Living the Aloha Spirit - Life Care Centers of America

Spring 2014, Vol. 11, No. 2
A publication of Life Care Centers of America
Living the Aloha Spirit:
National Nursing Home Week 2014
Mountain States Division’s
Parkinson’s Program Coordinator
Shares Big Ideas Worldwide
PAGE 7
PAGE 5
Life Care Center of Hixson
Helps Community Live Well
PAGE 9
A message from the president
How Big Is Your Dream?
Barry Merritt of Toledo, Ohio, tells a story of
his playing days in Little League Baseball.
The coach had a picnic at the beginning of
the season. After the team had consumed hot
dogs and hamburgers, he gave a pep talk.
“How many of you have a dream to one day
play in the major leagues?” he asked. Almost
every hand shot up.
“Every kid believed his could do it,” Merritt
said. “You could see it in their eyes.”
Taking note of the response, the coach
declared, “If that is to happen, that dream
begins now.”
The team was so inspired
that it practiced hard
and played hard and
went undefeated
for the next few
years. All-star
teams from
other leagues
played them
and lost.
Years later,
when Merritt
became a coach,
he brought his
youngsters together to
give them the same pep
talk.
“But when I asked, ‘How many of you
have a dream to one day play in the major
leagues?’ not one hand went up. Not one kid
believed he could do it. I was speechless.”
The rest of his talk was meaningless, he said.
“Really? Nobody? Well, get your gloves and
let’s throw.”
Merritt confessed that he thought about that
day for a long time. “What had happened in the
25 years since I was a kid? What had come into
their lives to steal their dreams? What had
convinced them they would never be more than
they were?”
Those are probing questions – for us as a
society and for us individually. Perhaps the 21st
century drift is toward entitlements and “what
the world owes me,” instead of, as President
John Kennedy proclaimed: “Ask not what your
country can do for you – ask what you can do
for your country.”
All great things in the world start with a
dream. The size of your success will depend on
the size of your dream.
A frail man called Gandhi, clad only in a loin
cloth, became a driving force in India that
shook the might of the British
Empire. A nun started a small
order with 12 others that
grew into Missionaries
of Charity. Mother
Teresa and her
order helped
more numbers
of people across
the globe than
many others put
together ever
did. The list goes
on and on.
So let’s make it
more personal. How
many of you believe you can
make your nursing center the
facility of choice – in your community, in your
state, in the entire country?
Is your hand up? How big is your dream?
Sincerely,
OUR COVER MODELS:
Left to right: John Dean, MA
CCC-SLP, Parkinson’s Program
Coordinator for the Mountain
States Division; Hope Engel, PT
DPT, Outpatient Manager at Life
Care Center of Longmont, Colo.;
Steve DeBelle, Executive Director
at Life Care Center of Longmont;
and Juli McKay, Director of Rehab
Services at Life Care Center of
Longmont
Photo by Steve Peterson
www.stevepeterson.tel
is published quarterly by
Life Care Centers of America
P.O. Box 3480
Cleveland, Tennessee 37320
Forrest L. Preston
Founder and Chairman
Beecher Hunter
President
Bob Grayson
Beecher Hunter
Vice President of The Media Center
and Art Director
Leigh Atherton
Director of Public Relations
and Editor
Tanya Bumgardner
Newsletter Coordinator
and Associate Editor
Jonathan Golden
Graphic Designer
All correspondence should be
addressed to the Associate Editor.
Features
the Aloha Spirit: National Nursing
5 Living
Home Week 2014
7
Mountain States Division’s Parkinson’s Program
Coordinator Shares Big Ideas Worldwide
9
Life Care Center of Hixson Helps Community
Live Well
InEveryIssue
3 Life Care Connections
13 Whatever It Takes And Then Some Highlights
14 Resident Voices: What was the best day
“
InsideLifeCare
of your life?
”
11
47 Life Care Facilities Named Best Nursing Homes
by U.S. News & World Report
12
Heritage Healthcare Goes Back to High School
High School p.12
National Nursing Home Week p. 5
Hixson p. 9
Parkinson’s p. 7
Doerhoff Named Vice President of Life Care’s Central Division
Life Care Centers of America
recently appointed Eric Doerhoff as
vice president of its Central Division.
In this position, Doerhoff now
oversees Life Care’s 35 facilities
in Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and
Nebraska. Doerhoff began his new
duties on April 1, 2014.
Doerhoff most recently served as
regional vice president for Life Care’s
Missouri Region, one of four regions
in the Central Division.
