one declined in balance Our 36, 2nd quarter residents showed: • 13.21% increase of upper strength • 13.1% increase of lower strength • 21% increase in flexibility • Balance endurance held steady Our 3rd quarter residents showed: • 16.4% increase of upper strength • 16% increase of lower strength • 30% increase in flexibility • Balance endurance held steady The residents at Villa St. Vincent find their exercise program to be a very important part of their daily routine and understand the importance of these exercise programs. Many residents enjoy the challenge of the BeHS Wellness Program classes and find that in several ways, the exercise helps them with their day-to-day activities. The residents’ accomplishments in the BeHS Wellness Program have been encouraging to everyone at Villa St. Vincent. It has been enjoyable to watch the residents, not only participate in their daily exercise programs, but to engage in the social aspect of exercising with other residents in a group setting, while maintaining individualized exercise programs. At Villa St. Vincent we enjoy the challenge of moving forward with the BeHS Wellness Program, challenging not only our residents in their exercise programs, but ourselves. Our residents’ progress in the BeHS Wellness Program has also motivated families and staff to be more active and involved in their own daily health and wellness. Edna Rognlie Betty Thureen Sister Caroline Liebl 4 At the end of Villa Life Villa St. Vincent Hope the Journey By Erica Hamre, Wellness Director/Exercise Physiologist Photo Left to Right: Erica Hamre (Exercise Physiologist), Bev Perreault, Jennifer Tull (Physical Therapist) When the BeHS Wellness Program was introduced to Villa St. Vincent in September 2010, Bev was very interested. She was assessed and placed into a class and participated in all portions of the program. The motto of the BeHS Wellness Program states, “Do What You Can,” and Bev took this motto to heart. Bev instantly thrived in the program, pushing herself further and further every day. She slowly increased her weights in strength class and eventually her flexibility increased. Bev actively participated in a modified balance program from her wheelchair. While in class, Bev looked at the parallel bars and thought to herself, “why couldn’t I be doing that?” She wanted to give standing a try even though she knew it would be a long shot. Shortly after class was dismissed, Bev approached the Wellness Director and said, “I think that I would like to try to stand.” Due to Bev’s strong motivation, the Wellness Director and coaches worked with her for many weeks and saw a miracle begin to happen. Bev was not just standing in place, or even shifting her weight from side to side, but she was taking steps. The Wellness Director quickly communicated Bev’s achievements with the rehabilitation department and within a few weeks, with doctor’s orders, Bev began physical therapy. Within a few more weeks, Bev was walking with a walker! This was a true miracle. walk once again. Bev reported that her family has never been so happy! They too, acknowledged the fact that she was possibly never going to walk again. Instead, this accomplishment in Bev’s life has brought her family tears of pure joy. Bev stated, “The BeHS Wellness Program, along with rehabilitation, gave me encouragement to push on and to walk. I know there is a long road ahead of me and that hard work must come with patience.” Bev feels that without these programs she would not have been inspired to walk again, let alone stand. Bev said, “being able to exercise in the BeHS Wellness Program has given me hope at the end of the journey.” Bev’s strength and inspiration has truly touched everyone in our Villa St. Vincent family. www.villastvincent.com Bev Perreault has been a resident at Villa St. Vincent since 2007. Due to a stroke and a surgery on her shoulder, Bev was restricted to her wheelchair and was told it was unlikely she would ever walk again. Bev was upset about her immobility, but tried to not let it get the best of her. “I just learned to accept things the way they were,” she commented. Bev’s daughter was visiting from out of state and she was brought to tears when she was able to see her mother Her strength and courage to push on makes us all realize there is always HOPE. Bev Perreault 5 technologycontinues continuestotoplay playanan AsAstechnology important role in our daily lives, important role in our daily lives, wewe increasingthetheoptions optionsforforfamilies families areareincreasing stayin intouch touchwith withtheir theirloved lovedones ones totostay who reside at Villa St. Vincent and The who reside at Villa St. Vincent and The emails, to connect internet and email, to connect to to thethe internet and toto SUMMIT Assisted