A Community of Compassionate Care
AswestepintoOctober,wejointhe movementtoraiseawarenessabout breastcancer,adiseasethataffects millionsofindividualsandtheirfamilies eachyear.Thismonthservesasacrucial reminderoftheimportanceofearly detection,education,andsupportfor thoseimpactedbybreastcancer.
UnderstandingBreastCancer
Breastcanceroccurswhencellsinthe breastbegintogrowuncontrollably. Itcanaffectbothmenandwomen, althoughitisfarmorecommonin women.Riskfactorsincludeage,family history,geneticmutations,andlifestyle choices.Awarenessofthesefactorsis essentialforpreventionandearly detection.
ImportanceofEarlyDetection
Regularscreenings,suchas mammograms,cansignificantlyincrease thechancesofcatchingbreastcancerin itsearlystageswhentreatmentismost effective.TheAmericanCancerSociety recommendsthatwomenbeginannual mammogramsatage45,withoptions tostartat40forthoseathigherrisk. Additionally,self-examscanhelp individualsbecomefamiliarwiththeir bodiesandidentifyanyunusualchanges.
SpreadingAwareness
ThroughoutOctober,numerous organizationsandcommunitieshost events,fundraisers,andeducational campaignstopromotebreastcancer awareness.Thisisagreattimetoget involved—whetherthroughparticipating inwalks,sharinginformationon socialmedia,orsimplyhaving conversationsaboutbreasthealth.
SupportandResources
Forthosediagnosedwith breastcancer,supportsystems arevital.Manyorganizationsoffer resources,includingcounseling, supportgroups,andfinancial assistance.Reachouttolocal ornationalorganizationsfor informationandguidance. Remember,nooneshould facebreastcanceralone.
GetInvolved
Hereareafewwaysyoucanmakea differencethisOctober:
WearPink:Showyoursupportbywearing pinkandencouragingotherstodothe same.
OrganizeorParticipateinFundraisers: Considerparticipatinginwalksorruns thatraisemoneyforbreastcancer researchandsupport.
EducateYourselfandOthers: Shareinformationaboutbreastcancer preventionandscreeningwithfriends andfamily.
Volunteer:Manyorganizationsare lookingforvolunteerstohelpwithevents andoutreachefforts.
JodyLennon| DirectorofNursing
This month I would like to introduce three Nurses that have joined our team, Jordan Martin, Jenna Carlson and Rose Wredt. All three are LPNs.
Jordan Martin, many of you already know him as he has been a CNA with the 500 hall residents for the past 2 years. He was born and raised in Ft. Dodge. In May he graduated from ICCC from the Practical Nursing Program. In August he passed his LPN boards. Jordan is continuing his education at ICCC to complete the ADN Program to fulfill an RN license. In Jordan’s free time, he enjoys performing in musicals, traveling, going to the gym and playing basketball. Jordan states he appreciates working at the Marian Home because it has been a wonderful facility for the residents and provides a supportive work environment with great coworkers and a great leadership team with understanding and flexibility with his ICCC schedule. Congrats Jordan and we are excited to have you as part of the Nursing staff.
Jenna Carlson grew up in Gowrie, IA on a farm and graduated from Prairie Valley High School. Jenna has an 18-year old son who is currently attending ICCC in the welding program. Jenna has a “bonus daughter” who is 25 years old and is currently attending college for medical coding. Jenna also has a dog named Sophia. Jenna graduated in May from ICCC from the Practical Nursing program passing her LPN boards in August. Jenna is continuing her education at ICCC in the ADN program to fulfill an RN license. Jenna does have experience in healthcare as she worked for Unity Point as a Medical Assistant. Jenna states she chose nursing because she loves to have the ability to help others who may not be able to help themselves. It is a great feeling for me to be able to see success stories, even if it is a small success to someone.
In Jenna’s free time she enjoys playing volleyball and golf. Jenna is an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoys watching them play football even when the games do not go as planned. Jenna states she chose to start her career at the Marian Home because she did some clinical hours here and she said everyone made her feel welcome and gave her the chance to learn. She wanted to work in an environment with great leadership and great co-workers who have the same focus or goals. Congrats Jenna and we are happy to have you as part of the Nursing staff.
