Vanilla Times July 2009

July 2009 MONTHLY PUBLICATION

From Cheryl’s Desk A few months ago we discussed the topic of telling our story. It has been almost a year since our residents and families took our customer satisfaction survey. Highlights from our survey told us that 100% of our residents had overall satisfaction and 100% would recommend us to others! We were so pleased with these results, yet continued to dig into the survey to find areas to improve upon. The areas that we worked on over the past 10 months based on your feedback have been working to keep overall cost down, menu and dining options, quality of our amenities, and transportation. We looked at work efficiency and workflow and made sure that we were good financial stewards by adjusting our staffing hours based on our census and acuity and streamlining positions. Resident menus and dietary selections were reviewed and modified and fine dining was added as an option for our Watkins Manor residents. We started lab draws at Watkins Manor, a service that we had already been providing at AMM/RMM. This has helped to reduce the need for transportation and brought a much needed service to our residents. Through the commitment, work, and volunteerism of staff, families, and the Winona Health Foundation and Auxiliary we were able to update some of our living areas both inside and outside. Moving forward we will continue to work to keep overall costs down. We will work to make sure that rate increases and service charges are minimal and competitive with others in our industry. We are also looking at transportation options that will meet the needs of our residents. Our hope and mission is that our customers find value in what we do and that our work tells a story that is packed with satisfaction and excitement.

Watkins Manor residents, families and staff enjoyed the fun festivities at the annual Family Picnic in June. Thanks to everyone who attended. This event is something we look forward to making special every year!

Inside this issue:

Resident Profile: Dorothy has been a resident at Adith Miller Manor for many years. She enjoys spending most of her days reading the Winona Daily News, visiting with her housemates, and watching America’s Funniest Home Videos. Dorothy has three children: Bill, Jack, and JoAnn. Jack, who lives in Tennessee, visits as often as he can and always bringing special treats from Bloedows! Dorothy just loves to visit with children whether it’s her own grandchildren, or someone else’s, her face continued p. 2

New Name

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Humor

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Edible Tidbits

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Activity Profile

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Pictures

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Directory

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Winona Health Services

Service Excellence at Memory Care

As part of Winona Health’s ongoing efforts to integrate its hospital and clinic services, Community Memorial Hospital’s name has been changed to Winona Health Services. On October 1, 2009, Winona Health Physician Clinics will become part of Winona Health Services. The Congratulations to Gina McRae (photo: middle), Resiname “Winona Health” then will refer to all hospital, dent Assistant at memory care! Gina was one of Wiclinic and senior healthcare services. nona Health’s seven Living Service Excellence Award winners announced in May. This Award is presented annually to outstanding staff who perform their jobs “This name change reflects the internal work being exceptionally well and exemplify our Service Exceldone to fully integrate hospital and clinic services to lence Standards. Here is her nomination: better serve our patients and the community,” said Mike Allen, Winona Health chief financial officer. “With an integrated healthcare organization and an electronic medical record that spans our community, Winona Health’s focus is on ensuring the best care for our patients in the appropriate setting for wellness and healing.”

“Gina has worked in our memory care homes as a full-time Resident Assistant for many years. She is a "gentle leader” and an exceptional role model. If I had to use one word to describe Gina it would be "mentor" - she is reliable, honest and trustworthy. Gina takes a special interest in our residents and quickly identifies needs and works to get those needs met. Right out of a "Disney" story, she has been known to meet family Winona Health and Winona Clinic merged on January at a department store to help pick out a winter coat 1, 2008. The community healthcare system traces its that will work well for a resident or to take glasses in roots to 1894 when citizens and physicians raised for repair. She works efficiently and takes on extra money to remodel the former Langley Home into Wi- responsibilities. Her managers believe that what she nona General Hospital. The community continued to does on a day-to-day basis helps our department be support the expansion of local healthcare services more efficient and effective. She has a can-do attiand, in 1962, the hospital moved to its present locatude and never complains about her work load or tion on Mankato Avenue. schedule. Gina can be counted on to work with integrity, always doing the right thing for our customers. She has built trusting relationships with her work group, and she is a valuable asset to our department, our residents and their families. We are so lucky that Gina is a member of our team!”

