In addition to health care, we believe that the community life and dining experience are just as important in our communities. When we are first introducing someone to our community, they always ask, “What is there to do?” and “How is the food?”. By putting a strong focus on these additional areas, we find that both the resident and their family are at ease with the transition to their new home.
Several years ago, we made a transformation in our activity program. This program was centered on providing our residents with more intellectual and fulfilling activities that would show to their families, and more importantly to each other, that they can make a difference in the world. It began with small changes such as residents volunteering to pack meals for needy children, to residents learning how to paint with water colors. Part of this new activity program was to build a “Make-a-wish” type of program for our residents. Called “Dreams Can Come True”, the program has been a huge success in several of our communities. It was a resident in their 90’s learning how to email their grandkids. It was our “Harley Mama” wanting to show her grandkids that she still has “it”. And it was our residents wanting to go fishing with their families one more time. Our program is not just A Part of Them; it was living life and experiencing what we once took so much joy in doing. The resident in each of these instances and so many more, are our family members.
Our program is not just “A Part of You”……A Part of You simply means that LIFE is an EXPERIENCE. These people are still living, breathing people…they are our grandparents, our parents, our neighbors and friends, and they deserve a lot. The program has also been covered by several media outlets including KARE11-TV, KMEG-TV, KSAX-TV, The Des Moines Register, Mankato Free Press, New Ulm Journal and the Echo Press. The program also won an Excellence in Practice Award from Aging Services of Minnesota in 2008. The program has also been featured on our website and in a “live broadcast” via Facebook during our last Dreams program.
Community staff is creating an experience for your customers and prospects whether they realize it or not.
Dining and food service is an important area of care that is available to our residents. In fact, residents love mealtime! This area is not just about health and good nutrition—it’s about eating, drinking, and socializing. We take special pride in our dining services offering home-cooked meals prepared right on site. The Director of Food Services prepares all of our meals fresh each morning for our residents. If residents have a personal favorite, we invite them to our Culinary Club to share it with others and maybe even taste some new foods.
Special diets are also available, depending on individual needs. Each month, residents will have the opportunity to attend the Culinary Club hosted by the Food Services Director. Our Culinary Club is set up not only as a forum for our residents, but to learn new recipes or learn about different types of foods or even different health choices related to food.
Our dining experience reflects the image of the community. We create a dining experience that encourages residents to savor the moment. When we do that, we benefit from happier, healthier residents who have a higher level of overall satisfaction with our communities.