Before coming to Life Care,
Doerhoff served for four years as
director of operations for 11 Golden
Living buildings in Missouri. Prior to
that appointment, he was the senior
health care consultant for BKD, LLP,
a nationwide public accounting and
advisory firm in Springfield, Mo., for
five years.
With 15 years of experience in
long-term care, Doerhoff is a respected
author and speaker in the industry.
Doerhoff has been actively involved
with the American Health Care
Association and the Missouri Health
Care Association. He currently serves
as a member at large on MHCA’s
Board of Directors. He is also serving
his second consecutive term as
chairman of the MHCA Payment
for Services Committee and second
term as co-chairman of the Legislative
Committee.
Originally from St. Elizabeth,
Mo., Doerhoff earned his master’s
degree in business administration
with a concentration in health care
administration from Missouri State
University. He earned his bachelor’s
degree in biological sciences from the
University of Missouri.
New Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau Building Open for Business
Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau,
Mo., has officially opened its brandnew building to the community.
The grand opening celebration
began with a VIP reception on
Feb. 20, 2014. The mayor of Cape
Girardeau, along with civic leaders,
physicians, hospital leadership and
other health care providers assisted
with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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The new 75,000-square-foot
building is licensed for 120 beds,
including 70 private and 25
semiprivate rooms. All rooms have
their own showers and flat-screen
TVs, as well as in-wall oxygen and
suctioning/vacuum services.
The facility features a 4,000 squarefoot rehab gym, a physical therapy
courtyard, a putting green, a library,
a private dining room, a beauty salon,
three day rooms, four courtyards and
an ice cream parlor.
Facilities Receive New Whatever It Takes And Then Some Materials
On March 21, 2014, packages
containing new Whatever It Takes
And Then Some materials were
shipped to all facilities. Each package
contained a fresh stock of buttons,
an updated brochure explaining the
program, new award certificates, new
nomination boxes, inserts for the
front of the boxes, and nomination
forms. Additional materials can be
ordered from the corporate Shipping
Department. Future mailings will
cover: an introduction of the WOW!
Moments program, an updated
Customer Comment Form, and
the new customer service training
program.
Fit for Life 2014 Contest Now Underway
The 2014 Fit for Life contest is now underway, giving
all associates a chance to put their names in a drawing for
cash prizes. The grand prize is $2,500, second place is $750
and third place is $500. Associates can enter by counting
their steps with a pedometer or converting exercise to steps.
Steps can then be submitted to the Wellness Committee by
the fifth of each month. For more information, contact the
Wellness Committee at [email protected] or by visiting
the Wellness page on the Village Square.
Show
Us Your
Steps . . .
And We’ll
Show You
the Money!
Step your way to mo
re
green in your pocke
t with our 2014 St
eps
Grand Prize: ......
...
.... $2500
Second Place: ........
.................... $750
Third Place: ............
...................$500
Contest!
Official rules and
details can be
found
on Village Sq
uare under We
llness, or
see your facility
Fit for Life tea
m
me
mber
or Executive Dir
ector.
STEPSPROGRA
M
WELLNESSFAIR
A FIT FO
R LIFE P
ROGRAM
A FIT FO
R LIFE P
ROGRAM
STEPSPROGRAM
A FIT FO
R LIFE P
ROGRAM
WELLNESSFAIR
A FIT FO
R LIFE P
ROGRAM
SP TLIGHTONHEAL
A
4
Aloha is more than just a greeting. It is a feeling that encompasses
kindness, compassion, unity and patience. National Nursing Home Week
2014 honors those residents who embody these traits. Here are four
residents who are living the aloha spirit in their facilities.
Anna Comeau, a 92-year-old resident
at Life Care Center of Post Falls, Idaho,
lives to bless others.
“Anna truly lives the reflection of
a devotion to her faith,” said Terri
Robinson, director of activities.
“Humility, faith and kindness just exude
out of her.”
Comeau’s life, despite many
hardships, overflows with her love, faith
and tenderness toward others. Comeau
served as a caretaker for family
members throughout her life. She also
taught, volunteered at a spiritual retreat
center and never abandoned her faith
or service to others.
“My first interest is my faith,” Comeau
shared. “That gives me inner and
outer strength. Then comes my love for
people. I love people, especially my
dear family and friends, and I have so
many friends here.”
At the facility, Comeau spends time
visiting residents’ rooms, inviting others
to help her put together puzzles and
attending faith functions.
