Cerenity Senior Care

Bingo, Root Beer Floats and Smiles

paula.mielke — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:04:32 +0000

The best gift you can give an older adult is one-on-one time. That’s the lesson 18 students from Community of Peace Academy in St. Paul learned when they visited Cerenity Residence-Humboldt this week. The homeroom for the school’s freshman is an ethics class. The curriculum focus is “Care for self, care for others,” and students are encouraged to participate in a service project. While at Humboldt, the students played Bingo with residents in the memory care program and made and served root beer floats. It was a special time for young and old alike. To view more photos visit Cerenity Facebook.

Celebrating National Nursing Home Week May 13-19

paula.mielke — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:40:59 +0000

Cerenity Senior Care’s 1,000 plus employees are hardworking, dedicated, compassionate people. We know that, and we want others to know it as well. That’s why during National Nursing Home Week, May 13 to 19, Cerenity Senior Care is airing announcements on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). At our Care Centers this week, special activities for staff and residents are being held, from Hat Day to medallion hunts to concerts to raffle drawings. If you happen to be visiting one of our Care Centers, please take a moment to thank our staff and let them know how much they are appreciated.

Prom Grand March Held at Cerenity White Bear Lake

paula.mielke — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:55:28 +0000

Fifty couples attending White Bear Lake High School prom participated in a grand march at Cerenity Senior Care – White Bear Lake. Residents “oohed and aahed” when the coupled sashayed through the dining room and then stopped to spin so they could be seen from all angles – sometimes the girl spun, sometimes the guy, and sometimes both. The residents thoroughly enjoyed seeing the young people in their beautiful dresses and formal tuxes. Several of the grand march participants are employees, children of employees, volunteers or grandchildren of residents. Jeff Wahl, LPN, took time to see his sons David and Dan promenade through the room. David and Dan work in dietary, along with David’s date Tierney. Dan’s date, Megan, is a former volunteer. Darian Hagandorf, a CNA and college freshman, escorted Madison, a senior. To view more pictures, visit the Cerenity Facebook page. A grand march photo also is posted on the White Bear Press website.

The grand march at Cerenity White Bear Lake is a long tradition. Students who participate receive a ticket that places them further up in the official grand march at the high school.

Cerenity White Bear Lake Welcomes New Therapy Team

paula.mielke — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:22:02 +0000

Welcome to our new therapy team! For several years, Cerenity Senior Care contracted with Aegis Therapies to provide rehabilitation therapy at Cerenity Care Centers. In efforts to continue to improve our services and outcomes, Cerenity recently decided to develop our own in-house therapy departments. We will continue to provide great therapy services. By moving the departments in-house, we now have more flexibility for providing new levels of care. Thea Brown, Benedictine Health System regional director for rehab services, East Metro, will oversee all Cerenity therapy departments. Several Aegis staff members are now Cerenity employees.

Friends and Neighbors of the Famous Ingalls

paula.mielke — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:59:01 +0000

“My mother and Laura were friends and attended school together,” said Wally, a tenant at Cerenity Marian. “Their families were neighbors and farmed along the banks of Plum Creek.” Yes, that’s right. Wally’s mother and the famous Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House” series, were childhood friends. How did we learn this? When Wally mentioned he lived in Walnut Grove, Minn., through seventh grade, we couldn’t resist asking if he grew up along the banks of Plum Creek. We loved learning his family’s history. No, his mother didn’t live in a sod house like the Ingalls, but her family had a sod root cellar. His grandparents talked about the grasshoppers. No, his mother never mentioned a girl named Nellie Olson.

Wally said his mother, a school teacher and later a principal, actively followed Laura’s books. And when Laura returned to Walnut Grove for visits, she stayed with Wally’s family on two occasions.

The Ingalls moved to Walnut Grove in the spring of 1874 when Laura was age 7. They moved in the fall of 1876, and then returned in 1878 and lived in Walnut Grove another year before moving to DeSmet, S.D.

Emptying the Nest Made Easy

paula.mielke — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:50:48 +0000

When it’s time to move or sell your home, is an estate sale a good option or should you donate items to charities? Which nonprofits accept furniture and household goods? What is the best way to dispose of paints, stains and paint thinners? What items can be recycled? Sharon Fischman of Empty the Nest answered these and other questions when she recently spoke at a Dementia Support Group meeting for caregivers at Cerenity Senior Care –South St. Paul. Sharon makes emptying a home prior to a move seamless for the owner. She also connects with artists who repurpose materials, such as Linda Pechous. Linda builds furniture from wooden skis, paddles and deck materials.

