Life
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AT THORNE CREST
The 6 Dimensions of Wellness In Action at Thorne Crest
SPRING 2016
Grand Opening Specials on Independent Living Apartment Homes New Memory Care Area Launches
D N G A N GR ENitIion OP Ed
Welcome to the New Thorne Crest Senior Living Community And it is complete! Construction and remodeling at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community has come to an end. It has been exciting, noisy, and fun to watch the changes in the last year and a half. The incorporation of new front entrance, assisted living entrance, wellness center, pool spa, bistro, chapel, theatre and covered parking. The change in paint colors, flooring, wall coverings and updated lighting have changed the atmosphere and culture in the community. These are just a few of the benefits The New Thorne Crest to offers residents - who are more than pleased with their new home. “We have a lot to be proud of at Thorne Crest,” states Chris Schulz, Thorne Crest Administrator. “Our reputation in the Albert Lea community, positive resident
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and family satisfaction results, and now the remodeled campus. It truly is a beautiful community and home for the people we serve.” To add to the excitement Thorne Crest’s Health Center also recently received a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)! The 5star rating is awarded only after a community has demonstrated above average performance in staffing levels, quality measures, and health inspections. “Achieving this rating is very challenging and speaks volumes to the kind of people we have working at Thorne Crest,” states Robyn Wilder, Director of Nursing. “We must thank all our staff for this achievement. It truly is a group effort to maintain such a
high level of care, especially when the services we provide has steadily expanded over the years.” For more information, please view our rating online at CMS.gov or medicare.gov. It’s been a year that has seen many changes. In addition to the redevelopment of the Community Thorne Crest also went through a rebranding. Thorne Crest Retirement Community is now officially known as Thorne Crest Senior Living Community. The name change accompanied by a new logo better reflects our faith-based values and mission. The new logo incorporates bolder colors while still capturing the culture of family and home we have established at Thorne Crest.
GR OP A EN N D New Thorne Crest Theatre Ed itio IN n G Does Double Duty As Chapel
Thorne Crest’s Theatre/Chapel
Recently Thorne Crest moved their worship services to a more permanent location, the new theatre/multi-purpose space. The new area of the community has really come to life as residents gather for services and other events. “One of the best things about the new theatre space is the versatility,” states Pastor Todd Walsh. “We’ve had a group of pastors use one half the room for worship and then quickly prepare the other half for dining. The space is also ideal for showing movies and serves as meeting room for the staff.” There have also been a number of ideas from residents regarding the space. Several of the suggestions have been implemented and created a welcoming feel and enabled audience members to get close to the front, yet still allow room for those who require a wheelchair. PAGE :: 3
“I’ve also been pleased with the interior decorating of the room,” Pastor Walsh continues. “A number of residents have commented that when the theatre doors are open, the first thing they see when coming down the hall is the cross shining out of the darkness and it gives them a good feeling. In the near future we will be hanging artwork including stained glass windows. These windows are beautiful pieces of art and we are working on a method to display them that is both secure, yet allows them to be backlit and enjoyed to their fullest.” Recently the movie “Jerusalem” was shown in the theatre where the new sound system made a material difference to the residents. Everyone at the Community is looking forward to this summer when the theatre will present movies on a regular basis and host other activities
such as slide shows and educational seminars. If you would like to attend worship services with a resident of Throne Crest please feel free to join us every Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm. Periodically Thorne Crest welcomes pastors from local churches to lead services please watch for these special occasions. As for music, Thorne Crest is able to rely on a talented group of volunteers who generously give of their time and talent to make each service unique. Thorne Crest is proud of all we have to offer and we know you will not be disappointed.
