2018 Winter Live More

Live More

WINTER 2018

Enjoy, explore and embrace your best life!

Camaraderie and craftsmanship at the woodwork shop

Live More Live More is published four times a year for the neighbors of Cedar Community. If you would like to add a neighbor’s name to our mailing list, please contact us at 262.338.2824.

To view Live More online, visit cedarcommunity.org/ about/news-events.

EDITOR Nicole Pretre CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carrie Sturn Nicole Pretre GRAPHIC DESIGNER Cyndi Frohmader ON THE COVER Cedar Community resident Rodney Helgeland creates vintage cars and other masterpieces at the Cedar Community Woodwork Shop.

Our mission: To model Christ’s love for humanity by creating life-enhancing relationships, | and WINTER 2018 02 services environments.

INSIDE th Embracing technology for a better life Staying on top of technological advances | 4 Social Media: Not just for your grandkids Connecting with family and friends | 5 Call monitoring system helps improve patient outcomes Technology helps prevent rehospitalizations | 6 – 7 Cedar Community receives QAPI accreditation Improving quality of care | 7 Life-saving ECG technology in the palm of your hand Technology is saving lives | 8 – 9 Managing records electronically provides coordinated patient care Better access for all team members | 9 Hidden Talents Meet the Potters | 10 Going Green at Cedar Community Protecting our natural resources | 11 Residents visit the world with interactive technology Enriching resident activities | 12

his ISSUE Intern helps bring modern musical technology to residents Sharing advances in music therapy | 13 Camaraderie and craftsmanship at the woodwork shop Creating new friendships and hobbies | 14 – 15 Software boosts staff efficiencies, controls overtime Technology provides 24/7 access | 16 – 17 Live United Making a difference in our community | 17 New sound system is music to their ears State-of-the-art sound and theatre system | 18 – 19 Keeping residents active, engaged and informed Automated system keeps residents up to date | 20 Volunteer provides tech support to residents Helping families stay connected | 21 Cedar Lodge: A beautiful new center for life enrichment Retreat and activity center for residents | 22 – 23 Out & About Events, classes and seminars you don’t want to miss | 24 – 27

Benevolent Corporation Cedar Community Officers Joan Adler, President Kathy Van Eerden, Vice President Bill Myers, Jr., Treasurer John Smithers, Secretary

Board of Directors Joe Carlson Julie Gabelmann Rev. Eric Kirkegaard Dan Miller Chuck O’Meara Tom Ross Adam Stone Bud Wendorf

Cedar Community Foundation Officers Dale Kent, President Richard Eschner, Vice President Tom Ross, Treasurer Prudence Pick Hway, Secretary

Board of Directors Joan Adler Joe Carlson Andrew Gonring Richard Mehring Lynn Olson Jeff Reigle John Smithers Peter Ziegler Chris Zwygart

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Embracing technology for a better life

Lynn W. Olson

CEO, “Coach of an Excellent Organization” We are on the cusp of a new frontier in technology for senior living. There are exciting new technologies on the horizon that will help aging adults live safer, happier and more connected lives. At Cedar Community we are preparing for the future right now.

As we remodel buildings across all of our campuses, we are taking the opportunity to upgrade our technology infrastructure. This past year at Cedar Community’s independent living apartments we installed automated technology to keep residents updated on what was happening around our community. At our Cedar Lake Campus we installed new resident call technology to improve staff response time. Currently, we are in the process of installing new security technology at all of our locations to help ensure a more secure environment for residents and team members.

The most recent example of our commitment to upgrading technology was incorporated into our remodeling of the Cedar Lodge. The Cedar Lodge is a multi-purpose facility that will be able to host resident and community functions. A great deal of thought was put into the technology that would be needed to host events. We started by installing high-speed fiber optic cabling to the building that will enable groups to stream video, as well as have fast internet service. Smart televisions and a state-of-the art audio system were included in the project.

The high speed fiber optic cabling was also necessary to provide the data feed for the new cloud-based wellness software that will interface with the new state-of-the-art workout equipment in the new Cedar Lodge. With this connection, our wellness staff and residents can securely view workout progress from any web-connected device and adjust their workout program as necessary.

There are many more exciting technologies that we will be evaluating in the coming year, which we hope can be deployed to improve the quality of life for residents of Cedar Community. More about that in future issues …

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cedarcommunity.org

Social Media: Not just for your grandkids

There is no doubt that social media platforms have changed the way many people communicate today. While teens and younger adults are the main consumers of social media, don’t count out older adults, who are using smart phones, tablets and social media more than ever.

Nielsen research shows that adults aged 50 and better are the fastest growing demographic on the internet. While older adults may not be “Snapchatting� much like their grandkids, they are still using social media sites, with the most popular being Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Half of adults age 50 to 64 are using social media while 34 percent of those 65+ are liking, tweeting or pinning on social sites.

The use of social media can be a great way for older adults to stay connected with busy family and friends, and those who may live far away. It is also a way to socialize with friends, learn about happenings in the community and share photos. The AARP provides great education through its AARP TEK Academy which has online and in-person events with educational tools on how to use social media, online safety and even smartphone and tablet tips. Their website can be found at aarptek.aarp.org.

Cedar Community has a very active social media presence, and many of our Facebook page likes and comments are coming directly from our residents. If you want to stay connected with us, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/cedarcommunity. Our retreat center campus, Cedar Valley, also has a very active Facebook page at facebook.com/welcome.to.cedarvalley where you can find upcoming events and photos of many of our art and retreat groups.

cedarcommunity.org

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Call monitoring system helps improve patient outcomes

In order to improve patient outcomes and prevent rehospitalizations, Cedar Community began working with health care technology company CipherHealth one year ago. The technology being used, called Voice, is an automated call program which follows up with patients after they are discharged from Cedar Community. It is a series of six separate phone calls with questions that help monitor their care needs. The calls are made on day two, day nine, day 14, day 30, day 60 and day 90 post-discharge, to check in with how the patient is recovering and provide help if needed. The automated system asks a series of questions about the patient’s health and progress.

