senior housing, senior living

Ecumen Pathstone opens new independent living facility

Ecumen Pathstone opens new independent living facility

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – Latitude Independent Living has been open to residents since February, but due to the pandemic, they were not able to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new facility overlooks the Minnesota River Valley.

The brand-new building features a terrace, an entertainment area and living spaces. The building was built and designed with the thought of serving the older Mankato community.

“It has been a long time coming, we have been working on this project for a number of years really,” said Laura Templin, a senior living consultant at Ecumen Pathstone. “So to see it all come together today and to start welcoming our first occupants here has been really exciting.”

The independent living building is filling up fast with residents, which has Ecumen Pathstone optimistic about its future in Mankato.


Senior man and woman having coffee at table seen through window

Ecumen Announces Latest Advancement in Senior Care as it Celebrates its 91-Year History in Duluth

Latest Advancement in Senior Care as it Celebrates its 91-Year History in Duluth

Abxtracker Technology Designed to Improve Care and Quality of Life for Older Adults

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | By Angie Andresen | June 24th, 2021

SHOREVIEW, Minn. – (June 24, 2021) — Throughout its 91 years in Duluth, innovation has been a hallmark of Ecumen Lakeshore’s approach to care. Today, Ecumen announced its latest advancement at a 91st anniversary celebration in Duluth.

One of the largest senior care and services providers in the country and among the 25 largest healthcare organizations in Minnesota, Ecumen announced that it has acquired abxtracker as the first technology tool in its new suite of technology solutions designed to improve quality of life and patient/resident outcomes. Ecumen is marketing this product to senior providers on a national level.

Developed by two seasoned, Duluth-based senior care pharmacists, abxtracker is an antibiotic and infection control tracking software designed for long term care and assisted living, and aligned with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations. The technology allows providers to electronically track antibiotic use in real time, with the ultimate objective of reducing the use of antibiotics in senior care.

Matt Just, director of clinical data solutions for Ecumen, was one of the developers of this software. “I had continually seen the need for a system to support antibiotic stewardship in the senior living space. We know that the overuse and over prescription of antibiotics can lead to negative outcomes, including increasing bacterial resistance,” Just said.

Beyond antibiotics, the abxtracker technology has expanded to infection control surveillance, which allows clinical teams to identify infection trends in real time and implement precautions to reduce the chance of spreading infections. The abxtracker technology has the ability to track COVID-19, as well as other viral, fungal or bacterial infections such as influenza and norovirus among residents and staff.

“This is such an exciting development for us,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen president and CEO. “We are constantly working to enhance the lives of the older adults that we serve in our communities. This technology is addressing a real issue for seniors while at the same time, it allows clinical caregivers to focus on direct patient care.”

“Ecumen’s rich history is, in part, rooted in our value of innovation,” Kendrick said. “The one constant in our industry is change, and over the past nearly 160 years, we have evolved to better meet the needs of those we serve. Technology enhancements like this allow us to not only better serve Ecumen’s residents, but also serve more people — wherever they live.”

About Ecumen Lakeshore

Ecumen Lakeshore began in 1930 as the Lakeshore Home for the Aged. It was a traditional 14-bed nursing home owned and managed by the Board of Social Ministry, a nonprofit that later became Ecumen. In the late 1990s, Ecumen transformed Lakeshore into a leading regional center for contemporary senior living and care. The new campus — constructed in 2005 — has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to caring for older adults, transforming itself from a nursing home to a state-of-the-art senior community offering a full continuum of services including short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, outpatient therapy, assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, hospice and other services. Ecumen Lakeshore is one of Duluth’s largest employers with nearly 250 team members who serve more than 2,200 people annually.

In addition to Lakeshore, Ecumen’s footprint in the Duluth area includes Zvago Lake Superior, an independent cooperative living community; Mount Royal Pines III, and Lakeland Shores. In total, Ecumen serves nearly 2,400 people and employs more than 300 team members from this key regional center.

 

About Ecumen

Ecumen is a nonprofit provider, developer and operator of award-winning living spaces and innovative technology and services for older adults. Mission-driven since its founding in 1862, Ecumen’s legacy of service is a reflection of a commitment to honoring those it serves. One of the country’s largest senior housing and services providers, Ecumen is based in Shoreview, Minn., and operates properties and services in multiple states, and provides new development, management and consulting services. Housing options include cooperative living, independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care communities. Its diverse in-home and community-based services include home care, hospice, physical and occupational therapy, adult day services, technology products and an online durable goods medical store. Ecumen is a recipient of the 2020 NRC Health Customer Approved Award, a reflection of resident and family member ratings. For more information, visit ecumen.org.


senior housing, senior living

Construction well underway on Ecumen Pathstone’s new Independent Living and Memory Care

Construction well underway on Ecumen Pathstone’s new Independent Living and Memory Care

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – The 3 story building will be connected to Ecumen Pathstone’s existing assisted living units.