5
Helen McCaffrey
Life Care Center of Elyria, Ohio
HELEN MCCAFFREY
ANNA COMEAU
Anna Comeau
Life Care Center of Post Falls, Idaho
Helen McCaffrey, an 83-year-old
resident at Life Care Center of Elyria,
Ohio, lives the aloha spirit daily.
Her kindness comes from her past. By
opening her home to neighborhood
children and stray pets, McCaffrey
earned the nickname “Neighborhood
Babysitter.”
The same spirit exudes from
McCaffrey today, starting with her
bright smile. She is president of
the Resident Council and always
helps others with planned activities.
McCaffrey puts other residents before
herself in facility outings, saying, “Take
someone else; I’m fine.”
Associates trust McCaffrey for her
honest opinions and often seek her
counsel. McCaffrey is known in the
facility for her patient nature. She
considers residents, associates and
even residents’ families to be her family.
McCaffrey helps make welcome
packets for new residents, and is
known for sending handwritten cards
to others.
“I talk to people when they seem
down,” said McCaffrey. “I do these
things naturally. It’s just what I do.”
Richard Griesheimer, a 69-year-old
resident at Life Care Center of Sullivan,
Mo., extends the spirit of aloha to all
who come to the facility.
Griesheimer’s positivity has caught on
among residents and associates, and
his imaginative stories about a mouse
named Squeaky and his rodent family
bring many a smile to those with a
moment to listen.
Whenever Griesheimer meets new
residents, he introduces himself.
“I tell them my name and what my
pastimes are,” Griesheimer said. “I
don’t talk religion to them, or politics. I
show them around and tell them about
when I was growing up.”
Griesheimer doesn’t stop there; he
presents new residents and associates
with a welcoming gift – a felt picture
he has colored himself.
Martin Robinson
Life Care Center at Inverrary
in Lauderhill, Fla.
MARTIN ROBINSON
RICHARD GRIESHEIMER
Richard Griesheimer
Life Care Center of Sullivan, Mo.
Martin Robinson, a resident at Life
Care Center at Inverrary in Lauderhill,
Fla., demonstrates the aloha spirit
through his devotion to his wife and
compassion for others.
From the time he awakes till he goes
to bed, Robinson is determined to bring
happiness and joy into the lives of his
fellow residents and his wife, Ruby,
being the facility’s storyteller, filling the
halls with his baritone voice and acting
as the facility’s greeter.
“If I can help someone who is having
a bad day and cheer them up, it makes
me feel good,” said Robinson.
His motivation to be the honest, kind
and patient man he is today is his wife
of 35 years. Robinson has the same
passion for Ruby as the day he first met
her, always kissing her good night and
having a sparkle in his eyes.
6
Photo by Steve Peterson | www.stevepeterson.tel
Mountain States Division’s
Parkinson’s Program
Coordinator Shares
Big Ideas Worldwide
By Heidi Tompkins, Life Care Public Relations
The Parkinson’s team at Life Care Center of Longmont, Colo.
John Dean, a certified speech-language
pathologist, is the Parkinson’s program
coordinator for Life Care Centers of
America’s Mountain States Division.
He has not only helped launch a
network of interdisciplinary Parkinson’s
rehabilitation programs at facilities in
Colorado and Wyoming, but has also shared
about the successes of Life Care’s Parkinson’s
network at conferences around the world.
We asked Dean about the program, his
travels and the international impact that
Life Care’s program is having.
What got you interested in addressing
Parkinson’s disease specifically?
All neurodegenerative diseases are awful,
but as a therapist, I believe there is more
I can do for people who have Parkinson’s
disease than with any other progressive
neurological disease.
There is a growing body of research
on the benefits of different physical,
occupational and speech therapy
interventions for Parkinson’s, and I saw
the potential to build a program using an
interdisciplinary approach that had strong
research and good outcomes.
7
Parkinson’s disease is almost a “spectrum
disorder,” meaning there is a wide
variability of symptoms and issues among
people with the disease, so having a large
program that works with a lot of different
people with Parkinson’s diagnoses has real
and tangible benefits to the people we are
serving.
What were some of your best resources
in developing the Parkinson’s specialty
program?
I modeled our program on Park
Net in the Netherlands, a network
of 64 Parkinson’s disease rehab teams
strategically placed throughout that
country. Their vision is to provide
widespread access to Parkinson’s disease
experts, and that aligned very closely with
what I was hoping to develop.
The members of that program, from the
leadership and researchers to the clinicians,
have been very accommodating, openly
sharing all types of information about
their approach, even inviting me to their
country to give a presentation and learn
more about their program.
