MEMO FROM MARGE - Clara City, Minnesota



MEMO FROM MARGE

Marge Swenson, Administrator

The City of Clara City and the Clara City Care Center recently worked with Maxfield Research, Inc. to assess the market potential for a variety of senior housing needs in the Clara City area. The study examined growth trends and demographic characteristics of the senior population in the area, analyzed the competitive situation for housing with services, and projects the demand for congregate, assisted living, memory care senior housing and skilled nursing care in the market area.

Conclusions and recommendations of this assessment will be the foundation for the development of a strategic long range plan to address the opportunities and challenges of meeting the housing needs of area seniors in the coming years. Long range planning helps us take a look at where we are now, where we want to be in the future, and guides us in developing a roadmap on how to get there. The initial step of the planning process will include collection of data, and interviews with Council and Board members as well as management and others. The next step will be to develop a two year strategic action plan focused on attainment of a five year strategic vision.

The Care Center has been providing services to area seniors for over 40 years. In developing a strategic plan for the future, we hope to anticipate the changing needs of the community and map out a course of action to successfully meet those needs.

JUST A BIT FROM JULIE

Julie Holien, Dietary Manager

Because it is cold and flu season, I thought what better topic to talk about than Guidelines for Managing Nausea and Vomiting.

Whatever the cause, nausea can keep you from getting enough food and needed nutrients. Here are some ideas that may be helpful:

1. Ask your doctor about medicine to help control nausea and vomiting. These drugs are called antiemetic.

2. Try these foods:

A. Toast and crackers

B. Yogurt

C. Sherbet

D. Pretzels

E. Angel food cake

F. Oatmeal

G. Skinned chicken (baked or broiled, not fried)

H. Fruits and vegetables that are soft or bland, such as canned peaches

I. Clear liquids, sipped slowly

J. Ice chips

3. Avoid these foods:

A. Fatty, greasy, or fried foods

B. Very sweet foods, such as candy, cookies and or cake

C. Spicy or hot foods

D. Foods with strong odors

4. Eat small amounts often and slowly

5. Avoid eating in a room that’s stuffy, too warm, or has cooking odors that might disagree with you

6. Drink fewer liquids with meals. Drinking liquids can cause a full, bloated feeling

7. Drink or sip liquids throughout the day, except at mealtimes. Using a straw may help

8. Drink beverages cool or chilled. Try freezing your favorite beverages in ice cube trays

9. Eat foods at room temperature or cooler: hot foods may add to nausea

10. Don’t force yourself to eat favorite foods when you feel nauseated. This may cause permanent dislike of those foods.

11. Rest after meals, because activity may slow digestion. It’s best to rest sitting up for about an hour after meals

12. If nausea is a problem in the morning, try eating dry toast or crackers before getting up

13. Wear loose fitting clothes

14. Try to keep track of when your nausea occurs and what causes it (specific foods, events, surroundings).

Guest Meals:

This is just a reminder of guidelines for guest meals you may want to order so you can eat with your loved one here at the Care Center.

• Guest trays for dinner are $5.00 and for supper are $4.00

• Please notify the kitchen or dietary manager the day before if possible or else please let us know by 8:00 AM the day of for dinner and 1:00 PM for supper.

• Guest trays ordered for holidays are preferred 3 days in advance.

SOMETHING FROM SARA

Sara Bipes, Social Services

As dementia progresses, communication can become more and more challenging. Sensitive, ongoing communication is important, no matter how difficult it may become or how confused the person may appear.

While the person may not always respond, he or she still requires and benefits from continued communication. When communicating with a person with dementia, it is especially important to choose your words carefully. To best communicate:

Identify yourself. Approach the person from the front. Tell the person who you are.

Call the person by name. This is not only courteous; it helps orient the person and gets his or her attention.

Use short, simple words and sentences. Don’t overwhelm the person with lengthy requests or stories. Speak in a concise manner. Keep to the point. In some cases, slang words may be helpful.

Talk slowly and clearly. Be aware of speed and clarity when speaking.

Give one-step directions. Break down tasks and instructions into clear, simple steps. Give one step at a time.

Ask one question at a time. Don’t overwhelm or confuse the person with too many questions at once.

Patiently wait for a response. The person may need extra time to process your request. Give the person the time and encouragement he or she needs to respond.

Repeat information or questions. If the person doesn’t respond, wait a moment. Then ask again. Ask the question in the same way, using the same words as before.

Turn questions into answers. Try providing the solution rather than the question. For example, say “The bathroom is right here,” instead of asking, “Do you need to use the bathroom?”

Avoid confusing expressions. If you ask the person to “Hop in!”, he or she may take that as a literal instruction. Describe the action directly to prevent confusion. “Please come here. Your shower is ready.”

Avoid vague words. Instead of saying “here it is!” – try saying, “Here is your hat.”

