NRCinsights - Northfield Retirement Community
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
NRCinsights
MARCH 2018
VOL. 10, NO. 1 | A publication of Northfield Retirement Community
Educating the public and
caregivers about a variety of
issues related to aging.
AGING With Purpose
Whether aging adults choose to stay at home or move to a senior living community, maintaining purpose
through engagement and collaboration is proving to be ever more important – both for the individual and
the community. Northfield Retirement Community recognizes this and has been intentional about shaping a
campus community that supports a range of opportunities – from mentoring local youth to collaborating with
others at FiftyNorth, the local senior center. Aging with purpose can provide remarkable benefits to residents’
physical and mental health. continued inside
Aging With Purpose continued from cover
The Importance of Purposeful Aging
Purposeful aging stems from the idea that older adults
have unique contributions to offer society and that, in
return, they can make mental, physical and social gains.
There is more evidence today than ever before that
having a sense of purpose in one’s life is incredibly
rewarding. So not only will there be a significant payoff
today, investing in collaborations now will inspire
future generations to prioritize these activities.
Benefits of Purposeful Aging
According to reports published by the Milken Institute
Center for the Future of Aging, purposeful aging results • FiftyNorth (Formerly the Northfield Senior Center)
in a wide range of potential benefits for older adults A new partnership with FiftyNorth brings fitness
and their communities. classes to campus throughout the week and offers
• Socialization can result in decreased feelings of residents the opportunity to visit FiftyNorth for a
loneliness and isolation. broader range of classes, including water exercises.
This partnership allows residents to deepen their
• Having purpose is tied to aging adults’ physical and relationships and interactions with the greater
mental well-being and even longevity. community.
• Imparting wisdom on successor generations can • Area Churches
benefit the welfare of future societies. NRC fulfills its mission in partnership with
• Purposeful activities, such as volunteering or 20 Christian congregations throughout the
community involvement, can slow cognitive decline. Northfield area. In addition to delegates from each
congregation, which elect the board of directors
Collaboration Opportunities Abound to govern the organization, the churches offer
NRC believes that aging adults have the wisdom, many opportunities for social and educational
energy and life experience to help build a better future. programming both on the NRC campus and
We encourage involvement through a range of on- and off campus. Pastoral and youth visits as well as
off-campus opportunities and provide possibilities for fellowship luncheons with residents are provided
purposeful aging that add a meaningful dimension along with musical entertainment and opportunities
to life at NRC. And while the health benefits abound, for worship.
the organization’s leadership team believes these
partnerships are an important part of NRC’s corporate With more than 10 formal collaborations and countless
commitment to the greater Northfield community. informal partnerships, Kyle Nordine, LNHA, HSE,
President and CEO, says, “It’s important that NRC
• Greenvale Park Community School offers a full range of opportunities for our residents to
Elementary school students who take part in engage with the greater community. Northfield is rich
programming at nearby Greenvale Park Community with so many educational and experienced people
School routinely visit NRC to spend time with and organizations. We have the immense privilege of
residents. In turn, NRC residents have found partnering with them to make NRC the best it can be,
meaningful ways to give back to students and families enrich our residents’ lives and strengthen the fabric of
at the school. See the story with Lila inside » the Northfield community, all at the same time.”
NRC Conducts In-home Technology
Pilot Study
Assistive technology equips individuals and family To participate in the study, NRC identified several
caregivers with the tools they need to effectively couples on campus that appeared to be in need of
provide care, not only decreasing costs, but also caregiver resources.
increasing the length of time individuals are able to
remain living independently in their homes.
What We Found
Although each couple experienced different outcomes,
“It is apparent that the assistance of technology is an our study indicates that:
integral part of the future, not only for in-home care • Medication reminders, drink water reminders and
and monitoring, but for assisting caregivers as well,” hand exercise videos were helpful, especially in
says Northfield Retirement Community Vice President those with Parkinson’s.
of Housing and Community Outreach Shelley Holden.
• Interaction and communication from family
NRC has taken a proactive approach in its pursuit of increased in some cases.
the best possible care by funding a six-month pilot
• The ability to upload photo slideshows was seen as a
initiative that explored the ways in which in-home
fun way to engage socially.
and remote family caregivers can be supported with
assistive technology. The study • Access to games was seen as an enjoyable way to
was recently completed using spend time.
the GrandCare™ technology.
NRC is committed to the use of emerging technologies
Study Overview throughout the continuum of care.
It is predicted that family
For more information about NRC’s assistive
caregivers will be increasingly
technology services, contact Shelley Holden at
responsible for the delivery of supportive care, making
sholden@northfieldretirement.org or 507-650-7335.
assistive technologies more important than ever.
