2016 Winter Newsletter - Augustana Regent

Augustana Regent
at Burnsville
New Emergency Response System
Augustana Regent received approval from
HUD to upgrade our emergency response
system. The Regent is working with CMA to
design and install a fully functional wireless
nurse call system throughout the entire
building, including the garage. The
pendants will alert staff when pressed
wherever the residents are located.
Each resident apartment will be equipped
with an emergency pull cord station and a
red button station to be used as an “I’m OK”
check. These systems are similar to our
current call system. In addition, everyone
open to home care, will receive a voice
communicator that will connect via the
phone jack to the residents phone. The
voice communicator will provide voice
communication between the resident and
the care giver allowing them to better
prioritize call lights, as well as to arrive at
the apartment with the necessary supplies/
equipment or the appropriate staff to
address the call light.
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Housing and Services Bridging
Program
Imagine moving into a senior living community
where you can enjoy life and find a range of
services that suit your needs. Now imagine
that after a couple years, your assets are
nearly gone and you’re worried you’ll have to
move again.
You may also have a friend at Augustana
Regent whose assets are running low. When
you suggest an outing for lunch or shopping,
she declines. The last time you stopped by,
you noticed her refrigerator was almost
empty. The fact is, she can’t afford much food
and can barely pay rent because her savings
are dwindling – and she doesn’t know where
to turn.
It is no secret that more and more older adults
are finding themselves in situations like this.
Augustana goal is for all residents to receive
care and services so they can thrive,
regardless of economic circumstances – and
no one has to leave due to financial hardship.
If you would like to come learn more about the
Bridging Program, please join us on January
19th at 2 PM. If you are of need of assistance
now or in the future, we want to make you
aware of the program. Also, for Augustana to
continue its tradition of fostering fullness of life
for older generations and others in need,
Augustana Care relies on the generous
contributions of others, so please join us to
find out how you might help support this
program.
Augustana Regent
at Burnsville
January 2016
Another year has come and gone and a new one about to start. I hope this New Year brings you Joy, Peace,
and Good Health to All. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to share with family and friends and give
thanks to the Lord for the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. We continue to focus on our residents’
quality of life and make changes that are consumer focused. In 2015, we had some great accomplishments:
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In May, we received our new bus through the MN Department of Transportation 5310 Grant program.
This was a project two years in the working.
Upgraded our emergency response system to one with two way communication capability.
We rose over $17,000 from our 2015 Holiday Tree Festival, which will be used to purchase TV monitors
for our main lobby and Mezzanine areas and for our Memorial Garden we are designing. Thanks to
everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.
We launched a new website this year, which offers a lot of helpful information for families and friends –
literature regarding our four programs (independent living, assisted living, memory care and care suites),
our open dining services, menus, available outside medical and personal care services, spiritual care
services, support groups, activity calendars, newsletters and photos from various events at the Regent.
We were able to access Augustana Care’s new bridging program for two of our residents to be able to
remain a resident here. Please read more about this program on page.
The start of a new year is also an excellent time to review our health and wellness programs. Activities and
Food Service continue to take an active approach to well-balanced nutritional meals and fitness goals. Our
wellness program aims to maintain good health and stop the progression of chronic illness, such as diabetes,
high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure. Our dietician, Beth Letter, is available to assisting you in
making healthy food choices. In addition, to healthy diet, regular physical activity promotes a healthy life
Style, we offer six days a week morning exercise in all of our programs – offering stretching exercises,
cardiovascular conditioning, and resistance exercises. As well as other physical activities during the day.
In 2015, we will continue to address the legislative changes that will impact our residents. The skilled nursing
facilities received a blessing this year with the rebasing of their rates. As many non-profits decide to
minimize or discontinue serving those in our community who are less fortunate, Augustana holds
fast to our mission and accept residents on waivers, but with the cuts over the last 5 – 6 years, this
is becoming more of a challenge. We could really use your assistance. If you are at all interested in
serving on our Mission Advancement Council, writing letters to your legislatures, or attending
Rallies at the State Capital, we would love to hear from you.
We strive to provide excellent customer service and offer choice for our residents. Thank you for
the opportunity to serve you. We hope you have a healthy, safe and enjoyable New Year.
Inside This Issue
Augustana Care Connection...2 Resident Spotlight….………...3 Care.Giving……………………8
New Residents & Staff……....2 The Spirit of Care……………..3 Bridging Program…......……...8
In Memoriam………………….2 Holiday Tree Festival Event.4-7
14500 Regent Lane, Burnsville, MN 55306
952-898-1910
Welcome New Residents!
Augustana Care Connection
Augustana Care is excited to share that
our health care center in Hastings will be
known as Augustana Care Hastings
Health and Rehabilitation as of
January 1, 2016. The new name better
represents our mission and focus, as
rehabilitation is a significant part of the
work we do.
The name change also reflects the fact
that the number of people who need
rehabilitation in skilled nursing centers is
increasing. In fact, short-term
rehabilitation has become more crucial to
the recovery process than ever, as
Medicare guidelines have shortened
hospital stays.
Rehabilitation serves as a bridge between
hospital and home to promote faster,
more long-lasting healing. Augustana
Care Hastings Health and Rehabilitation
offers the services of professionals whose
primary goal is to restore patients’
strengths and abilities. To learn more or
arrange a tour, contact Britni Thompson
at 651-480-5926 or
[email protected].
Betty Bauer
Jay/Shirley Clark Karen Primola
Mary Buch
Megan Edwardh Edith Samuelson
Ruth Bernard
Beverly Huneke
Sue Smith
Kay Carlson
Lois Palm
Marcy Soderholm
Welcome New Staff!