Questions are answered using the phone keypad. Cedar Community team members are alerted about issues the patient may be having and a nurse manager from Cedar Community calls back to discuss changes in health and/or concerns.

Calls are made to every patient who has discharged from Cedar Community, whether they are discharged from skilled nursing care, assisted living or short-term rehabilitation. Questions range from, “How are you feeling now compared to when you were discharged?” to “Do you have any questions about your medication?” and “Have you noticed any worsening symptoms since being discharged?” The goal of the program is to avoid rehospitalizations. Hospitals can be fined for rehospitalizations within 90 days of a patient’s discharge, even if it’s a different diagnosis. In its first year, Cedar Community placed 2,810 calls with 78 percent of patients being reached and 20 percent requiring an intervention or a return call. In every case, the questions or concerns were answered within two hours by Cedar Community staff.

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Since Voice was implemented, Cedar Community has found better ways of identifying and preventing potential hospital readmissions after discharge, which was information simply not available before the system was put in place. “We are definitely at the forefront of providing this technology. It makes us better, working with patients and also helps identify needs for home care services,” said Rachel Wolfe, Nurse Manager at Cedar Community. When patients have expressed concerns about symptoms, Rachel has personally called their home care provider and requested extra visits to keep them from being readmitted to the hospital. She has also set up appointments with doctors, called doctors to keep them updated on their patient’s conditions and interacted with family members who have noticed changes in their loved ones. “Ongoing treatment prevents a crisis,” says Rachel. cedarcommunity.org

Cedar Community receives the Basic Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Accreditation Rachel walks through a process with each individual to determine the best way to treat their needs. She encourages patients to seek treatment from their doctors or health care providers, instead of a visit to the emergency room. If family members express concerns about a loved one who was recently discharged and is not doing well, Rachel talks to Cedar Community’s admissions department about readmitting them for short-term rehabilitation instead of the hospital. Their doctor can then see them in Cedar Community’s rehabilitation facility instead of the hospital.

| “Ongoing treatment prevents a crisis.” | The Voice technology also positively impacts Cedar Community’s relationships with local hospitals. Cedar Community is able to provide satisfaction survey data and rehospitalization data to local hospitals. So far, the results of the program are helping Cedar Community to achieve an average rehospitalization rate of 13.8 percent, which is well below the state average of 19 percent and the national average of 21.1 percent.

Cedar Community’s goal is to make sure each resident receives the best care possible, while also helping patients and families even after they leave our care.

To learn more about Cedar Community’s short-term rehabilitation for an illness, hip replacement, knee surgery and more, please contact 262.306.4240.

cedarcommunity.org

The Basic QAPI Accreditation, presented by independent accreditor, Providigm, recognizes that Cedar Community is continually assessing residents’ quality of life (managing pain, maintaining dignity, respecting resident choice) and quality of care issues (managing weight loss, infections, rehabilitation following acute injury or illness, assessing whether there are enough staff to meet resident needs and preventing readmission to the hospital).

Providigm’s QAPI Accreditation is based on standards for excellence in continuously improving quality of care and life for nursing home residents.

Centers are evaluated on a quarterly basis and includes 1,020 nursing centers, located across 48 states and Ontario Canada. Cedar Community was one of seven recognized in Southeast Wisconsin and the only one in Washington County.

Providigm’s QAPI Accreditation Standards require that Cedar Community is assessing their quality against the full federal regulation and correcting identified issues. Through Cedar Community’s use of the abaqis Quality Management System, Providigm is able to verify that Cedar Community is continually assessing the quality of the care they provide to their residents against federal regulations and standards and correcting identified issues.

“Cedar Community is very proud to receive this accreditation. It confirms our commitment to continually strive to improve the care we give to our residents and ensures that our quality systems are sound,” says Kelli DeRuyter, Cedar Community Administrator.

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Life-saving ECG technology in the palm of your hand When it comes to health care, timing can sometimes be the difference in saving a life. In the past, if a Cedar Community resident was having chest pains, a call was made to a mobile company to come in with an electrocardiograph (ECG) machine. The machine could never be ordered immediately, so from the time of the call to the arrival of the machine could be hours, with results often taking days. However, today Cedar Community is fortunate to have the technology available immediately at the patient’s bedside to show if there is a cardiac event or abnormality with a portable ECG machine, which was developed locally at Spaulding Medical in West Bend. The machine is easy to use—it offers simple hook up, operation and data management and provides up to five minutes of cardiac data.

| “The physician called Cedar Community’s nursing team to thank them and tell them their quick actions saved the patient’s life.” |

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The process is simple with the machine fitting in the palm of your hand and 12 leads or electrodes positioned on the patient and connected to the electrocardiograph. A button is pushed and ECG data can be immediately and wirelessly streamed to any mobile device or tablet via Bluetooth technology at beside or from across the room. It can be used with any Windows or Android device. This process reduces time to treatment and improves outcomes. Physicians have easier, faster access to patient data via email or the Cloud for viewing and it eliminates faxing to physicians, also reducing time and cost. Physicians want faster results and they were often admitting residents to the hospital because they were not comfortable waiting for results. “The lack of urgency with a mobile provider was just not appropriate for the type of setting we are in because there is something going on with a resident right now,” says Rachel Wolfe, Cedar Community Nurse Manager. With the ECG machine, results can be instantly read allowing caregivers to make critical care decisions within minutes of reported symptoms and possibly avoid a hospitalization.

Cedar Community is one of very few health and rehabilitation providers who have this technology at beside. It’s also a great tool for providing more information to emergency medical technicians when they arrive so treatment can begin immediately. The results can often reduce an unnecessary transport of patients to the hospital for non-cardiac events. cedarcommunity.org

Just recently, a patient at Cedar Community was experiencing leg pain with shortness of breath. He told the nursing team it was “no big deal” because he had been short of breath at times. The nurses got him on the ECG machine and discovered he was in atrial fibrillation; his heart was not pumping properly and he was passing clots. He was sent to the hospital for immediate treatment. Later that day, the patient’s physician called Cedar Community’s nursing team, to thank them and tell them that their quick actions saved the patient’s life. The more information the nurses can give the doctor ahead of time, the better they can treat them, or even prevent a hospital visit. “Sending residents to the hospital can be disruptive and set them back health wise,” says Rachel. With the ECG technology available at the beside, oftentimes, residents can remain at Cedar Community because the doctor has a more complete picture of what is going on, and it helps narrow down the diagnosis and treatment.