The Allied Team Training Program
from the National Parkinson’s Foundation
has been an excellent fit for our model
as well. This is an intensive program that
combines general Parkinson’s education
with discipline-specific training.
What results did you see once the
program was implemented at the
Longmont facility?
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s
disease (yet), it’s possible to address many
of the core problems. And, if we can start
early enough and keep aggressively treating
problems as they show up, I believe it’s
possible to slow down the progression
of the disease and help to eliminate or
minimize the end stages of the disease.
I just saw a woman the other day who
provides an apt anecdote. When she was
first diagnosed more than 23 years ago,
there was nothing in Longmont – no
resources, no doctors and certainly no
Parkinson’s program. We’ve managed to
improve her quality of life and help keep
her safe as her disease continues.
How did the program spread to
the other buildings in our current
Parkinson’s Network?
In 2012, the Parkinson’s program
at Life Care Center of Longmont
became recognized as Life Care’s first
Rehabilitation Centers of Excellence
specialty program for Parkinson’s disease.
This allowed us to take our model and
distribute it to other rehabilitation
programs at Life Care facilities around the
state.
What was the first conference at which
you shared about the network?
My first major presentation about
our program was in June 2011, when I
presented a poster at the 15th International
Conference on Parkinson’s Disease and
Related Disorders in Toronto, Canada,
for the International Movement Disorder
Society (now the International Parkinson’s
and Movement Disorder Society).
Where are some of the other places
you have been since then?
I have traveled to Ireland, Portugal, the
Netherlands, Montréal and Switzerland.
In the U.S., I have given presentations in
Washington, D.C., Phoenix, New York
City, Cincinnati and Chattanooga. I also
present frequently throughout Colorado
on a wide number of topics.
How do you feel overall about the
success of the program you helped start?
I feel blessed to have this once-ina-lifetime opportunity to build our
interdisciplinary Parkinson’s rehab
network. I believe we are making a
difference every day in our patients’ lives at
every one of our buildings.
Because we have such a large presence
around the country, we are optimally
positioned to use our network and
resources to bring top-quality treatment
for Parkinson’s disease and related
disorders to many previously underserved
areas. I believe that fits directly within our
mission as an organization, and I couldn’t
be happier with the support I have been
given.
The Parkinson’s Network at
Life Care Centers of America
Fourteen facilities in the Mountain States Division have joined efforts to create a network
of interdisciplinary Parkinson’s rehabilitation programs throughout Colorado and into
Wyoming. These facilities have teams that include their on-site physicians, nursing staff and
therapists. The members of each interdisciplinary team at these facilities have had extensive
training in top Parkinson’s treatment programs, such as LSVT Global’s LSVT™ BIG and LOUD™,
and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!), as well as the Allied Team Training Program.
Offered by the National Parkinson’s Foundation, ATTP is a three-and-a-half-day training in
interdisciplinary Parkinson’s team development and is the same training provided at NPFrecognized Parkinson’s centers of excellence around the world. Together, they are making a
significant impact on those in their communities who struggle with Parkinson’s, helping their
patients experience exciting successes.
The Parkinson’s Network in the Mountain States is just the beginning. Other Life Care
facilities are joining together to create a vast network of Parkinson’s therapy programs across
the country. In fact, this past March, the NPF hosted their ATTP training in Chattanooga, and
16 Life Care facilities from around the country attended. A number of facilities in Tennessee,
Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina are currently forming a second network in the Eastern
Division.
Here are some highlights from the Parkinson’s programs in five facilities.
Life Care Center of Aurora
With the help of the AlterG® Anti-Gravity
Treadmill®, Life Care Center of Aurora, Colo.,
is using appropriate exercise to work to create
changes in the brain to battle Parkinson’s.
Current research suggests that exercise creates
changes in the brain that may slow the
progression of Parkinson’s.
Life Care Center of Greeley
Therapists at Life Care Center of Greeley,
Colo., a Rehab Center of Excellence in
Parkinson’s rehabilitation, were recently trained
by Becky Farley, Ph.D., MS. Farley, a pioneer in
exercise interventions for those people with
Parkinson’s, trained them on her revolutionary
PWR!™ program. Life Care Center of Greeley has
also been using the LSVT LOUD program to help
those in the Greeley community regain their
voices.
Life Care Center of Longmont
Life Care’s first Rehab Center of Excellence
for Parkinson’s rehabilitation, Life Care Center
of Longmont, Colo., offers LSVT BIG and
LOUD, PWR!, SPEAK OUT® and Axial mobility
training supervised by their highly trained
therapists and clinicians. A large part of their
program includes exercise classes available
to any patient who has gone through their
Parkinson’s program as a way to give back to
the community and to help patients maintain
their abilities as much as possible.