John Akonkoh
Makayla
Rachel Simba
Emmanuel
Ajuay
Tina Hgyen
Awet Solomon
Karen Douglass Joyce Okindo
Ahmed Songa
Melissa Grassl
Jared Onchoke
Nick Twara
Jane Hubbard
Kaitlyn Prazuch
In Memoriam
Robert Cesarek
Joyce Kindem Veronica
Smude
Dolores Dahlgren
Jim Maggi
Florence Johnson Belva
Scarbough
Marguerite
Taylor
Alan Wisdorf
Inez Vancura
Volunteers,
the Regent Welcomes You!
We have openings for more
wonderful volunteers of all
ages! Meet our lovely
residents. The act of giving
is so rewarding. Please
contact Jodi Chan at
952-898-8757 if you are
interested in this enlightening opportunity—here are
some examples: Bingo, Outings, 1 to1 visits,
Entertainment, Special Events, serving on Mission
Advancement Council Member and more.
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Silent Auction & Other Donors
Abdallah Candy
American Agency In.
American Boarding Kennels
Ames Performing Arts Center Burnsville
Applebees
Bix Produce
Blue Ox Sandwich Factory
BrightStar Care
Brunswick Zone
BUCA DiBeppo
Burnsville Senior Center
Buzz Coffee & Café
Byerly's
Canterbury Park
Carefree Aquarium Services
Caribou Coffee
Cedarvale Lanes
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Chic-Fil-A
Marie Christianson
City of Burnsville
Cole's Salon For You
Cookie Lee
Costco
Crosstown Liquor
D'Alta Jewelry
Lee Duerschmidt
ECM Publishers/Sun This Week
Emerald Crest
Ernies Pub & Grille
Finish Line Wellness
Flowerama
Floyd Total Security
Judy Freudenberg
Grainger Industrial Supply
Great Clips - IMAX
Great Harvest Bread
Grainger Industrial Supply
Great Clips—IMAX
Diane Harayda
Great Harvest Bread
Home Depot
Honey Baked Ham
Fran Huntermann
Jensen’s
Debe Kot
Louisville Lanes
Ed Loy
MN Landscape Arboretum
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Twins Baseball Club
Minnesota Vikings
Morgan Stanley
Mystic Lake Casino
Norstan Sanitary & Supply Co. Inc
Outback Steakhouse
PlumbMaster, Inc
Porter Creek Hardwood Grill
Red Lobster
Kathy Risser & Mary Frampton
Roasted Pear
Rocco Altobelli
Saint Paul Saints
Science Museum
Service Lighting
Senior Massage Therapy
Shepherd of the Valley Church
Sue Smith
Mike Sullivan Sales Co
Table Talk
Taylor Marie's
TGI Friday's
Three Rivers Park District
Tony's Appliance
Twin City Model Railroad Museum
Sylvia & Bill Verkuilen
Woof Dah! Inc.
Gerry Zielinski—Zielinski and
Partners
Resident Spotlight!
Tree Sponsors
Premier
Sharepoint Credit Union
GOLD
Bierman ’ s Home Furnishings
Burnsville Lion ’ s Club
Frontier Communications
Hanratty & Associates
Two Men and a Truck
SILVER
Ameripride
Communications Mid-America
Copy Right Printing
Carol Donkersgoed
Grace Hospice
Merwin’s Pharmacy
Valley Natural Foods
Vicki & Dale Tobroxen
BRONZE
Airtech Thermex
ALO Home Health Care
American Boarding Kennels
Barbara Blummer
Marie Christianson
Crosstown Liquors
Curves—Prior Lake & AV
Dakota Electric
Dick’s Sanitation
Eldermark Software
Friends of Earley Lake
Home Instead Senior Care
Joernes
Denny & Lynn Mathis
Network Medics
North Central Bus
Jan Sullivan
Mike Sullivan Sales Company
Summit at Buck Hill
Homeowners Association
Summit Shores Association
US Foods
Sharon Wilson
Susan Smith was born
and raised in
Minneapolis
Minnesota, moved to
Rosmount from 1st
grade to 12th grade.
Susan has 1 sister and
4 brothers. Her Dad was
a senior pilot for
Northwest for 37 years so she did some traveling
when she was younger.
Her favorite vacation place would have to be
“Hawaii” , she has been there 6 times.
Susan went to college for one year until she
married her husband. She met him while working
at his parents company
in St. Paul. They went
on and had 2 children,
David and Kimberly.
She currently has
4 grandchildren and
1 great grand child.
Sue has been a water
color artist for over 30
years. She started painting classes for fun, but has
been painting seriously for the last 19 years. Some
of her other hobbies include horseback riding, golf,
tennis and fishing. Sue was diagnosed with
Progressive MS in 1989 which affects her brain and
Spinal cord.
This is a joyful time of year, but for many of
us it can be quite the opposite. The
emphasis on family, friends and socializing
during holidays leaves many feeling left
out. As you read this column, someone is
sitting alone, waiting for a call that may not
come. He or she may struggle with
physical or mental health issues which
create an even deeper sense of isolation
at a time when it hurts to feel forgotten.
God brings light to the darkness in the
birth of Christ, and the darkness does not
overcome it. Bring light to someone this
Advent by a phone call, card or a visit, to
remind them how valued they are. Let
them know they are not alone. Invite them
to your favorite gathering and share a cup
of something warm. It will bring light and
warmth to another who needs to be
reminded that darkness will not overcome
light, as long as you’re there to bring God’s
radiance.
Sue moved to the Regent on September 26th
2015. Sue loves it at the Regent. She stated that
“everyone is so nice here.” Words of advice from
Sue: Learn to enjoy what is in front of you at this
very moment, don’t take anything for granted and
learn to enjoy the simple things in life.”
Thank you to all of our sponsors and silent
auction contributors for your generous donations.
Holiday Tree Festival 2015
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