ThorneCrest.net
Thorne Crest & ABHM expand memory care in response to
A GROWING DEMAND As people live longer, healthier lives, their needs for healthcare and wellness services change. Studies have shown that the older a person gets, the greater their risk for developing memory issues such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. The reality is that one in eight people age 65+ has Alzheimer’s disease and almost half of seniors 85 and older have been diagnosed with some degree of memory impairment. As the population of seniors increases dramatically every year, so does the demand for memory care services. Senior living communities all over the country are creating new memory care
facilities to keep up with demand. At Thorne Crest, part of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM), we’ve been busy with our own development projects to accommodate the growing need for memory care and now offer 9 new memory care suites. In fact, four of our fellow ABHM communities have opened new memory care centers within the last 18 months. In Denver, Mountain Vista recently unveiled a brand new building dedicated exclusively for assisted living memory care, with 22 private memory care
suites and an expanded program of support services. Nearby, The Community at Franklin Park converted the top floor into a comprehensive memory care center. Trail Ridge in Sioux Falls, South Dakota expanded its existing assisted living services to include 22 private apartments in a new dedicated memory care wing. Wisconsin’s Tudor Oaks has undergone similar expansions, offering new memory care centers and services. At Thorne Crest, our new memory care center provides a safe and comforting environment for residents living with concerns related to memory loss. Our specially trained staff develop personalized care plans and activity programs to meet the unique needs of each resident. Thorne Crest’s memory care programs is based on our commitment to caring for the whole person and address each of the six dimensions of wellness. Families can be assured their loved one is safe and living to their greatest potential as a resident of Thorne Crest’s memory care center. “It was hard to admit my mom needed memory care,” one family member shared. “It was more difficult for me to move my mom than it was for her to actually make the move. We are so relieved because she is so happy and having fun again.”
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The Six Dimensions of Wellness in Action Whole person wellness is one of the core principles of Thorne Crest and ABHM’s mission, “to create healthy Christian communities that empower older adults. We provide choices for housing, services, and technology that enrich body, mind, and spirit.” One way our mission is carried out is through the Six Dimensional Model of wellness developed by the National Institute of Wellness. The categories of social, vocational, spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional wellness help guide many of the decisions we make regarding the services, opportunities, and environment that enable our residents to reach their optimal state of wellness. At Thorne Crest, we actively renew our commitment to wellness with programs and activities designed to promote the six dimensions throughout daily life.
Vocational
Thorne Crest encourages residents to stay socially connected both in and out of the community. A family-friendly campus makes it easy to maintain family bonds, while community events such as holiday parties and day trips foster strong social ties amongst residents in the community.
Occupational
Personal fulfillment can be found through continuing to engage in
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learning, work, and volunteering throughout one’s lifetime. Thorne Crest residents have plenty of opportunities to showcase talents and learn new skills. Leah Atz, Thorne Crest Wellness Director states, “residents attend education seminars and presentations hosted at here at the Community. Topics range from financial and historical to crafting demonstrations, where residents are often involved in the presentation.”
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Thorne Crest offers exercise classes at all levels of care. Each class is designed to help improve or maintain resident’s independence. This is done through land and pool based exercises focusing on balance, strength, flexibility and coordination utilizing balance disks/pads, dumbbells, weighted balls, resistance bands and other items. Classes also involve socializing with other resiContinued on page 7:
Spiritual
In 2011, ABHM set out to cultivate a more robust Spiritual Services program for residents. Thorne Crest and the other ABHM communities adopted the Association of Professional Chaplains’ Standards of Practice for Professional Chaplains in Long-Term Care, which gave us a template for establishing consistent programs in each community. Today, ABHM has chaplains at every community, and we continue to expand and improve our spiritual programs.
Physical
ABHM V.P. of Quality and Program Development Tim O’Brien says, “Being physically well gives us independence, confidence, and allows us to do the things we enjoy.” To help residents feel their best, ABHM has dedicated space to fitness areas and wellness activities in every community.
ThorneCrest.net
Thorne Crest Resident Spotlight:
Bernice (Tom) Thompson
Bernice (Tom) Thompson has been a resident of Thorne Crest for nearly seven years. During her career she worked as a kindergarten teacher for 40 years, spending 33 of those at Hawthorne School just across the street from Thorne Crest. Tom always knew someday she would like to live at Thorne Crest, and shortly after her longtime roommate passed away, she decided it was time to make the move. Something Tom appreciates about Thorne Crest is the location where she can see and be close to the school where she spent so much of her life. Tom is remembered fondly by many of her former students as well as many of their parents! One of her favorite things to do is to reach out to people on special occasions and holidays. This past Easter she sent out 145 Easter cards, and about the same number for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and of course birthdays. Gifts are also something she greatly enjoys giving. She recently said with a laugh, “the flower shop and I are good friends.” Sue Callahan, Thorne Crest HR Director says of Tom, “She really is such a thoughtful person, she knows just how to brighten someone day.” Tom has a sister who lives in California with her family and grandchildren, whom Tom has “adopted” over the years. She loves to keep up with her 9
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“pseudo” grandchildren and feels the same sense of pride regarding their accomplishment as if they were her own grandchildren. Since moving to Thorne Crest Tom has kept up with her hobbies and even picked up a few new ones. She enjoys reading, Gospel music, playing cards, going out to dinner and attending events in town. Tom also is a big “collector.” It’s a treat walking through her apartment looking at all her collections and the stories connected to each one. When it comes to Minnesota sports Tom, like many residents, is an avid fan of the Vikings and Twins, and enjoys watching the games with residents and friends. When Tom moved to Thorne Crest, to her surprise, she met the love of her life. She says, “Who knew it would happen when I was 86.” She and Les enjoyed a number of years to-
gether at Thorne Crest before his passing. Today, Tom maintains a busy social schedule made more convenient by living in a senior community. Each day Tom meets friends around the community or takes a short walk to visit those in the health center, and due to the various levels of care offered at Thorne Crest, she never has to leave the community. When asked what she likes most about Thorne Crest she has a long list. “The people all become like family to me. And I like the size, not too big, not too small. I especially like that I can continue to be independent while knowing that if I ever needs help, it’s available to me.” Tom continues, “The staff is great—always so pleasant and always concerned with how we are doing. Oh, and the renovations, I just love them! Thorne Crest is just a beautiful and very caring place!”