Villa Manor Care Center
Villa Manor Care Center in Lakewood,
Colo., helps patients with walking, talking,
swallowing and performing fine motor skills in
everyday life using ATTP, LSVT BIG and LOUD,
and PWR! Many have left their treatment
program walking with improved gait and
speaking better.
Life Care Center of Littleton
Life Care Center of Littleton, Colo., has been
offering PWR!Moves™ and Nordic walking
classes to those with Parkinson’s. In these
sessions, they work on sitting and standing
balance, walking/pacing and walking using
arms and legs in a safe, exaggerated fashion to
prevent falls.
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Life Care Center of Hixson
Helps Community
Live well
By Angela Stiltner, Business Development Director at Life Care
Center of Hixson, Tenn.
Life Care Center of Hixson, Tenn.,
has found its niche. While striving
to provide excellent customer service
through rehab and nursing services
to each and every resident that
chooses our facility, we are also trying
to be a resource in the community
by providing awareness and tips on
wellness.
Mae Petty, activities director for Life
Care Center of Hixson, was hosting a
monthly event in the activities room
to educate people on different ways
to live a healthy lifestyle. To make a
bigger impact, we changed the event
name to “Live Well – A Monthly
Educational Series.” We asked our
corporate public relations department
to make fliers and postcards that we
send out monthly. We have seen an
increase in attendance and have had
a wide variety of speakers to educate
9
on topics from nutrition to exercise to
aging gracefully.
In February 2013, Director of
Rehab Services Julie Sosebee, Mae
and I were discussing events that we
could do in the community. Julie had
noticed how many rehab patients were
at a high risk for falls. She had recently
received some new information and
statistics that would be beneficial in
fall prevention, with exercise being
a large component. Mae is also a
certified tai chi instructor. With
her expertise, we would be able to
incorporate these gentle exercises into
our falls prevention program. With
this in mind, we chose fall prevention
as our Live Well topic and took it out
into the community.
Our first community class was
scheduled at the North River Civic
Center in Hixson. We had about 15
people in attendance. We designed
the falls prevention class to be highly
interactive, allowing people to ask
questions, put their names in drawings
for door prizes and participate in tai
chi, if able. We realized it is a great
opportunity to provide community
awareness while promoting our
facility. It gave us the chance to speak
with individuals about services we
provide, as well as upcoming events at
our facility.
Before this class began, I received a
phone call from Matt Galas, director
of senior adult ministries at Burks
United Methodist Church in Hixson,
who saw the event flier at the North
River Civic Center. He stated that
he had to get the falls prevention
luncheon at his church as soon as
possible. A lady at his church had
fallen the previous weekend, and this
would be a timely presentation for his
group.
After the event, Matt sent an email
to Beecher Hunter, president of Life
Care Centers of America, that said, “A
sincere thank you to your organization
for your outreach marketing approach
that inspired so many seniors in my
church yesterday.”
We continued educating in our
community at the Soddy Daisy Senior
Center, Abba’s House, Clear Creek
Church of Christ, Hixson United
Methodist Church and Seniors on
the Go. When we finished the course
at the Soddy Daisy Senior Center,
Carleena Angwin, with the Hamilton
County Health Department,
requested that Julie and Mae become
instructors with A Matter of Balance.
A Matter of Balance is an evidencebased fall prevention program
designed to reduce fear of falling and
increase activity levels among older
adults. This is an eight-week course
that we host at Life Care Center of
Hixson. We have completed our third
course and will be starting another
soon.
Life Care Center of Hixson has
also partnered with AAA and AARP
to offer CarFit, a free, interactive and
educational program that teaches
participants how to make their
personal vehicle fit them to increase
safety and mobility when they get
out on the road. We also found
out about AARP’s Driver Safety
courses and have hosted them three
times. This refresher course reminds
seniors about rules of the road while
potentially offering a savings on their
insurance upon completion of the
course. Both of these events hosted
at Life Care Center of Hixson gave
community members the chance to
visit our facility, see our hospitality
and leave with a positive outcome and
impression.
Lucien Lamontagne, nutrition
services director and executive chef,
hosts a quarterly nutrition seminar
and luncheon at the North River
Civic Center. This program, called No
Bones About It, educates the public
on healthy eating and how foods affect
our body function.