Rose Wredt graduated from ICCC in May from the Practical Nursing program. Rose passed her LPN boards in Sept. Rose has been a CNA with us for the last year so she too has experience with long term care. Rose is continuing her education at ICCC in the ADN program with ending goal of receiving a RN license. Congrats Rose, and we are happy to have you on our Nursing staff.
Thank you for your love and care. Families, please take the time to introduce yourselves as you see any of the three new nurses.
Have a safe and happy month of October.
“Atthebeginningoftheyear,wewillbesendingoutsome formsandquestionsthatweneedtoupdateourrecords.One oftheformsistheMedicarePartBpremiumsanddeductible amountsthatchangeyeartoyear.Thoseformswillrequire signaturessomakesuretowatchoutforthosearound December/January.Theotherupdatesarebilling preferences,mailreceiving/forwardingchangesifneeded, andthecontactinformationwehaveonfile.Wewantto makesureourrecordsstayuptodateasmuchaspossible.If youhaveanyquestionsaboutanyofthis,pleasereachoutto me!”
StandupAgainst“Sitting
Disease”
Howmuchtimedoyouspendsittingatadesk,inarecliner oronyourcouch?Doctorsarenowreferringtothisas “SittingDisease”–whichisatermforthenegativeeffectsof beingtooinactive!Inrecentyears,researchisshowingjust howunhealthyoursedentarylifestylesare.Onaverage,U.S. adultsspend11to12hoursperdaysedentary,or¾oftheir wakingday.People65andolderwatchTVforanaverageof 6.4hoursday.Betweensleeping,standingandsitting–sittingistheworstforyou.Sittingdiminishesyourbrain. Sittingimpactsyourlongevity.So,whatcanwedotoundo someofthedamage?
Takeanexercisesnack–ifyoumove1-2minutesevery hour,overa15hourperiodyouhaveexercisedfor30 minutes.Thisalsohelpsprovideforareductioninblood sugarspikesandbloodpressure.
Ifyoucan’tleaveyourchairjustmoveyourlegswhile youaresittingorstandeverytimeyouanswerthe phone.
Justlikebrushingyourteetheverymorning...makea habitofmovingaroundeveryhour.Ormakeittask based,whenyou’vefinishedatasktakea3-5minute walk.
Activateyoursociallife–justasyoucallafriendfora meal,amovieoracocktail–switchitupandcallafriend forabikerideorawalk–evenifitisjustwalkinghallsor stairwaysatwork.
Makethingsalittleharder–aneasywaytogetinmore stepsadayistotakethefurthestparkingspaceorwalk toabathroomthatisfurtheraway.
Goanalog–insteadoftextingoremailingactuallygetup andwalkovertothepersontodeliveramessage.
Thebottomline?Getupandwalkaroundjusttwo minutesperhour.Itcouldaddyearstoyourlife!
BaileyBeebe| BusinessOfficeManager
JoanMeyer| HR/PayrollDirector
Joan Meyer
RACHELPEDERSON DIETICIAN
HarvestingHealth: TheNutritional Benefitsof PumpkinThisFall
Astheleavesturngoldenandtheairbecomescrisp,it’s clearthatfallisuponus.Andwhatwouldthisseasonbe withoutthebelovedpumpkin?Thisvibrant,ribbed gourdisnotonlyastapleofautumnfestivities—from Halloweenjack-o'-lanternstoThanksgivingpies—but it’salsoapowerhouseofnutrition.
Herearesomehealthbenefitsofpumpkin:
RichinNutrients:Pumpkinsarelowincaloriesbut highinessentialnutrients.Acupofcookedpumpkin containsabout50caloriesandispackedwith vitaminsandminerals,including:
VitaminA:Criticalforeyehealthandimmune function,pumpkinisarichsourceofbetacarotene,whichthebodyconvertstovitaminA.
VitaminC:Thisantioxidanthelpsboostthe immunesystemandaidsincollagenproduction forhealthyskin.
HighinFiber:Pumpkinisanexcellentsourceof dietaryfiber,whichpromotesdigestivehealth,helps regulatebloodsugarlevels,andkeepsyoufeeling fulllonger—perfectforthosecozyfalleveningswhen thetemptationtosnackisatitspeak.
AntioxidantProperties:Thevibrantorangehueof pumpkincomesfromitshighlevelsofcarotenoids, whicharepowerfulantioxidants.Thesecompounds helpcombatoxidativestressinthebody,potentially reducingtheriskofchronicdiseases.
