Maple Crest Newsletter Winter 2015

Maple Crest Health Center

Wnter 2015

In This Issue:

Building the New Maple Crest New Memory Care area Now Open Maple Crest Welcomes New administrator

Maple Crest

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Building the New

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elcome to the New Maple Crest Health Center, where quality health care has been a tradition for more than 65 years.

This is an exciting time for Maple Crest as we complete yet another phase of our $11 million redevelopment project, the Maple Crest Memory Care area. This newly designed secure memory care area features amenities and services designed to meet the needs of individuals with memory concerns, yet still maintain a high quality of life within the safe, secure environment. The 20 newly designed resident rooms offer a view of the surrounding neighborhood, and the remodeled common areas provide a comfortable setting for

residents and families alike.

In addition to new memory care, improvements continue throughout Maple Crest; refurbished dining areas and lounges that create more intimate spaces to visit with family and friends, and upon entering the community you will see a redesigned front entrance and lobby that enhance the warm community feeling.

Finally, with all the recent changes and growth, we want to extend a “Thank You� to the residents, families, volunteers and staff for your patience during this time of transition. Maple Crest is a vital and growing part of the Omaha and the Benson neighborhood today because of YOU, and for that we are truly grateful!

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New Dining area

New Fireplace area

the new Memory Care area oers the comforts of home with a built in fireplace and book shelves (above), the spacious new dining room oers a beautiful setting to enjoy meals (top right), the new nurses station provides easy interaction with residents (middle right), bright new hallways lead residents to activity areas (bottom right).

New Nurses station

New Hallway

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New Memory Care program Now Oered at Maple Crest

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aple Crest is excited to announce the opening of our newly redeveloped

and expanded Memory Care area. The

one of our 18 semi-private or 2 private resident rooms, which includes 5 suites

for couples. The new resident rooms, along with the redesigned common areas and

us to provide more of this vital service to the seniors and families of the Benson

specialized memory care programs, create surroundings that are safe, comfortable and engaging, all of which are vital to these

We understand residents and families

If you are interested in finding out more

expansion of our memory care area allows neighborhood and greater Omaha.

affected by Alzheimer’s, dementia and associated memory issues face certain

challenges and often require specific care.

Rest assured Maple Crest can be a resource to help you, and your family, create a plan that meets your individual needs.

Our completely redeveloped memory care setting offers residents and families the ability to choose from

unique residents.

about the Maple Crest Memory Care Program or our other senior services, we

invite you to call and set up your personal tour of the Community.

For more information, visit our website www.MapleCrest.net or

call 402-551-2110 today.

Maple Crest Dementia

Health Center

Dementia is a general term used to designate a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia.

Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:

• Memory • Communication and language • Ability to focus and pay attention • Reasoning and judgment • Visual perception

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available

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the Signs, Symptoms and Causes

treatments. It also provides time to plan for the future.

Different types of dementia are associated with particular types of brain cell damage in particular regions of the brain. For example, in Alzheimer's disease, high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells make it hard for brain cells to stay healthy and to communicate with each other. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged. That's why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's.

There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may simply diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type.

Treatment of dementia depends on its cause. In the case of most progressive dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, there is no cure and no treatment that slows or stops its progression. But there are drug treatments that may temporarily improve symptoms. The same medications used to treat Alzheimer's are among the drugs sometimes prescribed to help with symptoms of other types of dementias. Non-drug therapies can also alleviate some symptoms of dementia.

At Maple Crest we will provide a positive, encouraging lifestyle for those with dementia. Our separate Memory Care area has a variety of private rooms for residents, a number of engaging activities and a dedicated staff to create an atmosphere where residents can enjoy quality of life regardless of their diagnosis.

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Maple Crest Introduces New Wellness program

ffering the latest in senior healthcare Maple Crest has created a unique Wellness program open to Community residents. Maple Crest’s Wellness Program Director, Staci Ellerbeck states, “many seniors are prone to falls due to loss of strength and balance, therefore much of our program focuses on helping residents increase their strength and maintain balance, thus avoiding potentially debilitating falls.” In addition the Physical wellness the program also addresses the five other dimension of Wellness: Social, Intellectual, Spiritual, Emotional and Occupational, together these facets create a program designed to enrich the lives of all residents.