Since the implementation of these
programs, we have also started a
free monthly wellness clinic that is
open to the community. This event
has an interdisciplinary approach to
wellness. Located in our rehab gym,
participants can receive blood pressure
checks, balance and fall prevention
testing, body mass index readings,
depression and anxiety screenings,
vestibular testing for dizziness and
vertigo, grip strength testing, nutrition
screenings, medication reviews and
memory screenings. We have also
partnered with the local YMCA to
provide free pre-diabetic screenings.
The great thing about this program is
that participants can take their results
with them when they leave and show
it to their doctors.
Through some of our events, we
have seen new outpatients come to
our facility. Some of our discharged
patients and their families participate
in these events as well. While at events
in the community, we are hearing
many positive outcomes from people
who have stayed at Life Care Center
of Hixson, as well as positive feedback
about our community events.
Through these programs, we want
our community to know that we are a
resource not only while they stay here
for nursing care or rehab, but also a
resource to help them “Live Well” in
their homes.
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47 Life Care Facilities Named Best
Nursing Homes by U.S. News &
World Report
Congratulations to the 47 Life Care Centers of America facilities that were recently
names the best nursing homes for 2014 in U.S. News & World Report!
Winning facilities were chosen for their ratings through the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services – each one is listed as a five-star facility. CMS calculates the ratings
based on results of health inspections, staffing and quality measures.
Northeast
Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley
in Littleton, Mass.
Life Care Center of the North Shore
in Lynn, Mass.
Life Care Center of Plainwell, Mich.
Life Care Center of West Bridgewater, Mass.
Life Care Center of Wilbraham, Mass.
Rivergate Terrace in Riverview, Mich.
The Oaks in New Bedford, Mass.
Eastern
Central
Life Care Center of Greeneville, Tenn.
Life Care Center of Morgan County
in Wartburg, Tenn.
Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center
of Excellence in Overland Park, Kan.
Life Care Center of Burlington, Kan.
Life Care Center of LaGrange, Ind.
Life Care Center of Saint Louis, Mo.
Mountain States
Northwest
Gulf States
Alameda Oaks Nursing Center
in Corpus Christi, Texas
Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center
of Excellence in Fort Worth, Texas
Life Care Center of Plano, Texas
Renaissance Park Multi Care Center
in Fort Worth, Texas
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Alderwood Manor in Spokane, Wash.
Cascade Park Care Center in Vancouver, Wash.
Cottesmore of Life Care in Gig Harbor, Wash.
Life Care Center of Boise, Idaho
Life Care Center of Idaho Falls, Idaho
Life Care Center of Lewiston, Idaho
Life Care Center of McMinnville, Ore.
Life Care Center of Port Orchard, Wash.
Life Care Center of Port Townsend, Wash.
Life Care Center of Puyallup, Wash.
Life Care Center of Sandpoint, Idaho
Life Care Center of Valley View in Boise, Idaho
Southwest
Desert Cove Nursing Center in Chandler, Ariz.
Life Care Center of Escondido, Calif.
Life Care Center of North Glendale, Ariz.
Life Care Center of Reno, Nev.
Evergreen Nursing Home in Alamosa, Colo.
Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center
in Hilo, Hawaii
Life Care Center of Evergreen, Colo.
Life Care Center of Stonegate in Parker, Colo.
San Luis Care Center in Alamosa, Colo.
Southeast
Life Care Center of Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Life Care Center at Inverrary in Lauderhill, Fla.
Life Care Center of Melbourne, Fla.
Life Care Center of New Port Richey, Fla.
Life Care Center of Sarasota, Fla.
The Gardens Court in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Life Care Center of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Life Care Center of Yuma, Ariz.
Mountain View Care Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Heritage Healthcare Goes Back to
HIGH SCHOOL
By Stephanie Olson, Life Care Public Relations
Photos by Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier. Reprinted with permission.
Everyone has a memory or two from
high school that has stayed with them
during the years. Why not create new
memories 73 years later?
Heritage Healthcare in West
Lafayette, Ind., took residents and
guests back to 1940 as they celebrated
Rossville High School’s 73rd reunion.
Thirteen of 32 graduates from the
school’s 1940 class attended the
reunion, including resident Fran
Mansfield, 91, Vernon Cripe, 92, and
Donald Sharp, 91.
Friendship holds great value to
Mansfield, who had the idea of
coordinating the high school reunion
at Heritage Healthcare with the
help of Bonnie Anderson, activities
director. The planning of the event
took a lot of work, since there was
no list to contact graduates, but that
wasn’t a deterrent. After several phone
calls, the event was set in motion.