Emphasize key words. Stress the words in a sentence you most want to draw attention to, like “Here is your coffee.”

Turn negatives into positives. Instead of saying, “Don’t go there,” try saying, “Let’s go here.”

Give visual cues. To help demonstrate the task, point or touch the item you want the person to use. Or, begin the task for the person.

NOTATIONS FROM NANCY

Nancy Dwire, Activity Director

Lots of new and fun things are happening here at the Care Center. We started a German club where you need to be able to speak or at least understand German in order to come. The object of the club is for members to be able to speak in German to each other and not lose that ability. We also try and have a German treat; last time it was Spec ‘n Dicken. Thank you to all the volunteers that help make this a very unique and fun activity.

Quilting has started for the winter season. We have several quilters who come, some work at various stages of quilting; others just visit with us about quilting in the past. We also invite those who knit, crochet, embroider, etc. to come join our ‘party’. We plan on getting together with the Bethel Baptist ladies who help us for coffee soon.

We have also started a monthly Tea and Ideas small group. The Activity Director sets up a tea party for four and asks three different residents each month. Over tea and cookies we talk about what new activities we should try and if they would like to change any of the current ones.

Our annual resident activity satisfaction survey was done last fall, resulting in a few minor changes being made in our activity schedule. One is that we will be adding card club back on the schedule as some residents have been missing playing cards in the afternoon. Several individual requests have been addressed out of this survey also. The number one activity chosen by current residents is religious services, followed by outdoor events or just being outdoors, and music and meal groups tied for third.

The Volunteer Ombudsman also did a survey about the same time and other than the individual requests being implemented, we will make a change next spring when we start our bus outings again. We will do one sheet tracking to try balance out who goes along and how often. We did over 30 bus outings in 2007.

Out of both surveys came the gratefulness the residents feel for family and friends, how important that connection is for them. They also said that going to church, out to eat or for a ride on weekends when family is more available means a lot to them.

We are in our second week of our imaginary Trip Around the World in 90 days. The first week we were in Hawaii and this week Alaska. From there we go to Japan, Australia, Africa, France, Germany and Norway. The residents chose where to go at a Resident Council meeting. They have been given the necessary paperwork, like passports, bus tickets, plane tickets and in the future they will need cruise ship tickets and train tickets, all pretend, but it adds to the ‘realistic’ feel of our trip. We are having a meal that would be served in the location we are at and some of the snacks served are also authentic. We have so many wonderful volunteers and friends that are willing to come and share with us about their travels to these locations. We have had speakers, movies, slide shows, music, trivia, souvenirs, discussion groups and more to help us learn more about these places and also remember being there once ourselves. Anyone having things from these countries are more than welcome to contact the Activity Director about coming and sharing with the residents.

On behalf of all the residents and staff, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered time, services, and talents, made donations or ministered to us here at the Clara City Care Center in 2007. You are greatly appreciated and will be blessed for spending time here.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Theresa Wallace, Activities

Congratulations to Aaron and Michele Asmus on having a baby boy. Thomas Patrick was born on December 28th weighing in at 7 pounds and 11 ounces. He was 20 inches long. He was welcomed home by proud big brother Nicholas.

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

Diann Dirksen, Activities

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Our resident in the spotlight is Betty Petersen. She was born on December 16, 1910 to Fred and Wopha Petersen on the home farm place south of Clara City. She had 5 sisters and 4 brothers, of which 3 sisters are still living.

She attended country school District 66 through the 8th grade. She never married but helped her parents on the farm doing household chores, milking cows, feeding chickens, gardening, fieldwork and whatever else needed to be done. She worked at Jennie O Turkey Plant for 19 years. Her pastimes consisted of quilting, crocheting and babysitting her sister’s children when needed.

She doesn’t remember traveling except to Iowa for family reunions. She has been a faithful member of Bethany Reformed Church and enjoys visiting with Pastor Don, nephews and nieces, friends and family. She especially likes to visit in German, so if you speak German, come see Betty and you will have a lovely visit.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Bible Study leaders for the next three months will come from St. Clara’s Catholic Church in February, Bunde Christian Reformed Church in March and Clara City Immanuel Lutheran Church in April.

We have need of churches or person to take charge of finding Bible Study leaders for May and June. If interested contact Nancy Dwire, Activity Director at 847-2221.

Leading our Thursday afternoon church services are as follows:

February

7 Bunde Christian Reformed

14 Raymond United Methodist

21 Montevideo Our Savior’s Lutheran

28 Bethany Reformed Church

March

6 Raymond St. John’s Lutheran

13 Clara City Immanuel Lutheran

20 Raymond Christian Reformed

27 Montevideo St. Paul’s Lutheran

April

3 Roseland Reformed Church

10 Maynard Wang Lutheran

17 St. Clara’s Catholic Church

24 Sacred Heart Our Savior’s Lutheran

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