Living. SUMMIT Assisted Living. Skype™. Recently one of our tenant’s Skype™. Recently one of our tenant’s daughters moved out of state. While Phone conferencing is available to Phone conferencing is available to daughters moved out of state. While living here, she came to visit her dad families who cannot physically attend families who cannot physically attend living here, she came to visit her dad every day. With distance now between care conferences for Villa residents. care conferences for Villa residents. every day. With distance now between them,they theyareareusing usingSkype Skype™ keep ™ Familiesjust justneed needtotonotify notifythetheSocial Social them, to tokeep Families connected. Worker prior care conference time connected. Worker prior toto thethe care conference time and a phone conference connection will and a phone conference connection will additiontotothethecomputers computersat atThe The InInaddition be set up for them. be set up for them. SUMMIT tenants also enjoying SUMMIT thethe tenants areare also enjoying gaming on a Nintendo Wii™ system. ™ Through our “It’s Never 2 Late” Through our “It’s Never 2 Late” gaming on a Nintendo Wii system. computerprogram, program,residents residentsareareable able computer We are humbly grateful to the connecttotothetheinternet internetwith withsome some We are humbly grateful to the totoconnect Northwest Minnesota Foundation for computerswewehave haveat atThe The Northwest Minnesota Foundation for ofofthethecomputers the grant we received in support of our Villa.One Oneofofthethecomputers, computers,located located the grant we received in support of our Villa. “It’s Never 2 Late” computer program. familyconference conferenceroom, room,hashasa a “It’s Never 2 Late” computer program. in inthethefamily Our many thanks also go out to the large touch screen making it more user Our many thanks also go out to the large touch screen making it more user United Way of Crookston for the friendly our elders they connect United Way of Crookston for the friendly forfor our elders as as they connect grant we received to fund the Skype™ internet.This Thiscomputer computerallows allows grant we received to fund the Skype™ totothetheinternet. program. The grant was part of their easyaccess accesstotomagazines, magazines,newspapers, newspapers, program. The grant was part of their easy effort with the “Cultures Crossing the weatherinformation, information,and andgames. games. effort with the “Cultures Crossing the weather Generations” project. Our GEMS Residents may also connect with loved Generations” project. Our GEMS Residents may also connect with loved (Great Employees Making Strides) onesthrough throughSkype Skype™ free,livelive (Great Employees Making Strides) ™ ones – –a afree, supportersarearedeserving deservingofofa abig big supporters video chat program. video chat program. thank you for their financial support “thank you” for their financial as well. Both of our Nintendo Our address for Skype ™ is support as well. Both of our Nintendo Our address for Skype is Wii™ systems were made possiblebyby ™ VILLA ST VINCENT Wii systems were made possible VILLA ST VINCENT their generosity. their generosity. Family staff, staff and and volunteers volunteers areare Family, welcometotoassist assistresidents residentsin intaking taking welcome advantage of this great opportunity advantage of this great opportunity toto search and World Wide Web! search and useuse thethe World Wide Web! www.villastvincent.com www.villastvincent.com Villa Life Villa Life Villa St. Vincent Villa St. Vincent ThankstotoModern Modern Thanks Technologyand and Technology GiftsofofSupport Support Gifts Residentsalso alsoenjoy enjoygetting gettingactive active Residents with our Nintendo Wii™ video games ™ with our Nintendo Wii video games, andour ouractivity activitystaff staffand andvolunteers volunteers and help them play their favorite games. help them play their favorite games. Currently, bowling seems to be Currently, bowling seems to be thethe most popular. most popular. Activity Room The SUMMIT, InIn thethe Activity Room at at The SUMMIT, we have two computers. The tenants we have two computers. The tenants use them frequently to check their use them frequently to check their Bernard Stroot (foreground), Claire Hoepfl (background) Bernard Stroot (foreground), Claire Hoepfl (background) 7 7 Villa Life Villa St. Vincent 218.281.3424 • Toll Free 1-800-208-1342 Villa St. Vincent provides transitional care to residents with complex nursing and/or rehabilitation needs. Examples of complex needs include, but is not limited to: respiratory care, IV medications, wound care, medication modifications, resident education, discharge planning, clinical monitoring, diabetic management, internal tube feedings, pain