“Seeing the faces and the eyes of the
graduates light up as they reunited
for the first time in a while made the
event that much more enjoyable for
the associates,” said Anderson. “It was
great hearing them relive pastimes and
recall memories from high school.”
The festive reunion included a
lunch, catered by Chick-fil-A, and
a cake decorated in Rossville High
School colors, red and white, for its
attendees. Graduates and residents
then enjoyed a second senior prom,
hosted in the main dining room
with decorations and a live singer
performing songs from the 1940s.
Twice is Nice, a local used clothing
store, donated 20 prom dresses to
provide elegant formal wear for the
female attendees. Heritage Healthcare
generated excitement for the reunion
a week in advance with a prom dress
fitting.
What is a senior prom without
a traditional crowning ceremony?
Vernon Cripe and Fran Mansfield,
good friends throughout high school,
were crowned king and queen by
Anderson at the reunion. Each
was adorned with a sash and royal
headwear.
“I felt like I was back in high
school again and the envy of all that
attended,” said Mansfield. “Anytime I
can be with my classmates, regardless
of how many or where, it’s fun.”
Heritage Healthcare also crowned
Merle and Elizabeth Teel, residents
at the facility, king and queen. The
couple has been married for 47 years.
The class of 1940 celebrated its
commemorative reunion with family,
friends and other Heritage Healthcare
residents. It was evident everyone
enjoyed themselves by the looks
on their faces, and graduates have
already begun talking about their next
reunion.
12
Whatever It Takes And Then Some
Highlights
Lisa Dishong, laundry aide, Life Care
Center of Seneca, Kan.
Dishong took a resident to the
American Legion Chicken Fry on
her own time. The resident used to go
to the event with her family but was
living too far away for her family to
take her, so Dishong made her day by
helping her participate in the tradition.
Heather Seiber, certified nursing
assistant, Life Care Center
of Plainwell, Mich.
Seiber helped a resident celebrate
Valentine’s Day with his wife. With
her own money, she bought and set
Heidi Rosasco, physical therapist, Life
Care Center of Sarasota, Fla.
A former outpatient kept visiting
the therapy gym because she
was lonely. Rosasco researched
local clubs and community
exercise services for the
graduate to get involved in.
She taught her how to use
an e-reader and how to play
mahjong, and even offered
to accompany her to the first
few community events.
Lisa Green, receptionist, Life
Care Center of Rhea County in
Dayton, Tenn.
Green contacted the United
Way to build a wheelchair
ramp for a resident who
needed one in order to
go home. As a result of
her efforts and caring, the
resident didn’t have to pay
anything for the ramp, which
has enabled her to stay mobile.
Latoya Matthews, charge
nurse, Alameda Oaks Nursing
Center in Corpus Christi, Texas
Jan Willis, licensed practical nurse,
Life Care Center of Pueblo, Colo.
When a resident with dementia had to
move to a new room, she was depressed
and unhappy with the change. To
cheer her up, Willis purchased brightly
colored butterfly decorations and
different pictures to decorate the
room. The resident was happy and
settled in better.
up decorations in his room, ordered
heart-shaped doughnuts and brought
wine glasses, sparkling grape juice and
flameless candles. The couple had a
special evening thanks to her.
Chad Deines, maintenance director,
Life Care Center of McMinnville, Ore.
When a February storm dumped
several inches of snow on the roadways
one weekend, many associates could
not drive to work safely. Deines spent
13
his entire weekend driving associates
from their homes to the facility and
back to care for the residents. He went
to multiple cities, up steep roads and
was available around the clock to make
sure everyone got to work on time.
Matthews purchased a brand new
outfit, shoes and jewelry for a resident
to wear to the facility’s annual
Valentine’s party. The resident was
crowned the Duchess during the event,
and not only did Matthews provide
clothing, but she also styled her hair
for the occasion. The resident did
not have many visitors, and the extra
attention made her feel special.
Resident Voices
The best day of my life was the first time I
went out of town. I went on my first vacation
to Florida with my stepson. He took me to the
whale show. That was the only time I have ever
been on vacation in my whole life. It was so
exciting for me! We got to drive all over Florida
and see the countryside. I was 60 years old at
that time.
Virginia Gwinn, Life Care Center
of Sullivan, Mo.
In mid-1939 when I arrived in America at age
17 from the Ukraine, I was alone, spoke no
English, but my dream of coming to the “land
of the free” was realized. Seventy-five years
later, I am still celebrating America here at Life
Care Center of Hilton Head.
Ann Marchi, Life Care Center of Hilton
Head, S.C.
At Christmas time, my kids and I
went into the woods and chopped
down a tree and placed it in the
picture window and decorated it.