HeartHealth:Thepotassiumfoundinpumpkincan helpmanagebloodpressure,whileitsfibercontent contributestohearthealthbyreducingcholesterol levels.
Asyouembracetheflavorsoffall,considerincorporating morepumpkinintoyourmeals.Hereareacoupleofeasy ideas:
PumpkinSoup:Sautéonionsandgarlic,thenadd cannedorfreshpumpkin,vegetablebroth,andspices likenutmegandcinnamon.Blenduntilsmoothfora warm,comfortingsoup.
PumpkinOatmeal:Stirpureedpumpkinintoyour morningoatmeal,alongwithasprinkleofcinnamon andadrizzleofmaplesyrupforadeliciouslyseasonal breakfast.
RoastedPumpkinSeeds:Don’tforgettheseeds! Rinseandroastthemwithabitofoliveoilandyour favoriteseasoningsforacrunchy,nutritioussnack.
Thisfall,asyoucarveyourpumpkinsandwhipupyour favoriteseasonaldishes,rememberthemanyhealth benefitsthatthisgourdhastooffer.Fromitsrichnutrient profiletoitsversatilityinthekitchen,pumpkintruly deservesitsplaceattheheartofautumncelebrations. Soembracetheseason,enjoytheflavors,andreapthe rewardsofthisnutritionalsuperstar!
Maintenance &Transportation |TravisFilloon
As I write this article, it is 86 degrees and humid, so I am finding it hard to accept that it is again time for the Maintenance & Transportation Departments to begin taking measures to ensure we are ready for Fall and Winter.
While it is still too early to even want to think about snow and cold, the maintenance department still has many things to do now to be prepared. Such as ordering ice melt, verifying proper operation of heating equipment and changing air filters in HVAC equipment throughout the complexes. The transition between heating and cooling seasons is always a challenge when the temperatures change drastically from day to day. Do not hesitate to let us know if you or your loved one is/are uncomfortable or need our assistance?
Our maintenance crew is busy, constantly making sure that all safety requirements are being met and the transportation drivers remain diligent about inspecting vehicles prior to/throughout each day’s many trips.
SocialWorker |MaryLundberg
Welcome to the month of changing colors and cooler weather. Please make sure you check closets and have fall/winter clothing here. When, or if, you do bring in clothing, please make sure to give it to Danni/housekeeping or the nursing staff so they can get marked and returned to the rightful owner.
Thistimeofyear,youmayseemanycommercialsabout MedicareAdvantageplans.Fornursinghomeresidents, theseplansarenotalwaysthebestonestohave.Usually, traditionalMedicareplanswithasupplementisthebest option.Ifyourfamilymemberdoeshaveanadvantageplan andyouhavequestionsaboutthis,pleasecontactmeandI willbehappytogooverthereasonwhyTraditional MedicareisabetterchoicewhilelivinginaNursinghome. Ihopeeveryonetakesadvantageofthecoolerweather andisabletoenjoythecolorsGodgivestousthistime ofyear.
We take pride in maintaining the condition of our facilities and welcome your input.
The work on the Assisted Living building continues at a rapid pace with concrete and drywall work most visible throughout the job site.
We currently anticipate that Marian Home Assisted Living (MHAL) will be ready to be occupied by Spring 2025.
On behalf of the Maintenance and Transportation Departments at the Marian Home and Village, stay safe and healthy and see you soon!
FromYourActivityDirectors
Hello,October!WewillbecreatingHalloweencrafts,performingaChoirconcertonthe11thwiththeresidentspracticing morechallenging,fastersongs.Weareallsoundingbettereachtimewepractice.Wewillbedecoratingpumpkins,hosting TrickorTreatingforthegrandchildrenofresidentsandstaff’schildrenandgrandchildren.Thiswillbefunforalltoseeall thefuncostumes.WehavetheLineDancerscomingtoperformforus.WewillbehavingourownHalloweencostume party.Wow,thetimeisjustflyingby.Fallisalreadyhereandwewillbeutilizingtheoutdoorsasmuchaswecan.
Thankyou!
Please feel free to contact us in the Activity Department at any time. Our direct line is 515-5745906 or email either of us with questions or suggestions.
Email: photz@marianhome.com or lstein@marianhome.com