Feature Resident continued from page 1 always lights up when there is children in the room. Dorothy didn’t quite finish school when she was younger. She explained, “I was going to have to work anyways so why not start then instead of waiting?”. Dorothy has a great sense of humor and loves a good laugh. She can often be found sitting next to a housemate talking up a storm - probably a skill she acquired from her customers when her and her husband owned Bell’s Bar on Winona’s east end. Till this day Dorothy shares memories of days as a bar owner. Can you imagine all the stories she has? To view past publications of our newsletter, please visit our website at winonahealth.org and click on “News & Publications” .

Shopping Outings

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Cartoon Fun from todaysseniors.com

Next Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group Wednesday, August 12th at 6:00 p.m. CMH-Parkview Conference Room Topic: Open Discussion & Support For more info. contact Cheryl Krage at 494.7496

Each Thursday at Watkins Manor we have a shopping outing to one of the local stores. We have visited Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Shopko, the Dollar Store, Fleet Farm, Penney’s, Hy-Vee and the Winona Mall. We spend an hour, usually 1:30 to 2:30 at the store, and each resident is dropped off and picked up at the front door of the establishment. At times some residents go along for the ride just to see how prices have changed in the past few years.

Watkins Manor will hold an open house for the community on Friday, July 17th. Mellows Fellows will provide entertainment and refreshments will be served.

Edible Tid Bits News from Watkins Dining Services

Tuesday July 14th Wednesday July 15

Made to Order Breakfast th

Wednesday July 22nd th

Tuesday July 28

Join us! Sign up on the sheet in the lobby and we are always happy to see new faces on our outings. Also if anyone has an idea for a new shopping excursion just let Nola or Cheryl know and we will attempt to meet your request. Future shopping trips are also discussed at the monthly Resident Forum.

Grill Out State Fair Theme Day Made to Order Omelets

Resident’s get ready for the fair! On Wednesday July 22nd Watkins staff will be hosting a County Fair Theme Day. There will be games, trivia, and fair food for lunch. Bean Bag Toss ~*~ Dollar Bingo~*~Trivia~*~ & fair food for lunch!

Watkins Manor resident E-mail: [email protected]. E-mail your loved one, and Nola will deliver it personally to them!

Staff Directory Mary Miller-Hyland, Administrator

THE

507.457.4335 [email protected]

IN LIFE

BEST THINGS IN AREN’T THINGS..

Cheryl Krage, Manager 507.494.7496 [email protected] Paula Walter, RN

Watkins Manor took a trip to the Eagle Center in Wabasha. What an educational experience!

507.494.7478 [email protected] Jennifer Ready, Supervisor 507.457.4560

(bottom) Bob K. and his daughter, Mary, enjoyed the festivities at the Watkins Manor Family Picnic.

[email protected] Nancy Slaby, Admin. Secretary 507.494.7400 [email protected] Nola Skappel, Life Enrichment 507.494.7483 [email protected] Winona Health’s assisted living offers apartment-style living at Watkins Manor and specialized memory care at Adith Miller Manor and Roger Metz Manor.

Residents and family at Adith Miller Manor and Roger Metz Manor enjoyed a BBQ on a warm summer evening in June. Over 30 guests were in attendance!

(left) Everyone gathered in the garden to fill their plates with all the fixings - potato salad, baked beans, potato chips and water melon.

(left) David, and his mother, Nola, take a moment to pose for a picture. (left to right) Alice, Cindy, Arline, and Gladys just finished preparing their Amish Bread.

Winona Health is proud of its 113-year tradition of serving the healthcare needs of the Winona regional community.