Managing records electronically provides coordinated patient care A lot has changed in the 32 years since Mary Boden, Director of Health Information Management, began her career at Cedar Community.

Today, medical records at Cedar Community are approximately 75 to 80 percent in electronic format.

Cedar Community utilizes Matrix Care software which provides seamless tracking for both assisted living and long-term care residents and short-term rehabilitation patient care, but also for billing.

Each resident or patient has an electronic medical record where their care is documented in Matrix Care’s computer system using iPads and laptops. Nursing staff enters activities of daily living including information such as food and fluid intake, medications, blood pressure, weights and care notes; rehab staff document therapy evaluations and treatments; life enrichment staff enter activities in which residents and patients take part; social workers document information relating to family meetings, discharge planning and coordination with outside providers; dieticians note weights and diet information; and chaplains enter visits with residents and cedarcommunity.org

patients. The system provides better access for all staff across all divisions from short-term rehabilitation to assisted living to skilled nursing care which, in turn, provides a more comprehensive patient record. The information entered into MatrixCare provides a Minimum Data Set (MDS) which are assessments done by Cedar Community’s multidisciplinary

team on every resident. Information is collected about the resident’s health, physical functioning, mental status and general well-being.

This full data integration is easily accessible in real time to all team members which means strong interdisciplinary care coordination throughout the campuses. Entering the data electronically saves time with documentation and it

flows into billing services and is securely transmitted to Medicare for reimbursement purposes.

Electronic health information can also be securely shared with other health care providers, and patients or their designee can access their records with a signed health privacy release.

Medicare relies on the MDS provided within the MatrixCare system to identify and track our quality measures to ensure Cedar Community is achieving its survey and five-star rating goals. The data entered on every resident and patient affects our quality rating and our reimbursement rates. Matrix Care also enables statistics to be compiled and reported, furthering quality control and patient care.

Cedar Community protects the identity of our residents/patients by using encrypted secure email when sending information electronically.

“We are very cognizant of our resident’s/patient’s records and their privacy,” says Mary. Cedar Community also has a compliance committee and Mary serves as the HIPPA privacy officer, helping to ensure that patient information is kept confidential.

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HIDDEN TALENTS

Resident life ... everyone has a story to tell

A terrible winter a few years ago made Jeff and Eloise Potter decide to move from their house; they had enough of the snow! They’d heard about Cedar Community when looking for a place for Eloise’s parents.

Jeff and Eloise thought about moving south, but they really wanted to be near their family and two grandsons.

They watched them grow up and wanted to continue being part of their lives. They looked at other retirement places in the area but realized Cedar Community was the best value. They wanted independent living in a single family home but with the continuum of care in case they needed it. The beautiful area just couldn’t compare. So in 2014 they moved to a Cedar Community independent living home. No more shoveling snow, mowing grass or home maintenance. They decided they didn’t need to move south, this was perfect! And now they’re free to travel anytime. No worries!

They lived the majority of their lives in Wauwatosa.

When the grandchildren arrived, they moved to West Bend to be nearer to their daughter and family. Jeff was born in Washington DC; he was the second of four children. Eloise was born in Milwaukee; she has a younger brother. They met in their sophomore year, in Mrs. Gibson’s speech class at Wauwatosa High School.

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They were just friends until they crossed paths again in a class at UW-Milwaukee. The rest is history; they were married on January 1, 1966, during Christmas break.

They have two children, a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Jeffrey, Jr. Their two grandsons, Bryan, 17, and Kevin, 14, bring much joy to their lives. Jeff and Eloise love to spend time with them, and especially enjoy observing their swimming and academic achievements.

After graduation from college, Jeff started work as a news director for a radio station, WRAC in Racine.

Then he took a job working in public relations with the Wisconsin Telephone Co., retiring after 23 years.

After retirement, he was associate managing editor for Community Newspapers in Milwaukee for four years. He also did some part-time work servicing accounts in financial investments after he obtained his securities licenses.

Eloise finished her college degree after their children started school. She worked in customer service, then on to manager and program analyst positions for the IRS, retiring after 28 years.

They enjoy traveling throughout the United States.

They made a three week, 6,000-mile road trip to cedarcommunity.org

California visiting numerous national parks and sights along the way. Jeff enjoyed the moon-like geography in the mountains east of Salt Lake City. Their favorite vacation place is the seashore of North Carolina.

Working for the IRS, Eloise learned computer technology, using various programs and spreadsheets. Jeff was on the ground floor of technology working for the telephone company. As the company’s technology grew and inventions changed the telecommunications industry, he was fascinated with what the new technology could do. Jeff has put that knowledge to work here at Cedar Community, helping residents learn how to use their personal devices such as smart phones, tablets and apps, discussing what they can do. He says “Don’t buy it because it’s the latest and greatest, but tell me what you want to use it for, and I’ll tell you what you should consider.”

Eloise says “Jeff loves his toys.” He reads various newspapers and magazines online; they read books on their Kindle, and track walking on their fitness devices.

Besides spending time with family, they also enjoy the many social and volunteer opportunities available at Cedar Community.

Together, they volunteer for special events, at Cedar Community’s assisted living and memory care, Heritage House and Cedar Closet. Eloise uses her skills balancing the receipts from Cedar Closet. Jeff is serving on the Cedar Lake Village Social Activity and Education (SAE) committee. They both enjoy playing cards, reading, crossword puzzles and Sudoku. And they both enjoy watching sports.

They certainly live life to the fullest by enjoying, exploring and embracing their best life!

