Vanilla Times June 2009

June 2009 MONTHLY PUBLICATION

From Cheryl’s Desk

Beat the Heat

This month, beginning June 15th, our Host/Hostess staff at Watkins Manor will experience a change. They will be joining the Food and Nutrition department at Watkins Manor. While their position will still work to serve and meet the needs of our residents at meals, their new position will help support additional areas of food service. We feel this is a good fit for this position and that this change will best utilize staff in both areas. There will also be a cost savings by combining the roles of these two areas. We feel this change will not have any negative impact on our service to the residents, but anticipate some kinks as we work through the transition. This change is an example of ways we are working to keep our cost to our residents down without impacting the quality of care we provide. We have not experienced a rate increase in at AMM/RMM since October 2007 or at Watkins since January of 2008. Our goal is to always be working to make sure that our residents do not experience rate increases without first looking at our areas of spending. We are thankful, as all staff has been instrumental in working to identify ways to be cost effective. From turning off unnecessary lighting, to effective menu planning, to taking low census hours, to watching the use of supplies, they certainly have shown their commitment. We welcome all suggestions and ideas from you as well. We are proud of the service we provide in our assisted living communities and always working on ways to best serve our residents. Thank you for choosing us. It is our pleasure to serve you.

As we age, our bodies do not regulate temperature as well as they used to. That puts us at risk for heat-related illnesses. Make sure that you are remembering these tips for beating the heat. 1. Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing that is loosefitting for air circulation. 2. Wear a hat or use an umbrella when outside, even if you are not in the direct sun. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater anytime you go outside. 3. Water is the beverage of choice in the summer. Drink water before outdoor activities and drink water at regular intervals during the day.

Inside this issue:

Resident Profile: Mae F. One of the first things you notice about Mae when you first meet her is her warm smile. She has developed many friendships in the three years she has resided Watkins Manor.

Retirement

2

Humor

3

Edible Tidbits

3

Activity Profile

3

Pictures

4

Directory

4

at

Mae grew up in Winona and graduated from Winona State Teachers College. She spent most of her career teaching 4th grade. Mae feels that one of the most clever inventions of the century is the computer! Oh my, how much schools have changed. continued p. 2

Page 2

Bunny Bennick, RN, Retires After 37 Years with Winona Health 37 years of nursing… 1930 weeks 19,460,120.4 Minutes 1,167,607,224 Seconds We were lucky to have you every second you were with us!

The Gift of a Nurse God took one pair of angel wings, One halo heart of gold. Two eyes that hold compassion For others, young or old. Two hands to offer kindness, Always putting others first... He wrapped it up With tender care And called this gift a "NURSE". ~Author Unknown~

Feature Resident continued from page 1 Mae enjoys spending her time sewing, reading, and doing crossword puzzles. Mae loves salads, watching Wheel of Fortune, and her favorite color is blue. Mae is blessed with 1 son, 1 daughter, and 3 step-children. When asked what is one of her favorite things at Watkins Manor, she replied, “The help—they are great!”. Thank you, Mae, for choosing Watkins Manor assisted living as your home.

To view past publications of our newsletter, please visit our website at winonahealth.org and click on “News & Publications” .

Activity Profile: Oh, Shoot!

Page 3

Watkins residents always enjoy a challenge and games so weekly at Watkins Manor we play a dice game called “Oh Shoot”.

Cartoon Fun from todaysseniors.com

It is fun, exciting and makes the participants laugh a great deal. There is always a prize for the winner and during the weekly session we have time for two games.

Next Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group Wednesday, June 10th at 6:00 p.m. ~ CMH-Parkview Conference Room Topic: Open Discussion & Support ~ For more info. contact Cheryl Krage at 494.7496

Adith Miller Manor & Roger Metz Manor Family BBQ Thursday, June 25th at 4:30 in the garden

Congratulations to the WATs Moving winner for May: Gladys B. Way to go!

We have been fortunate to have had a volunteer, Kayla, from WSU lead and keep score for the group but she will be returning home for the summer so Laura, another WSU student will be taking over the group. We play on Fridays at 1:15, so join us, as we finish up before the afternoon music performance. See you there!

This year’s theme: Patriotic Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers on

Edible Tid Bits

Sunday, June 21

News from Watkins Dining Services

Made to Order Breakfast

Tuesday June 9

Family Picnic

Thursday June 11

Potato Pancake Eat-In

Tuesday June 16

June Grill Out

Wednesday June 17 *enjoy root beer floats

Fine Dining at CMH

Thursday June 18 for supper

Coca Cola Special

Wednesday June 24 for Supper

At the request of some diabetic resident’s Julie will be bringing in some sugar free cherry and apple pie to have available for dessert. If anyone has any diabetic dessert recipes they would like to share with Julie please do so and we can make them to have available as well. Anita will be sharing a diabetic cookie recipe with Julie so look for that in the future.

Aprons From the Past Sandy Erdmann did a presentation of “Aprons From the Past” at Watkins Manor. Ladies gathered to view aprons and show off the ones they have.

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 507.457.4335

TO

plant IS TO believe IN TOMORROW

[email protected] Cheryl Krage, Manager 507.494.7496 [email protected] Paula Walter, RN 507.494.7478 [email protected] Jennifer Ready, Supervisor 507.457.4560 [email protected] Nancy Slaby, Admin. Secretary 507.494.7400 [email protected] Nola Skappel, Life Enrichment 507.494.7483 [email protected]

A special thanks for the Dunn family for their generous donations to the Watkins Manor courtyard. Dick and his wife, Sue, stand around new planters blooming with a beautiful array of flowers sitting atop a new cement patio area. All of this was donated in memory of Dick’s beloved mother, Marie, who resided at Watkins Manor.

Adith Miller Manor & Roger Metz Manor Assisted living for memory care Watkins Manor Assisted living

(left to right) Dorothy, Gladys, and Rose enjoy spending time in the flower and vegetable beds at Watkins Manor.

Joan (right) stands next to her friend, Nola, near a very special geranium plant. The plant was given to Joan’s family six years ago as a gift in memory of her daughter, Molly. Joan’s daughter, Amy, has been taking loving care of it every since. This mother plant has created many “babies” over the years. The mother plant, and a few of her children, now reside in the garden at Roger Metz Manor and Adith Miller Manor.

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