management, and tracheotomy care. Rehabilitation needs include: functional limitations in areas of mobility, self-care, communication and/or safety. For placement in the transitional care unit, the residents first need to be classified as medically stable and no longer require the service of an acute care facility. Our transitional care unit accommodations are all designated private suites, offering a hotel type environment, conditions, services and amenities. THERAPY Villa St. Vincent offers short-term inpatient, occupational, physical, and speech/language pathology. Rehabilitation services are provided to those who have suffered illness, accidents, and/or surgery. The goal for our residents in the Transitional Care Suites is to assist them in returning home or to a setting allowing greater independence. Sixty-five percent of residents admitted to The Villa return home or to an assisted living setting. 8 CULINARY The Culinary Services Department strives to provide delicious meals in a home-like setting. Satisfaction and enjoyment of meals is our goal. The Transitional Care Suites are furnished with a refrigerator and may be stocked with items such as seasonal fruit, yogurt, cheeses, etc. Villa St. Vincent believes good nutrition is a key part of overall good health; therefore, we provide a liberalized approach to food to include well-balanced meals versus “diets”. We will work with you on any nutritional concerns or special diet considerations you may have. Hot coffee is always available, free of charge, for residents and their guests. ACTIVITIES We assess individual interests and needs of our residents in our Transitional Care Unit. Complimentary alternative modalities are being researched to assure residents new and innovative choices, such as hand massage and the use of essential oils for rest, relaxation, calming and clarity. Much more will be coming on this topic! Frequently asked questions regarding transitional care. How do you assist with discharge planning? Discharge planning begins the day of admission. The care team will meet with you regarding your current situation, needs and goals. How will I know when I am ready to return home? The care team will work with you, your primary care provider and family, to identify needs and establish a treatment plan and goals. What about my medications and treatments? Residents will be evaluated and treatment plans established. Resident education will be provided during your stay. Detailed home instructions will be provided to you and your family upon discharge. The staff of the Villa St. Vincent Transitional Care Suites strive to meet all the needs of each and every shortterm stay resident. We will honor their choices, while constantly applying our skills to benefit them, respecting the values and beliefs of each resident. We are able to fulfill our mission of caring for each resident with “dignity and grace.” Respectfully submitted, Peggy Wangen, RN Transitional Care Unit Manager Everyone agrees that Marceline enjoys the activities. She especially likes the musicals and being able to play cards. Marceline and her family appreciate that the nursing staff is kind and welltrained. At the top of their list are the physical therapists. Marceline states, “I love the therapists. They got me walking in no time flat.” Daughter Cindy goes on to say, “I can’t speak When Marceline first arrived at The SUMMIT she was quite weak. “I had to help her into the car and help her get her legs in,” says her son, Monsignor Roger Grundhaus. Both Marceline and her son credit her participation in the morning exercise classes with Kathy Hanson, Coordinator for The SUMMIT Activity Programs, for the return of Marceline’s strength and agility. Having lived in The SUMMIT for almost five years, Marceline appreciates that she is able to go Marceline Grundhaus & Cindy Delorme (Daughter) to the main dining room for her meals instead of having to cook for things in it, including a deck of cards,” herself. She believes that being able to she added. Monsignor Roger goes on do her own laundry in the coin free to say, “it was nice being near her laundry rooms at The SUMMIT and SUMMIT apartment while she was in making her own bed are important the Transitional Care Unit of The Villa in allowing her to maintain her because we could just run up there independence and self-sufficiency. whenever we needed to.” Marceline also greatly appreciates having the chapel under the same roof. Marceline and her children all express “I love being able to go to church how very happy they are with Marceline’s services every day,” she says. She is also care at Villa St. Vincent. Monsignor grateful for the Pastoral Care Staff that Roger states, “my mom said she has brings her communion on the days she never had one