Maple Crest Coaches for the Wellness program (l to r): reggie, elizabeth, Kyle, rose, lindsey, antonia and C.C.

well as keeping one another motivated. Barb Reyes, Maple Crest Community Relations Director adds, “The Wellness Program also addresses other wellness related issue facing senior such as flexibility, managing arthritis, post surgical rehab and brain health.”

The program presents residents with the opportunity to challenge themselves and one another. Residents are often surprised, and enjoy, seeing what they can achieve as

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alison pickle Named New Clinical Manager

aple Crest welcomes our new Clinical Manager Alison Pickle. Initially from Logan, Iowa Alison has been in long term care for over 10 years. She caught the “senior care bug” at a young age while spending time with her Mother and Grandmother at “Coffee Parties”. Pickle says, alison pickle “even at that age I knew I wanted to make a career of working with older people, now, all these years later, I am doing what love.”

Alison looks forward to getting to know the staff and residents of Maple Crest, and coming from a family of five all going on vacation together, being social is just second nature. In addition to her interest in senior care, Alison enjoys reading, music and on occasion helps friends with weddings and special events.

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Meet the New assistant Director of Nursing

riginally from Des Moines Iowa, Joey Burt attended Iowa State University before transferring to Des Moines Area Community College. While at Des Moines Area Community College his focus turned to health care and he eventually complete his nurses training. Since that time his career has centered in senior healthcare, specifically long term care.

Joey Burt

Joey, while still in Des Moines, held a number of positions in senior care communities such as, charge nurse, clinical manager, and Director of Nursing Services. Since his move to Omaha he has continued his education and is pleased to become a member of the Maple Crest team. Regarding the redevelopment of Maple Crest, Burt states, “it is an exciting time to be a part of Maple Crest. The expanded services along with the number of changes taking place throughout the community is remarkable.”

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Maple Crest Welcomes New adminstrator aple Care Care Center is proud to welcome John Tanner as the new Administrator.

John comes to Maple Crest with a great deal of experience in senior health care. He started his career some 30 years ago as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). He continued his education and career moving into the role of Certified Medication Aide and eventually becoming a Nursing Home Administrator.

As an administrator John made his way to Ellinwood, Kansas and the Woodhaven Care Center. From Ellinwood he moved to Wedgewood Care Center located in Grand Island, Nebraska and eventually Morys Haven in Columbus, Nebraska, where he served as Administrator prior to becoming a Regional

“I

– resIDeNt testIMONIal –

do not know how to put into words the kind care and treatment of all involved there at Maple Crest. The loving care of the residence was much appreciated. If there were problems, you dear people were always ready to make corrections and always for the comfort of the residence. My wife and I enjoyed our stay for the time we were there. We were able to have quality time together during our Bible reading, singing and other joys that we were used to when we were at home. Truly you were a home away from home providing the care needed, and what beautiful care indeed.

When we needed the help, you came through perfectly. Thank you all again, and we would recommend Maple Crest to anyone. Let me be a reference. What a bond of love we experienced with you all. Acts 20:35.”

Your friends, Paul & Corinne Bowles.

Director of Operations.

Regarding his recent move to Maple Crest John states, “I am very pleased to be joining the Maple Crest team. It is an exciting time for us as we continue the 11 million dollar redevelopment by expanding services and making improvements throughout the building. We truly are creating The New Maple Crest.”

John tanner Maple Crest Administrator

When not at the Maple Crest, John enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, playing a little golf, and of course, Husker football.

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Maple Crest Health Center 2824 N. 66th Ave. Omaha, NE 68104 (402) 551-2110 www.MapleCrest.net

Maple Crest is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a not-for-profit provider of senior housing and healthcare since 1930.

Now You Can support Maple Crest Online W

e hope that you have had an opportunity to check out the new Maple Crest website and the Maple Crest Facebook page. Today we are excited to announce the third part of our new expanded online presence, the new Maple Crest Foundation web page. You can find the new page under the “Community Information� tab on the main MapleCrest.net web page. Here you will find information about the many ways you can contribute and become part of our tradition of quality care and service. Please visit us one line and learn how you can donate today.

Maple Crest is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a not-for-profit provider of senior health care since 1930.