NEW LEGISLATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
ON THE HORIZON
The 2018 legislative session has of older and vulnerable adults in to supporting these changes and
begun. In the wake of last fall’s nursing homes and assisted living continuing to provide the same
series on the rising number of abuse settings. It is time to examine all special care to our residents as we
and maltreatment reports, there policies related to prevention, have for nearly 50 years. We will
are current Senate and House bills reporting and rules regarding continue to educate our residents,
being reviewed to address this issue. resident abuse. families and staff on the changes
A special work group appointed by and how it will affect the work and
At Northfield Retirement
Governor Dayton has recommended operations of our organization.
Community, we are committed
ways to improve the care and safety
Crafted With Love
NRC resident Lila Esse loves to knit warm winter hats. With a knitting
hobby that spans more than five decades, there are hundreds of
people across the globe who have been blessed with the warmth
of a “Lila hat.”
This past Christmas, Lila donated 10 of her lovely hats
to elementary school students in need who take part in
programming at nearby Greenvale Park Community School. The
hats were distributed alongside warm, colorful fleece blankets
made by NRC residents – both pieces crafted in love for NRC’s
neighbors in need.
Even better, the depth of NRC’s partnership with these students
doesn’t end there. During the fall and spring, students walk to NRC after
school to spend time with residents. Since many of the students don’t live
near their own grandparents, they look forward to spending time with their
NRC grandmas and grandpas.
NRC Director of Activities Milosha Malecha says, “Partnerships like this are very important at NRC. They ensure a
vibrant community life that deepens residents’ connections to people outside of the NRC campus. We’re thrilled to
encourage intergenerational relationships with our friends at Greenvale Park Community School.”
When you give to NRC, you support intentional programming such as this. Together, we’ll ensure we continue
to meet residents’ spiritual, physical and emotional needs in a caring environment that supports independence,
dignity and quality of life.
Continued Healthcare Workforce Collaborations
» T hrough a Workforce Solutions grant from LeadingAge
Minnesota, NRC continues to collaborate with area
educators to give middle school and high school students
opportunities to explore their skills and interests and learn
more about senior healthcare careers. Working alongside
Northfield Public Schools, Northfield Promise and St. Olaf
College, NRC educates youth firsthand on the care industry
and how they can fulfill local workforce needs.
» F unding from the Minnesota Department of Health
continues to support NRC staff members who are pursuing
a variety of nursing licensures. These funds allow employees
to develop professionally and advance in their careers.
NRC is also able to hire individuals interested in healthcare
careers and provide them with necessary funds to support
their training.
Foundation Focus INSIGHTS FOR OUR FRIENDS IN GIVING
Family Ties at NRC
NRC staff members often express Sandy and Jen’s
that their co-workers begin to feel family connection
like family. For some staff members, with NRC doesn’t
being family is reality! stop there – all three
of Jen’s sons worked
Director of Nursing Jen Warnke has as dietary aides at
worked at NRC for a total of eight NRC during their high
years. “The staff is so warm and school years. Trent,
really care about each other, and Jen’s youngest son,
the residents make me want to works in the ParkView
come to work.” One of these fellow dining rooms.
staff members is Jen’s mom, Sandy.
“It’s fun when people
ParkView Housing Coordinator discover our family
Sandy Knutson, who has worked Jen, Trent and Sandy
connections,” says
at NRC since 2014, says she loves Jen. “My grandma even lived at NRC
working with residents, seeing their being an exceptional place to
for a year! I was her nurse, and my work and fostering a supportive
smiles and hearing their stories. sons were able to visit her daily.”
She has the privilege of sharing environment for everyone on our
many of these fun moments with At NRC, we are incredibly grateful team. Interested in joining our
her daughter as well. for excellent team members like team? Visit northfieldretirement.
Sandy and Jen and the gifts from org/join to get started.
“It is awesome to work with my our generous donors that support
daughter,” says Sandy. “What a LEARN MORE: Read
an environment where four about the Amy family
blessing to see her first thing in generations can come together
the morning! I’ve loved watching and the Randolph family,
and make a difference in the lives who share similar stories, at
Jen grow and mature into a of others. We are dedicated to
successful leader.” northfieldretirement.org/news.
Make a Difference at NRC
VOLUNTEER GIVE A GIFT
Sharing your time and talent with our community You can make a financial contribution to NRC
will leave a smile on your face! Get started using the enclosed envelope or by visiting
by signing up for volunteer opportunities at northfieldretirement.org/donate.
northfieldretirement.org/volunteer. Every minute All donations to NRC are tax-deductible.
you can give will bring joy to all.NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 156
NORTHFIELD, MN
55057
900 Cannon Valley Drive • Northfield, MN 55057
For nearly 50 years, NRC has provided high-quality housing
and services specifically designed to meet the physical, social,
emotional and spiritual needs of older adults.
Independent Living Care Center
Assisted Living Short-term Care
Memory Care
Northfield Retirement Community is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
Register Now!
12th Annual NRC
Golf Classic
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Enjoy an exciting 18 holes of golf at Northfield
Golf Club while supporting the mission of NRC!
Visit northfieldretirement.org/golf to register to play,
have dinner or sponsor the NRC Golf Classic.You can also read