negative encounter with is not able to attend services. any of the staff.” Marceline goes on to Last winter, Marceline suffered a say, “everyone here is kind. Even the broken hip. After hospitalization, she laundry ladies and housekeepers are Villa Life nice. And if you don’t show up for a meal, the nurses come and get you.” www.villastvincent.com With age, Marceline’s needs changed and she required just a little more help with everyday tasks. Having to consider moving her from Thief River Falls was not easy. Her son rented an apartment for her in Crookston. “I came to see it and I thought it would be alright. I figured it would be less work for my family.” The apartment happened to be at The SUMMIT Assisted Living on the Villa St. Vincent campus. was transferred to the Villa St. Vincent Transitional Care Unit for our inhouse rehabilitation services. Marceline, her son Monsignor Roger, and her daughter Cindy, say they were very happy with her suite. “There was plenty of room for all of us to visit so that we could cheer mom on,” says Cindy. They also note the admission process went very well. “They took care of all of our needs immediately and even gave us a welcome basket with various Villa St. Vincent Marceline Grundhaus is a tenant of The SUMMIT Assisted Living and a resident of the Villa St. Vincent Transitional Care Unit. Originally from Thief River Falls, Marceline is the proud mother of six children, grandmother of 12 and the great grandmother of eight. highly enough about the therapists. They are astute, cordial and they enjoy working with my mother. Mom was able to return to her apartment much sooner than the doctor told us she would be able to.” After Marceline completed her therapy at The Villa, she only had to go up the elevator to be at home. She says, “it all went fine. Everyone was waiting for me.” Cindy also says, “getting her to transition back to her apartment was easy because she was already so well adjusted in The SUMMIT.” 9 Villa Life Villa St. Vincent Hazel Engen Georgia Houske Marion Yates Mathilde Moe Gladys Menard 218.281.3424 • Toll Free 1-800-208-1342 Robert Delaney Ed King Renee Sperling, Activities Assistant Morris Hogenson Marjorie Combs 10 Josephine Peterson Bev Brekken, Foudation Coordinator Russell Johnson Henrietta Smith Rose Czapiewski Villa Life Villa St. Vincent The Villa St. Vincent/The SUMMIT of Crookston, Minnesota welcomes Lori A. Wagner as the new Foundation Director. In her new role, her main focus will be on major gifts and planned giving. Lori comes to us from the non-profit business sector where she most recently was the CEO of three non-profits: the Crookston Chamber of Commerce, the Crookston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and United Way of Crookston. Wagner has a rich history of conducting annual campaigns, fundraising, public relations, sponsorship, recruiting, community relations, programming, marketing and corporate branding. “Crookston has a strong sense of family and giving back, and I have been fortunate enough to be born and raised in this community,” Lori says. “If there is a need, people step up.” She goes on to say, “The one thing that drew me to The Villa/The SUMMIT is their core values of Hospitality, Stewardship, Respect and Justice. I feel it speaks volumes of an organization that exemplifies these values, and over the years, I have seen the organization make huge strides in resident care, outpatient services, daycare for staff/ community, and services like a wellness center and assisted living.” She continues with, “The Villa has turned into more of a rehabilitation center. Their mission is to get you in and get you out, so you can live your life doing what you are passionate about. We all want to be living our retirement dreams of playing with grandchildren, having a bucket of worms and a fishing pole, and golfing. You dream it, and we will help you get strong enough to get back to your independent life.” Lori also believes that in order to help The Villa/The SUMMIT thrive and continue to offer the Crookston area a transition place, funds must be raised for capital projects. One such project would be adding a heated bay on The Villa side. This would include expanding the Wellness Center and The SUMMIT main floor dining rooms and adding a covered patio. “According to research, the baby boomers are going to want larger rooms, expanded technology and a spa or wellness center, to name just a few,” says Lori. “I am a baby boomer, so my goal is to get The Villa and The SUMMIT prepared for what we all need. Many nursing homes are closing due to lack of funding, so what can we do to survive? We need your support, plain and simple.” According to Lori, The Villa/The SUMMIT only makes about one cent per dollar of revenue. “Shocking? We know.” She