Residents participate in a fitness program at Old Main Village. | John Cross called Alterra, later acquired by Brookdale Senior Living, as an executive director. I then became a regional director of operations and eventually a regional sales manager with Brookdale. I left the industry for a few years and am very happy to have returned. MM:When did you come to Old Main Village and what attracted you to the position? HR: I joined Old Main Village as the executive director in August 2013 and I was familiar with The Goodman Group, a leading national senior living and health care company, due to my work with Rasmussen College. I had always wanted to return to the industry and when the position became available, I knew it was the right decision. Assisted living is home to me. It’s where my heart is and has always belonged. I was so excited to be able to work in such a wonderful, historic setting and to be able to lead an amazing team in the exceptional care provided to our residents. I was also drawn to our company, as it has developed many distinct, industry-leading programs. Old Main Village, like all of our managed communities, provides Platinum Service, a customer-centered service philosophy. The core content of the program came from a representative team of staff members from the communities we manage and was developed with Horst Schultze, who created the customer service program at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The program encompasses 20 standards that enable us to consistently provided unparalleled service. MM: What does a typical day entail for you? HR: Is there such a day? The day begins with our morning “stand up” meeting in which we cover our Platinum Service Standard of the day and provide department head updates. From there, it could be some office work, assisting in various areas of the building as needed (marketing, life enrichment, dining, etc.) and of course meeting with residents, families and staff as the day progresses. I keep my door open at all times, unless I am having a confidential conversation and I love when residents come to my office to visit.
are so many different options for this service in our area. The best way that I can describe assisted living is an environment that provides assistance with activities of daily living to residents that are not able to complete these tasks completely independently. For example, the setup and administration of medications, providing support and help during a shower, or help while getting dressed or undressed. Different assisted-living communities provide different levels of support – for example a “twoperson” transfer in which two caregivers are required to help transfer a resident from their bed to a wheel chair, or incontinence management. Not all senior living communities offer the same levels of support, which is great in that we all work together in order to provide the safest and most supportive environment possible for what the resident needs. MM: Of course, the Mankato area has several assistedliving options. What qualities distinguish Old Main Village? HR: Our setting is truly unique and our history is very well-known as being a part of Minnesota State University. No two apartments are alike in our building and so many of our residents have ties to MSU, either as faculty or through family. In fact, one of our residents actually lives in her classroom – her apartment is located in the same place she used to teach. And, we are the only assisted-living community in Mankato that offers a heated pool and hot tub for our residents and their families, and even to the community via our partnership with VINE. MM: What do you think are the greatest challenges or changes in regard to assisted-living facilities? HR: I think as we see more baby boomers retire, the expectation for assisted-living communities will definitely change. People want options and choices, and to maintain their independence and lifestyle for as long as they possibly can. Life enrichment programs will need to focus on meaningful and purposeful activities and communities will need to be designed in order to accommodate the lifestyles that people have come to expect in their own homes. MM: What’s it like to operate in a facility with so much historical tradition and local significance? HR: It is a privilege and an honor to work at Old Main Village. I am an MSU grad myself, but of course the college was all on top of the hill at that time. To walk the halls, to see the architecture that has been maintained and to see what the building has become is very powerful. MM: What do you enjoy most about your work? HR: I can’t really think of an aspect I don’t enjoy. The residents make my life so full of purpose and meaning. It is a privilege to work in their home each and every day, and to do my part to ensure that they receive the best quality of life possible. M
MM: As an “assisted-living” facility, what does that term mean? Can you sketch the services and care Old Main Village provides? HR: Assisted living can be a very confusing term, as there MANKATO MAGAZINE • may 2014 • 11