Gladys Sachse

Resident, Cedar Community Independent Living cedarcommunity.org

Going Green at Cedar Community We begin the New Year with an affirmation of the mission of going green - to promote healthy lifestyles, encourage wise use of our natural resources and protect our environment.

Since making resolutions is a popular endeavor at this time of year, here are four going green ideas that can give you, the reader, opportunities to live healthfully and help nature and our environment: 1. Shop with a reusable bag and avoid or reject using plastic bags. Plastic bags are the second most prevalent form of litter after cigarette butts. Over four million bags get caught up by the wind and end up clogging storm drains, littering fence lines, hedgerows, forests, lakes, oceans and beaches every year. Plastic bags are known to kill over one million birds and hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, seals and other marine mammals every year. The petroleum-based polyethylene in plastic bags makes them poisonous to the environment. They are contributors to greenhouse gases and require 12 million barrels of oil to produce each year. That’s $500,000,000 spent on oil, to throw away.

2. Consider limiting processed foods in your diet because they contain little or no nutrition, and are usually heavily sweetened, fortified and preserved to make them more edible.

Rather, look for local farm-to-table produce and products.

Your health, wallet and the environment will benefit. Try batch cooking and meal planning. Having something homecooked in the freezer is highly desirable. There are numerous cookbooks available that specialize in easy, fast preparation.

3. Eat organic as much as possible so you don’t have to worry about the health effects of GMOs, toxic pesticides or the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer. Always wash purchased produce before use.

4. Inquire about purchasing meats and grains (also flour) from a grassland eco culture rather than industrially farmed corn or soybean monoculture which is a major source of greenhouse gases and other, air, water and GMO pollution. Demanding grass-fed beef and dairy, pasture-raised poultry and eggs and foraged pork can help promote and encourage prairie ecosystem restoration for the benefit of all - plants, animals and humans.

This coming year, consider resolving to better your health and benefit our environment by trying out some of the ideas suggested in this article. Source: smallfootprintfamily.com WINTER 2018 |

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Residents visit the world with interactive

TECHNOLOGY

Resident activities are an important part of Cedar Community’s life enrichment programming, especially when it comes to living more. Every week residents enjoy an opportunity for games, outings, socials and more. Technology also plays a role in keeping residents active and involved. It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L) is a picturebased, touch-screen software system that allows users to engage in educational and interactive content that is appropriate for all ability levels. The iN2L system keeps residents engaged and connected through virtual experiences and activities similar to a gaming system but with additional features such as email and web cams to stay connected with family and friends.

At Cedar Community, iN2L is used in skilled nursing care, assisted living, memory care and for occupational, physical and speech therapy. Features include jigsaw puzzles, cognitive games such as spelling and handeye coordination, memory games, music, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, Family Feud and The Price is Right. Residents can also enjoy a vast variety of music and newspapers from around the world. “The music portion of the programming has a very calming effect on residents who may be agitated at times. Behind the therapeutic music are videos,” says Lisa Kelling, Director of Life Enrichment/Music Therapist.

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From using email and web cams like Skype to connect with family and friends, to mind-stimulating activities, to improving hand-eye coordination as part of a rehabilitation program, residents at Cedar Community with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities and most who have never used a computer, are enjoying this technology. The iN2L content library is updated often with new programming added to the libraries. Residents can also enjoy trips to different countries, view live web cams of zoos and other locations and Google Earth so they can reminisce and share stories about where they use to live.

The iN2L system is designed to help residents stay engaged and connected through virtual experiences and activities. “There is a wonderful exercise component where residents can pretend they are a conductor of a symphony, moving their arms around and we can also attach bike pedals so they can simulate riding a course through another country, similar to spin bike technology. A steering wheel lets them take a drive. It’s a great way for them to see the world from the comfort of their Cedar Community home,” says Lisa.

cedarcommunity.org

Intern helps bring modern musical technology to residents Cedar Community has been training music therapy professionals from across the nation since 1976 and has hosted over 85 interns from over 32 different colleges and universities.

Interns fulfill a sixmonth commitment and are involved in every aspect of music therapy at Cedar Community.

This past semester, Melody Sylvester, a student at Illinois State University finished up her internship and graduated in December with a Bachelor of Music Therapy. She hopes to work in an organization where she can provide music therapy for people of all ages and help them reach their physical, social, emotional and spiritual goals, similar to her work at Cedar Community.

Throughout Melody’s internship, she was required to lead and co-lead group and individual music therapy sessions for residents in skilled nursing care, memory care and locally at The Threshold, Inc. in West Bend.

She also led and co-lead music ensembles under the direction of the Cedar Community music therapists which included the Choristers, Chimes, Sing for Your Health, Handbells and Eight Is Enough, an octet group.

She also worked on improving her guitar, piano and ukulele skills throughout the course of her internship.

While at Cedar Community, Melody was instrumental in acquiring three iPads and Bluetooth speakers through cedarcommunity.org

Cedar Community’s staff-directed funds, which is used for start-up projects that directly benefit residents. The three iPads are used in skilled nursing care, assisted living, memory care and independent living.

The iPads are used with music apps such as Spotify. They can also be used for creating music by allowing the iPad to be used as an instrument. Residents can swipe the screen to play the guitar, use an on-screen keyboard to play piano and tap on the iPad to create the sound of a drum. “It’s a great benefit for the residents to work one-on-one with a music therapist,” says Melody.

The technology will also allow the music therapists to create playlists instead of dragging around a CD player.

It’s smaller and more convenient. “If you are working with a group of residents and they start talking about a particular song, you can instantly search for it and play it,” says Lisa Kelling, Director of Life Enrichment/Music Therapist. Music Therapist Sherry McElhatton says one of the benefits is for a musical group to listen to a song before they learn it for an upcoming concert.

Music programming and music therapy is an important part of the life enriching experience for Cedar Community’s residents, and we look forward to continuing the Music Therapy Intern program for future students. For more information on the intern program, contact Sherry McElhatton at 262.306.4554.