We were living in Gould City, Mich., I
can see that tree today just like it was
yesterday. We drug it out of the woods
all together after sawing it down.
Lorraine Jones, Life Care Center
of Hendersonville, N.C.
The best day of my life was the day my first
child was born. My labor was long, and I
didn’t enjoy it at all. But finally she was born.
The doctor handed her to me immediately, and
I was delighted to meet her and to look in her
little eyes.
Boneta Hill, Life Care Center
of Evergreen, Colo.
The Evergreen staff gave me concert tickets to
see my idol, Stevie Nicks of the band Fleetwood
Mac, at Foxwoods Casino. Dr. Reuter
volunteered to come enjoy the concert with
me. It’s a day I’ll never forget.
Earl Rogerson, Evergreen House Health
Center in East Providence, R.I.
For my high school graduation, my family
took me to the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin,
Germany. I got to see Jesse Owens win gold
medals in track and field. I also got to see
Adolf Hitler drive by us in an open car. All the
people had their arms stretched up in salute to
best day
What was the
him. My grandmother would draw her drapes
at night before it got dark because the Nazis
would be out and about. That part was kind
of scary.
Edna Muir, Valley West Health Care
Center in Eugene, Ore.
My best day was when I went to Cape Cod with
my father, and he boiled lobsters. We played in
the water. We rented a cottage, and when the
trains went by, the bed would move from side
to side in our room.
Ruth Aarons, The Gardens Court in Palm
Beach Gardens, Fla.
I have two best days. The first one was when I
went into the Marines because I was so proud.
The second one was when I got out because I
missed my family so much.
Mike McGee, Life Care Center of Coeur
D’Alene, Idaho
It’s hard to pick one day because out of 100
years, there have been so many, but my 100th
birthday party was very special.
Ruby Simpson, Life Care Center
of Brookfield, Mo.
The day I recognized my family. Everyone
came together. I saw things in them that I never
have before. We all became adults. No more
arguing.
James McGlaughlin, Cherry Hill Manor
Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
in Johnston, R.I.
My husband’s entrance to the Catholic Church
after 29 years of prayers on Feb. 17, 1973. My
husband entered the Catholic Church after 29
years of marriage. He was received at Mass.
Our seven children preceded us down the
church isle. It was such a wonderful day that
I knew what “My cup runneth over” meant.
He received four of the seven sacraments of
the Catholic Church all in one very special day.
Prayers definitely were answered.
Phyllis M. Lewallen, Life Care Center
of Casper, Wyoming
of your life?
The best day of my life was the day I reached
the summit of the Matterhorn in Zermatt,
Switzerland. It was Aug. 20, 1994, and I was
climbing the 15,000-foot mountain with my
friend Ron. The last part of the climb was icy
and difficult, so I’ll always remember the relief
and satisfaction of finally reaching the summit!
Ron Hogan, Life Care Center
of Evergreen, Colo.
When I went to Six Flags for the first time with
my family. My favorite ride was riding in a boat
that went all around the park.
Elmo Cooper, North Walk Villa
Convalescent Hospital in Norwalk, Calif.
At age 22, I used to love to fish with my uncle
who was a fisherman in Barnstable. One day,
we caught striped bass and albacore tuna, and
at night went out for giant blue fin tuna. We
caught eight that night, with the monster being
1,283 pounds.
Peter Barnes, Life Care Center
of Acton, Mass.
We were living in Montana. It was during the
winter, and it was 20 below zero. The cattle
were grazing in a new area, and we were afraid
the cattle would get lost. My husband and
family went out in the freezing cold to check
on the cattle. They all came back OK. It was
such a relief to see my family home safely.
Meradel Romain, Life Care Center
of Paradise Valley, Ariz.
When my husband stopped
buying cars.
Norma Britton, Life Care Center
of Hendersonville, N.C.
Everyone can say that the day they got married
was the best day of their life. But can everyone say
that every day after has been even better? I can!
Walter Huntington, Life Care Center
of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
14
Left to right: Forrest Preston, founder and chairman; Dr. Kenneth Scott, chief medical officer; Tweel; and Beecher Hunter, president
Heritage Award Winner
Congratulations to Dr. Charles Tweel, medical director at Mayfair Village Nursing Center in Columbus, Ohio, on winning
Life Care Centers of America’s Heritage Award. The award was given on Feb. 28, 2014, during a ceremony held at the
American Medical Directors Association annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. The award recognizes contributions to the
advancement of the art of healing, career achievement and service as an example of dedication to patients.