Open House and Panel Discussion on Planning Ahead for Senior Care April 22

paula.mielke — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:01:53 +0000

Cerenity Senior Care – Marian of Saint Paul is hosting an open house and panel discussion on “Before the Unexpected Happens – Planning Ahead for Senior Care,” Sun., April 22, 1 to 3 p.m. Panel participants representing all levels of senior care and housing will discuss services available to help seniors stay in their homes, different levels of senior care and housing, the admissions process, and how to pay for care. Tours will be available. Early attendees are welcome to attend noon Mass in Cerenity Marian’s Chapel of St. Mary. For information about the open house, call 651-793-2102.

Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy Award Recipients Announced

paula.mielke — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:09:22 +0000

Three Cerenity Senior Care employees received the Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy award for their positive behavior to residents, family members and staff, and for modeling the core values of Cerenity and Benedictine Health System (BHS). They were nominated for the award by their co-workers. Cerenity’s Core Values are Collaboration, Hospitality, Respect and Stewardship.

Blanca Mendez has worked as a cook at Cerenity Humboldt for 30 years. A co-worker wrote, “Blanca’s job means a lot to her and she does a great job at it.” She is known for her culinary skills and gets many compliments from residents and staff. She always greets residents and talks with them at mealtime. Blanca also takes time to get to know her co-workers on a personal level, and if one is out sick for a few days, she will call to check on them. Outside of work, Blanca always has time for the people and friends in her life and volunteers at her church, Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Molly Glover, a certified nursing assistant at Cerenity Marian, has the ability to make all residents feel comfortable and cared for and always tries to think of new or better ways to care for each one. “Molly is so compassionate, caring and gentle with our residents. They light up when she enters a room.” Molly holds high expectations for herself and expects the same of others. She takes initiative to identify tasks that need to be done and “is one of the very first people to step in and help whomever or wherever she is needed.”

Karen Hilleren, a certified nursing assistant and trained medication aide for more than 30 years at Cerenity White Bear Lake, has an infectious, positive attitude. “Karen can put a smile on anyone’s face – co-workers and residents alike,” commented the employee who nominated Karen for the award. She described Karen as a team player who will work where needed and do it with a smile. She also doesn’t show stress and works well under pressure, and she is respectful and treats everyone with dignity. “The residents she cares for are happy when she is here and ask about her when she is not.”

Each of the Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy award recipients received an honorarium to use for personal self-improvement education and a specially designed certificate and pin.

The Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy employee recognition program was established by the BHS Foundation. Cerenity Senior Care is a faith-based partnership between BHS, HealthEast Care System and Clement Manor.

Molly Glover Receives Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy Award

paula.mielke — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:02:23 +0000

Molly Glover received the Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy award for her positive behavior to residents, family members and staff, and for modeling the Core Values of Cerenity Senior Care and Benedictine Health System (BHS). Cerenity’s Core Values are Collaboration, Hospitality, Respect and Stewardship.

Molly, a certified nursing assistant at Cerenity Marian, has the ability to make all residents feel comfortable and cared for and always tries to think of new or better ways to care for each one. “Molly is so compassionate, caring and gentle with our residents. They light up when she enters a room.” Molly holds high expectations for herself and expects the same of others. She takes initiative to identify tasks that need to be done and “is one of the very first people to step in and help whomever or wherever she is needed.”

Molly will receive an honorarium to use for personal self-improvement education and a specially designed certificate and pin.

The Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy employee recognition program was established by the BHS Foundation. Cerenity is a faith-based partnership between BHS, HealthEast Care System and Clement Manor.

Karen Hilleren Receives Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy Award

paula.mielke — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:59:26 +0000

Karen Hilleren received the Sister Claudia Riehl Living a Legacy award for her positive behavior to residents, family members and staff, and for modeling the Core Values of Cerenity Senior Care and Benedictine Health System (BHS). Cerenity’s Core Values are Collaboration, Hospitality, Respect and Stewardship.

Karen, a certified nursing assistant and trained medication aide for more than 30 years at Cerenity White Bear Lake, has an infectious, positive attitude. “Karen can put a smile on anyone’s face – co-workers and residents alike,” commented the employee who nominated Karen for the award. She described Karen as a team player who will work where needed and do it with a smile. She also doesn’t show stress and works well under pressure, and she is respectful and treats everyone with dignity. “The residents she cares for are happy when she is here and ask about her when she is not.”

Karen will receive an honorarium to use for personal self-improvement education and a specially designed certificate and pin.