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Camaraderie and craftsmanship at the woodwork shop

Dale Beaman and his wife, Marilyn, moved to Cedar Community’s independent apartments about five years ago.

They visited several times prior to moving in and also visited retirement communities in their home state of Illinois. “The other places we visited were more expensive and offered far less in terms of space and amenities,” says Dale. One of the things that stood out to Dale as far as amenities was the woodwork shop. “I have been a wood hobbyist since childhood—selftaught,” says Dale. He visited the woodwork shop shortly after moving in and now you can find him there every week. “There are some very experienced woodworkers at the woodshop who will stop and help you if 14

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you have any questions. You can learn a lot here and I don’t think there is another retirement facility that has a woodshop like this. It’s huge and full of professional equipment,” says Dale. Each resident gets their own woodworking bench complete with a vice and plenty of room to work on their projects. Dale’s friends who visit simply can’t believe the expansiveness and quality of the woodwork shop.

Don Gruendemann and his wife decided to make the move while they were still young and could be active at Cedar Community. They knew quite a bit about Cedar Community since his wife’s aunt and mother both lived in the independent living apartments and skilled nursing

care. “There were two reasons that drew us to Cedar Community. For my wife it was the pool and for me it was the woodshop,” says Don. He felt he finally had some real tools to work with and being a hobbyist he couldn’t wait to make the move. Don feels like he is constantly learning something new. Residents at the woodwork shop show you how to run machines you don’t know anything about and are willing to share their talents, teaching willing learners how to make a bowl or a cabinet. “Everyone is so friendly and willing to help,” says Don. Both Don and his wife believe the move to Cedar Community increases your quality of life, adding at least 10 years, because of the ability to live more by remaining active and the closeness to new neighbors who become good friends.

An advertisement in the mail was all Dennis Rintelman and his wife needed to tour Cedar Community. “I knew nothing about the woodshop until I moved in and my neighbor said you have to join,” says Dennis. He feels very grateful for the woodwork shop and what it has to offer, including the new friendships he has formed. “You don’t have to know much about any of the machines or how to make something. If you have an interest, someone will train you. There are machines in here I have never heard of in my life,” says Dennis.

Cedar Community’s Woodwork shop is a 5,000 square foot gem offering top-of-the-line equipment.

They are fully equipped with cedarcommunity.org

hundreds of clamps, hand tools, planers, table saws, band saws of different size capability, lathes, drill presses, belt and drum sanders, scroll saw, compound miter saw and much more tooling for woodworking.

They also have a huge state-ofthe-art dust collection system that helps with air quality for the whole shop. A complete separate finishing room provides space for varnishing and staining. Adjacent to the woodwork shop are lapidary and ceramics studios as well.

Residents at the woodwork shop create masterpieces, not only for themselves and their families, but for Cedar Community and the greater community. They have enjoyed making cabinets, bookcases, wooden puzzles, rocking horses, toys, games, magazine and quilt racks, cutting boards, pens, bowls, display cases, gazebos, tables and anything else you can possibly make from wood. Their work has been featured at various events at Cedar Community including the annual Butterfly Release and craft shows. The sales of their items help to defray expenses and equipment upkeep at the woodwork shop. They also can refinish and repair furniture, including the lost art of hand caning chairs. All the participants are volunteers and many have years of woodworking experience, from having workshops in cedarcommunity.org

their previous homes or from teaching woodshop. Everything they purchase is top of the line including the lumber. “It’s not something you find in big box stores,” says Don. Dale, Don and Dennis say the camaraderie at the woodwork shop is what keeps them coming back. The woodwork shop is open seven days a week and residents have their own key. On Mondays and Wednesdays they typically work on community projects and stop working at 10 a.m. for coffee, donuts and conversation.

“We have fun,” they all laugh.

Other days, they work on their own personal projects.

To tour Cedar Community’s independent living homes or apartments and the woodwork shop, call Cathy at 262.338.4615.

You can shop year-round for the beautiful creations of the woodwork shop, ceramics, lapidary and crafters of Cedar Community at the Market Café and Gift Shop, located on the Cedar Ridge Campus, 113 Cedar Ridge Drive in West Bend. The café is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you have a custom project and would like to learn more about the services Cedar Community’s Woodwork Shop has to offer, call 262.338.2825.

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Software boosts staff efficiencies, controls overtime One of Cedar Community’s largest expenses is labor cost, so it is important to look for ways to be more efficient.

One way Cedar Community looks at the bottom line is by implementing technologies that will provide cost savings and provide a better work environment for our team members. In 2016, Cedar Community’s Human Resources Department implemented OnShift technology for nursing scheduling and most recently, dining services.

Hand-written schedules and spread sheets are now a thing of the past. OnShift is a cloud-based software program for scheduling for senior living providers. OnShift provides easyto-use tools to not only schedule nursing team members but it keeps track of overtime and allows team members to see where there are scheduling gaps and pick up additional shifts. Team members can also post messages if they are

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cedarcommunity.org

Live United If you are looking for a rewarding career that offers not only great benefits, but a place where lasting friendships between co-workers and residents are created, Cedar Community is a great choice. As one of Washington County’s largest employers, Cedar Community offers excellent benefits including: • Tuition reimbursement • Job advancement looking for a replacement to work their shift. “OnShift reduces the amount of staff time needed for scheduling. There are fewer phone calls to team members trying to fill in for vacation time, and changes in scheduling are communicated instantly allowing Cedar Community to be staffed to meet resident needs.

There is less paperwork and room for error. The reporting also help us red flag and track overtime hours,” says Cheri Manthei, Human Resources Employment Supervisor.

With OnShift, nursing and dining team members can view their schedule from their smart phone or personal computer 24/7.

• Flexible schedules • Referral bonuses • On site Urgent Care Clinic free to team members • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training classes • Walking trails to enjoy • In-house pharmacy with discounts • Cafe and gift shops • Beach/lake house and pontoon boat rental • and much more!