says, “when you make a donation, 100% of your donation goes to the campaign of your choice. You can make a difference.” Currently there are four committees that make up the Villa St. Vincent (VSV) Foundation and they include the Major Gift Committee, Spokes, Community Relations and GEMS. www.villastvincent.com Left to Right: Peggy Wangen (RN), Jim Snyder (Bremer Bank President), Annette Baird (RN, SSD) To find out more on how you can make a difference, please email Lori at [email protected] or call her at 218-281-0762 (office) or 218-280-2933 (mobile). Lori Wagner 11 Villa Life Villa St. Vincent 218.281.3424 • Toll Free 1-800-208-1342 By Lisa St. Michel, granddaughter of the well-known and well respected Crookston physician, Dr. Howard Wikoff Honduran Child Lisa St. Michel holding Honduran Child In January 2011, I was able to travel to Tegucigalpa, Honduras on a week long medical/evangelism mission trip. Located in the middle of Central America, Honduras is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras and is a large metropolis located on a chain of mountains. It is estimated the population is around 1.25 million people. Extreme poverty is an endemic to the area with many families living on less than one dollar per day. Hundreds of thousands of people go without medical and dental care as they lack the resources to be able to pay for such services. Local churches hosted the brigade sites we traveled. This is necessary not only for location, but for the safety of the brigade teams. At one site, the staff and the equipment was kept safe by a local gang who were happy we were coming to help their neighborhood. Each day our bus would take us to our destination where we were always surprised by the hundreds of people already waiting to be seen. The medical brigade was able to provide care in medical, chiropractic, dental, and optical to childrens’ ministries and evangelism. Four different families also received the blessing of having concrete floors poured in their houses. Translators assisted in the mission by being our ears and voices. As a nurse I was able to assess patients, provide health/nutrition education and prescribe medications. All the medications dispensed to patients had been purchased by the brigade team through monetary donations or through donations by pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. It was very troubling when we saw diabetic patients who needed insulin, as there was none for us to give or purchase at a pharmacy in Tegucigalpa. We were told the country was out of insulin. Almost all patients were treated with parasite medication as the drinking water in their area is not treated. Respiratory issues are also very significant due to dust in the air as a result of dirt floors in houses and the lack of paved roads. In all, we saw 2,609 people through the medical, dental and optical stations. The youngest patient we saw was only a few days old; the oldest was 92. The challenges of life for most of the people we saw were poverty, joblessness, and being victims of vicious crimes. It was a great honor to provide compassionate care to the Honduran people. They were ever so gracious for the care and attention they received. I am very grateful for the support and encouragement I received from the staff and residents at Villa St. Vincent for the mission trip. It has been very rewarding to come back to the facility and be able to share my many experiences! Honduran Child Dios te Bendiga! (God Bless you!) Lisa St. Michel, RN Villa St. Vincent 12 featuring SUMMIT tenant: Doris Albright moving to work in Crookston. Sadly, Bill passed away 14 years ago. Doris and Bill raised four children. Their sons, Daniel and Robert, both make their homes in Barnesville, Minnesota. Doris’ daughter, Susan Larson, lives in Fargo, North Dakota and her other daughter, Karen Bank, lives at Union Lake near Erskine, Minnesota. Ten grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren fill Doris’ life with much happiness and excitement. “The SUMMIT is a nice place that “Doris is a is comfortable, humble, kind lady warm and safe.” enjoys knitting, spending time with a ready smile Doris with friends, family and reading. Her for everyone she favorite flower is the rose. Doris is a humble, kind lady with a ready smile for everyone she meets, and she always meets.” Doris attended and graduated from high school in Frazee, Minnesota. From there she moved to Moorhead to attend one year of advanced schooling to become a certified teacher. Once she had her teaching certificate, she returned to Vergas where she taught all grades in a small country school. Doris recalls those days as being filled with hard work yet still being very exciting. While teaching, she met Bill (William) Carl Albright. They were