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dents as well as trivia to help stimulate the mind. Another popular activity is Wii bowling. Residents gather weekly to play and compete against each other. Independent Living Apartment Homes
Thorne Crest Offering Grand Opening Sales Special On New Independent Living Apartment Homes For a limited time take advantage of Thorne Crest independent living apartment GRAND OPENING promotional offer. Save up to $25,000, plus the added bonus of a new 100% refundable entry fee option. Moving to a retirement community is one of the most important decisions people can make for themselves or their family, and is an exciting new chapter in life. Independent living residents of Thorne Crest are able to create their own home by selecting from a wide variety of fits and finishes, cabinetry and appliances, to enjoy in their new, beautifully designed apartment home. They also have the option of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in a variety of floor plans and sizes. Should your health care needs change over time, Thorne Crest offers Assisted Living and 24 hour care at the Health Center or TCU. And with the recent completion of our redevelopment we now offer Memory Care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Whatever style of home you choose, rest assured Thorne Crest offers you the amenities and services designed to complement your lifestyle and give you the freedom you deserve. Now is the time to enjoy rewards you have worked for. For over 40 years, Thorne Crest has offered seniors the ability to create a lifestyle of their choosing. Talk with one of our senior living advisors to create a plan that works for you.
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Mental
Continuing to engage and challenge our mind with creative and intellectual pursuits as we age is vital to our wellbeing, helping to cultivate self-fulfillment and satisfaction. Thorne Crest residents enjoy visits to community art galleries, participating in book clubs and crafting activities, and gathering for musical and educational events.
Emotional
For some people, aging can come with a variety of intense emotional and lifestyle changes that cause stress. It’s important to have a compassionate support system in order to maintain emotional health and stability during challenging periods. Thorne Crest staff, social workers, chaplain, and fellow residents all come together to create a supportive community that offers the freedom, comfort, and security that sustain us through life’s emotional moments. In promoting the six dimensions of wellness at Thorne Crest, we hope that our residents recognize the interconnectedness of wellness within the community. By living out the full potential of each dimension in their own lives, residents contribute to an environment and social network that supports wellness for the entire community.
ThorneCrest.net
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Marketing Plus
1201 Garfield Avenue Albert Lea, MN, 56007 Phone 507-373-2311 ThorneCrest.net
Thorne Crest Senior Living Community is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a not-for-profit provider of senior health care since 1930.
Life
AT THORNE CREST
SPRING 2016
Thorne Crest is a faith-based, not-for-profit senior living community. Our mission is to create healthy Christian communities that empower older adults. We provide choices for housing, services, and technology that enrich body, mind and spirit.
E the t! V O L s l You’l horne Cre T New
Construction is complete, and you are invited to our Big 10-Day
GRAND OPENING! Join us from
JOIN US FOR 10 BIG DAYS OF: ★TOURS ★REFRESHEMENTS ★ENTERTAINMENT ★DOOR PRIZES!
April 20th–30th 2:00-4:00pm any day!
★SAVE Up to $25,000*on your New Independent Living Apartment Home ★NEW 100% Refundable* contract option!
GRAND OPENING OFFER!
★NEW Wellness Center with Pool, Spa, Lounge & Patio ★NEW Bistro, Theatre, Chapel, Parking Garage ★Newly Renovated Assisted Living, Memory Care, Health Center & TCU 1201 Garfield Ave, Albert Lea • MN 507-373-2311 • www.ThorneCrest.net
*Limited time Grand Opening Promotion offer valid until 6-1-16.