Cedar Community team members and residents really know how to Live United! Together, we not only met, but we exceeded our challenge as a Pacesetter Organization for the United Way of Washington County’s 2017 campaign. A Pacesetter is challenged to increase participation or total dollars raised over the previous year. Cedar Community is very proud to share that we exceeded last year’s total dollars raised by MORE THAN 550%!!! As a not-forprofit organization, Cedar Community understands the importance of supporting our fellow notfor-profit organizations, whose programs and services are so vital to so many within our community. Thank you to our team members and residents who participated and joined the Uniting Force for Good in Washington County!

To learn more about Cedar Community’s career opportunities, visit the careers page at cedarcommunity.org. cedarcommunity.org

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New sound system is music to their ears

Sound is defined as vibrations that travel through the air or another medium which can be heard when they reach a person’s ear. When that sound is distorted or difficult to hear, especially for seniors, it can be unpleasant and not very engaging. Thanks to generous donors from the Cedar Community Foundation and staff-directed funds which allows for new items or start-up projects, Cedar Community’s music therapy department was able to purchase state-of-the-art sound and theatre systems for Cedar Community’s Cedar Theatre, the Grand Hall and Performance Square area at Cedar Community’s independent living apartments and the Celebration Room at Cedar Community’s skilled nursing care.

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The new technology included speakers, microphones, microphone jacks, wiring in the walls, a hightech digital sound board, projection screen and projector, surround sound, digital cameras and two televisions to accommodate obstructed views.

The system is easy for team members to use and residents appreciate being able to hear and see various performances, presentations, concerts and movies with exceptional sound quality. It is even used for chapel and memorial services. Outside organizations including church groups and theatre companies such as Spotlight Productions also utilize the Cedar Theatre and are pleased with the modifications. “With the new sound system and the monitor speakers, the cedarcommunity.org

performers can hear the music like a professional concert,” says Sherry McElhatton, Music Therapist.

The newly constructed Cedar Lodge, which is a multi-purpose center for resident wellness and life enrichment programming, is also wired for large

screen televisions to watch movies and sporting events along with a smaller television above the bar. The speaker system in each area of the building will have zone controls. “It will be a great space for our residents to enjoy Coffee Hours, guest speakers and special presentations. Everything is topnotch quality,” says Sherry.

As a not-for-profit organization, Cedar Community relies on generous donations to be able to make improvements that benefit the quality of life for our residents.

If you would like more information about contributing to the Cedar Community Foundation, contact Amy Johnson, 262.338.2819. Any gift, no matter how big or small, is greatly appreciated.

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Recent survey results from Cedar Community’s independent living residents had one common area of feedback—a desire for more communication.

Residents have relied on paper flyers, paper calendars and a communication tree to get the word out about upcoming events or important matters. Cedar Community team members listened to residents’ concerns and as a result, independent living residents at both the West Bend and Elkhart Lake campuses now enjoy the convenience of VoiceFriend, a notification solution that enables team members to easily keep residents informed of events, important information or schedule changes.

With VoiceFriend, Cedar Community team members can schedule and send one-time, or recurring alerts and reminders using phone, texting or email—or a combination of all three. Within minutes, residents are informed through their preference of communication.

Since many live active lifestyles and are not often in their homes or apartments, they can still find out what’s going on around the campus. If phone messages are picked up by answering machines or voicemail, the message is repeated twice. If residents are on the go, their cell phone will give them instant access. Email allows them to check at their convenience and even receive attachments.

To send messages, team members just need internet access, which is great for last-minute notifications, allowing them to send messages while off campus if necessary. To receive messages, all residents need is a landline or cell phone.

VoiceFriend uses an Outlook-like



Keeping residents active, engaged and informed

calendar system so team members can easily schedule automated alerts and reminders to be sent on a specific date and time making it flexible for team members who are not in the office every day.

The benefits of VoiceFriend include reducing team member time creating flyers and posters and calling residents. There are also several resident committees and now they can be contacted through VoiceFriend to set up meetings. Residents can also be notified of packages waiting for them at customer relations.

The system also increases resident engagement in life enrichment programs, because they receive daily reminders of the day’s events. Residents are also contacted about things going on around Cedar Community’s campuses, including maintenance notifications, special screenings, new residents moving in, flu clinics and more. “We have received nothing but positive feedback from our residents. For those who don’t want it, they can opt out,” says Holli Thierer, Life Enrichment Coordinator.

VoiceFriend offers a reporting system so team members can monitor who didn’t get the message and who didn’t open it. “The software also allows us to inform team members of pertinent information and will also be used in the future by our safety committee for emergency preparedness notifications,” says Erika Wolnik, Independent Living Manager.

VoiceFriend provides a saving to communities like Cedar Community. Less staff time is spent trying to reach residents and less time is spent on creating and distributing flyers. Less paper means less waste and a greener environment for Cedar Community.

To tour Cedar Community’s independent living homes or apartments and learn more about all the activities and amenities we have to offer, call Cathy at 262.338.4615.

Mention you saw this article in our Live More magazine and she will treat you to a cup of coffee.

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

Volunteer provides tech support to residents Jim Peck is an engineer by degree and started working with computers in 1972. He was introduced to them in college and spent a lot of his career programming and supporting computer systems in manufacturing and professional services. He is now retired and can be found helping residents at Cedar Community’s independent living apartments with their computers, whether it is teaching them the basics or fixing problems.

Jim’s parents moved to Cedar Community’s independent living apartments four years ago, the same year he was retiring. His father had serious heart problems and passed away in 2016. “Cedar Community’s independent living apartments were the perfect place for them to be living at that point in their life. I am very appreciative of the quality of life and support the organization has shown not only to my parents but also to our family, especially while dad was in hospice care,” says Jim. That quality of care his parents received led Jim to want to support the organization by volunteering his time. Jim visits his mom at least once a week but he

also visits several other residents to assist them with their computer needs. He has been helping residents navigate the computer age for two and a half years now.

He has worked with over 100 residents in independent and assisted living. Jim tries to answer questions over the phone, but most often personally visits the residents to assist them with technology problems and training.