married in 1932. He was a state insurance agent and an agency manager working first in the Pelican Rapids area and eventually, care, so she spent much of her time visiting with him. Doris notes it was a real relief to not worry about keeping up a home when she moved into The SUMMIT. “It’s a nice place that is comfortable, warm and safe. There are things to do, good meals are provided and there are activities and opportunities to visit with other people,” she says. Doris enjoys the fact that she can live independently in her own apartment. Yet, she says, “when needed, it’s good to have a very nice staff available to help with the things I need help with. The staff here is exceptionally kind and helpful.” She also states, “if I lived alone, I probably wouldn’t be eating right or getting to be with other people. Here at The SUMMIT, that is all available to me.” looks her very best. When asked what her secret to living to a healthy 101 years is, she wittingly replies, “that’s what I wonder!” Doris does know that she tries to live a good, normal life like everyone else. www.villastvincent.com Doris Isabelle (Peterson) Albright was born in Souris, North Dakota on December 8, 1909 to parents of Swedish descent, Jennie and Henry Peterson. Doris had three siblings, her sister, is 93 and living in Montana. When Doris was seven years old her father passed away. To be closer to her mother’s family they moved to Vergas, Minnesota. Doris affectionately remembers the fun she had as a child on Loon Lake, which is at the heart of Vergas. Ice skating, swimming and other water activities were some of the highlights she fondly remembers. Villa Life 101 Years Young Villa St. Vincent Celebrating Doris has appreciated living at The SUMMIT Assisted Living for the past 14 years. When she moved in she was still driving and was able to come and go as she pleased. At the time she moved in, her husband Bill was receiving nursing home Doris Albright 13 Villa Life Villa St. Vincent 218.281.3424 • Toll Free 1-800-208-1342 Dorothy (Cornelius) Helgeson was born March 21, 1917 to Norwegian immigrant parents Tom and Petra Cornelius. Dorothy was one of nine children, all born and raised right here in Crookston. Dorothy is proud of her Norwegian heritage! Just ask her about it and her eyes sparkle! Dorothy’s mother did not want her children speaking Norwegian. Instead, she wanted them to speak English so they would “fit in.” Dorothy used to be an avid baker and to date she is still well known for making the best pies and cookies. She is also a talented knitter and has helped other young knitters learn the technique. Just about every one of her family members has an afghan hand crafted by Dorothy. She still keeps her needles clicking making potholders and dishcloths for friends and family. They had one daughter, Donna Mae (Helgeson) Ulseth. Dorothy was employed at various jobs throughout the Crookston area. She is most remembered for working at local gift shops and drug stores. During her time there, she was asked to train many young people. They still remember the advice she gave them on how to correctly treat the customers. Dorothy has often been referred to as “the best clerk in Crookston.” Being young at heart, Dorothy did not retire until she was 81. Her smile, kindness and caring demeanor brought much joy to many customers throughout the years. Minnesota, Dothan, Alabama and Dover, Ohio. Through her travels Dorothy touched many lives with her gentle and sincere spirit. Dorothy is thrilled with the care she receives at Villa St. Vincent, not only viewing it as a health care facility, but also as a home that While Milt was serving at values family, relationships, On December 23, 1939, Dorothy Camp Rucker during the Korean quality care, and individual married Milton (Milt) Helgeson. Conflict, Dorothy lived in St. Paul, centered services. Dorothy came to live at Villa St. Vincent in October 2006. She is proud of the fact that her grand daughter, Cheryl Perala, is a veteran home health care attendant at The SUMMIT Assisted Living apartments (part of the Villa St. Vincent campus) and has worked for The Villa organizations for 30 plus years. Dorothy’s great-grandson, David Perala, is a LPN and his wife, Samantha Perala, is a certified nursing assistant. Both of them are also employed at The Villa. Dorothy’s daughter Donna, recently had knee surgery, and as part of her follow up recovery, she chose Villa St. Vincent’s Rehabilitation Therapy Department for outpatient therapy. Donna was pleased with the services she received and the speedy recovery she experienced. David Perala (LPN and Grandson) Dorothy Helgeson 14 Cindy Hulst (LSW) Dorothy Helgeson Villa St. Vincent/The Summit 516 Walsh Street Crookston, MN 56716-2757 218.281.3424 • www.villastvincent.com