“Many residents use their computers as a way to stay connected with friends and family so I try to help them understand the capabilities the computer offers,” says Jim. For residents who don’t own computers, Cedar Community’s independent apartments offer a business center with computers and printers.

Jim feels working with the residents is a tremendous opportunity for him. He enjoys meeting the residents and getting to know them while he works on their computer issues. “I enjoy getting to know the residents and learning more about their personal stories,” says Jim. He typically has about a half dozen people on his list who need help with their computers. Best of all, he does this all free of charge.

If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities available at Cedar Community, call Bonnie at 262.306.4218 or visit our website at cedarcommunity.org. cedarcommunity.org

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On the evening of August 3, 2016, and again on the evening of August 5, 2016, the Learning Center on the Cedar Community Cedar Lake Campus sustained significant damage from a ceiling fire and subsequent flare-up. The fires resulted in extensive damage to the ceilings, wall board, insulation and twelve roof trusses. Most furnishings also suffered from major smoke damage.

The Learning Center was built in 1977 as a retreat and activity center for residents and staff.

Most recently it was used by the independent living residents for screen parties, exercise classes, Wii Bowling and coffee hours, to mention a few.

Unfortunately, the fire rendered the gathering space unusable.

Cedar Community worked with an architect who surveyed the damaged building and engaged many of our independent living residents on suggestions about the future of the building.

The determination was made to renovate and significantly improve the building, and rededicate it as the Cedar Lodge. The new building will have many beautiful features, including a hearth room, a large group gathering space, a club room with bar, state-of-the-art fitness center and screen porch and patio.

The Cedar Community Foundation approved a generous contribution toward the new Cedar Lodge, but the independent living residents also played a major role in getting the Lodge rebuilt.

Residents Jim and Carol Gardner have committed to a very generous donation for the fitness and audio visual equipment. A Cedar Lodge Furnishings Campaign committee was formed led by resident co-chairs, Rich and Mary Miller and John and Jeanne Wood and fundraising began last May to raise $60,000 to purchase all new furnishings for the various gathering spaces. Residents were able to select specific pieces to contribute toward, or provide a general contribution.

The Cedar Lodge was officially dedicated in December, but the first few months of this New Year will be busy as the finishing touches are put in to place. Residents will soon be able to see the fruits of their labor and generosity as the sofas, loveseats, tables, chairs and bar stools are set up, the new fitness equipment is brought in and staff is trained on the new wellness programs. We can’t wait to share the finished Cedar Lodge in our spring 2018 issue! Keep your eyes open for details on our upcoming open house.

Cedar Lodge: A beautiful ne

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ew center for life enrichment

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Out&About EVENTS | CLASSES | SEMINARS

ONGOING PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

HEALING HEARTS COFFEE HOUR

Third Monday of every month | 1 p.m.

Second Thursday of every month | 9 a.m.

Cedar Community, Cedar Ridge Campus | 113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend

Cedar Community Retreat Center at Cedar Valley | 5349 County Road D, West Bend

For more information, contact Jeremy Ott, 1.800.972.5455.

Join Judy Koeppl, grief therapist and co-founder/director of the Center for Life and Loss Integration in Madison and at Cedar Community’s Retreat Center at Cedar Valley, and others who have recently lost loved ones, as we begin the journey of healing in mind, body and spirit.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

First Wednesday of every month | 1 p.m.

Cedar Community, Cedar Ridge Campus, First Floor South Conference Room | 113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend This is an informational discussion followed by a question and answer period for anyone close to a loved one needing support whether physically or emotionally.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

Second Wednesday of every month | 1 p.m.

Cedar Community, Cedar Run Campus, The Cottages Meeting Room | 6090 Scenic Drive, West Bend

• Join others facing the same issues for support and solace • Discuss coping with the pain and grief of losing a loved one • Share stories of your loved one • Find ways to heal and recover The Coffee Hours are free and open to the public.

Please RSVP so we know how many will be attending, 262.629.9202.

AV APA RES SH AIL RT PIT OR AB ME E T V LE NT IS FO IT R S!

For more information, contact Melissa Searle, 262.306.4230.

Assisted Living in Elkhart Lake

Peace of mind for you ... ... exceptional care for your loved one. . Improved quality of life for your loved one

. Three delicious meals served daily

. Comfortable apartments with private bath

. Outstanding reputation

. Vibrant and engaging activities program

. and so much more!

. Warm, welcoming, positive environment

. Lovely pond setting

Elkhart Lake

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101 Cedar Lane Elkhart Lake, WI 53020 920.876.4050 cedarcommunity.org

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

cedarcommunity.org

Stop in while it’s “hot”

- the chili, the lifestyle, the amenities.

ANNUAL CHILI SOCIAL AND USED BOOK SALE Saturday, Jan. 27 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cedar Community, Cedar Ridge Campus | 113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend Enjoy items for sale by our ceramics, crafters and Nimble Thimbles. Cedar Ridge Resale will be open with a 50 percent off sale on all items and furniture. Tours of Cedar Community’s independent living apartments will also be available by appointment.

Call 262.338.4615 for a tour by Friday, Jan. 12 and receive your lunch for FREE! Only those with a tour reservation will receive a free lunch. Enjoy our famous chili, hot ham and cheese croissant, fruit, fresh baked cookie, coffee or hot apple cider – all for only $8.50! Quarts of chili to go for $7.75.

JANUARY

APRIL

MARTIN LUTHER KING EVENT

SECOND-HAND ROSE LUNCHEON AND STYLE SHOW

Monday, Jan. 15 | 10:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Cedar Community, Cedar Ridge Campus, Grand Hall | 113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend Enjoy celebrating peace with a choir, speakers, refreshments and prayer. Rev. Clarissa Martinelli from Fifth Avenue Methodist Church will be our guest speaker.

cedarcommunity.org

Wednesday, April 25 | 11:30 a.m.

Cedar Community, Cedar Ridge Campus, Top of the Ridge Restaurant | 113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend The style show will showcase fashions of all sizes. It will include all modern, gently used clothing for all seasons for both men and women. The clothing will be available for purchase at Cedar Community’s Cedar Closet, 5595 County Road Z, West Bend. The cost is $14 per person for lunch and the style show. Net proceeds from the event will benefit Cedar Community resident activities. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 15 and are available at the Cedar Ridge reception desk, 113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend or by calling 262.306.4218. This is event is open to the public.

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CEDAR COMMUNITY RETREAT CENTER AT CEDAR VALLEY EVENTS

Cedar Valley Campus | 5349 County Road D, West Bend

Watercolor Excitement March 2 – 4 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily These all-day classes are designed for watercolor painters who would like additional instruction. Learn through demonstration with ample painting time. Joyce Eesley will focus on helping you achieve exciting results using this fascinating medium while gaining knowledge and insights and sharing tips and techniques. $120 commuters, includes lunch all three days; $270 overnighters, includes two nights stay and all meals.

Supply list will be provided at time of registration.

Paint, Sip, Repeat Thursday, March 15 | 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Join Camille Walters and have a glass of wine or soda, enjoy being with friends and getting creative. Camille offers step-bystep instruction anyone can do. She demonstrates the painting so even if you can’t draw a straight line you can do this. No previous experience required. $35 includes instruction, all supplies and a glass of wine.

Breakfast with the Birds Wednesdays, May 9, 16 and 23 | 7:30 a.m.

Join us in celebrating the return of our feathered friends to Cedar Valley. The program is timed during the progressive spring migration of warblers and other migrating song birds, with different species arriving each week. The program is open to everyone at every level of bird watching.

$35 per person includes all three sessions, continental breakfast and guided bird walk.

Twenty Paintings with Beki Borman May 18 – 20 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily In this class you will paint the same subject twenty times.

Learn experimentation and be challenged to find ways to rediscover the subject. The uses of acrylic paint will be covered as part of the journey. You will discuss topics such as color, value, style, method and more! It will force you to explore your technique. $120 commuters, includes workshop and daily lunch; $290 overnighters, includes workshop, two nights lodging and all meals. Supply list will be provided at time of registration.

All classes are open to everyone. For more information or to register for any of the above classes, call 262.629.9202 or visit cedarcommunity.org. Advance registration is required.

BOOK YOUR EVENT AT THE RETREAT CENTER AT CEDAR VALLEY! Planning an event, business meeting, anniversary, birthday party, family reunion, baby shower, graduation party, etc.? The Retreat Center at Cedar Valley would be happy to help. Our team of experts will partner with you to creatively plan and execute your event, ensuring you and your guests have a memorable occasion. Whether you are a group of one, or 100, our staff will be happy to personalize a menu to fit your every need. Guest rooms are available for those wishing to stay overnight, plus we offer a menu of spa services by appointment.

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Every Step

with Cedar Community Cedar Community is committed to being a leader by helping others navigate the landscape of senior living and senior health care.

Each seminar will provide valuable information and handouts to help you and your loved ones plan for the future.

Thursday, Jan. 18

Thursday, Feb. 15

Thursday, March 15

Low Vision and Balance

Veterans Benefits

Brian Ong, PT, Cedar Community, Manager of Outpatient Services

Kurt Rusch, Washington County Veterans Service Office, Veterans Service Officer

When do I know it’s time for assisted living?

Debbie Tews, OTR, Cedar Community Specialist, Low Vision Do you have an eye condition such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy that makes it difficult to complete daily tasks?

Do you have difficulty with dizziness when getting up in the morning or when doing functional tasks? Do you feel unsteady when walking on different surfaces? Learn how your vision and vestibular systems affect your ability to function safely and independently. Also, learn how to help prevent falls and improve your quality of life.

The mission of the Veteran’s Service Office is to assist those Washington County veterans and their families in obtaining state or federal veteran benefits which each veteran is entitled due to his/her active military service. This office can assist in establishing initial eligibility for state and federal benefits, recording of discharge documents, filing claims for either compensation or pension, and explaining the programs that may be of interest to the veteran and his/her family. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has developed many programs that are directed towards veterans. Learn more about the benefits that could be available to you or a loved one!

Nicole Pretre, Cedar Community, Director of Business Development/ Gerontologist Michelle Walsh, Cedar Community, Assisted Living Sales Coordinator Learn more about assessing your needs or those of a friend or loved one, options and services available and how to compare costs. Topics also include - when to consider a move, the difference between receiving services at home and moving to assisted living, and how assisted living can help with isolation, nutrition, safety and memory care services.

There are two time options for each seminar date: 10 a.m. | Cedar Community, Cedar Ridge Campus | 113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend 6 p.m. | Moraine Park Technical College (T-2 Entrance) | 2151 N. Main Street, West Bend

Please RSVP for each seminar, 262.306.7685 or at RSVP@cedarcommunity.org. cedarcommunity.org

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Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID West Bend, WI Permit No. 24 5595 County Road Z | West Bend, WI 53095

CEDAR COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTORY Independent Living 262.338.4615

· Cedar Ridge Apartments

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Resale Shops

At Home Services

· Cedar Resale at Cedar Ridge 262.338.8377

262.306.2150

· Cedar Lake Village Homes

262.306.2691

· Elkhart Lake Village Homes

· In-home Personal Supportive Care (non-medical home help)

Assisted Living

· Cedar Closet 262.306.2100, ext. 4119

Volunteers

262.306.4299

· Home Health

262.306.4218

· Cedar Bay East

· Hospice

Foundation

· Cedar Bay West

· Pathfinders (Geriatric care management services)

· Cedar Bay Elkhart Lake

262.338.2819

Cedar Community Main Number

· The Cottages (memory care)

Restaurant and Catering

262.306.2100

Short-term Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing

262.338.2812

· Top of the Ridge Restaurant and Catering

Careers

262.306.4240

· Cedar Lake Heath and Rehabilitation Center

cedarcommunity.org

Retreat Center at Cedar Valley 262.629.9202

Live More