It will feature 56 independent living apartments and 24 new memory care units which will replace existing units.

“There is strong research that independent living is very much something that the Mankato community could use right now and we are committed to keeping seniors safe and connected during this time,” said Ecuman Pathstone Sales Marketing Manager, Laura Templin.

The Independent Living community will be called Latitude and the Memory Care Community has been named Landing.

The building is set to have a Scandinavian theme, equipped with a lifelong learning center, library, club lounge and rooftop patio overlooking the Minnesota River Valley and bluffs.

The project plans to be completed in February of 2021.

Construction well underway on Ecumen Pathstone’s new Independent Living and Memory Care
Construction well underway on Ecumen Pathstone’s new Independent Living and Memory Care


senior housing, senior living

Ecumen Pathstone Announces Names and Details for Its New Independent Living Offering

Ecumen Pathstone Announces Names and Details for Its New Independent Living Offering

New complex, now offering full continuum of care, scheduled to open in February 2021.

Ecumen | Oct 7th 2020

Ecumen Pathstone Latitude Independent Living - Exterior 2MANKATO, Minn., Oct. 7, 2020 — Ecumen Pathstone today announced the names for its new Independent Living and Memory Care offerings, as well as the opening of its new sales office downtown. Celebrating its location on the 44th Parallel North, the Independent Living community will be called Latitude. The Memory Care community has been named Landing.

“We’re so delighted to be adding this service to our community, offering residents a full continuum of care, and welcoming new residents in February,” said Jennifer Pfeffer, regional operations director for Ecumen. “Construction is well underway and we’ve begun to take reservations at our new storefront sales office. We’re excited to meet our potential residents in this new space.” Sales office visits are by appointment only, and can be made by calling (507) 381-3255 or visiting ecumenpathstone.org/latitude.

The storefront sales office is located on 600 S. Riverfront Dr., Mankato, and also will house The Ecumen Store. The Ecumen Store’s hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. “We wanted to have an off-campus place where we can safely invite our neighbors in to see floor plans, review artist renderings of the space, and ask questions,” Pfeffer said.

Ecumen Pathstone Latitude Independent Living - Interior

Latitude will feature Scandinavian-influenced architecture and furnishings, and the floor plans all named after other cities around the world that are on the 44th Parallel North. Other amenities in the community reflect that theme. The club room — Club 44 — includes a fireplace as well as pool and poker tables. Telescope Terrace overlooks the beautiful Minnesota River valley and bluffs. The Parallel fitness room, Cardinal Point learning center and Compass Corner activity room are among the many shared spaces for safe community and private gatherings. Ecumen Pathstone is near downtown, Sibley Park, and many trails.

“For some time, we’ve been asking what people in this community are looking for in terms of living spaces,” Pfeffer said. “What we’ve heard is that in addition to the location and amenities, people want to live in a welcoming community and in a place they trust — especially at this time. We’re so proud to have been part of this community for more than 80 years, and we look forward to serving even more people at Latitude.”

With the addition of Independent Living, the Pathstone community offers comprehensive care services, including Rehabilitation/Transitional Care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Adult Day, Care Center, Home Care, and The Ecumen Store. Ecumen, one of the nation’s top nonprofit providers of housing and services for older adults, was founded in 1862 as a Lutheran social service agency and began serving the greater Mankato area in 1937 as the Mankato Lutheran Home.

Named one of six senior living providers to watch in 2020 by Senior Housing News and recipient of NRC Health Customer Approved Award, Ecumen’s mission is to continue serving more people in meaningful, innovative ways.  Ecumen develops living spaces, home and community-based services and workspaces that reflect its commitment to exceptional care, advocacy for those it serves and employs, equality and inclusivity.  Based in Shoreview, Minn., Ecumen operates nearly 100 properties and services in more than 40 communities in multiple states. Additionally, the company provides consulting services in management, marketing and development.


Senior man and woman having coffee at table seen through window

Lutheran Services in America names Ecumen a Front Line Hero

Front Line Hero Awarded to Ecumen by Lutheran Services in America

"We are honored to have been recognized as a Front Line Hero in our ongoing work to fight COVID-19 by Lutheran Services in America. Our caregivers' dedication to those we serve inspires us every day."

- President and CEO Shelley Kendrick 


NRC Health Customer Approved award badge 2020

30 senior living organizations recognized for delivering ‘exceptional experiences’

30 senior living organizations recognized for delivering 'exceptional experiences'

Thirty senior living and care organizations have been recognized as winners in NRC Health’s second annual Employee Approved Awards and Customer Approved Awards, the healthcare consumer data and content company announced Tuesday. The awards, which were presented at the 26th Annual NRC Health Symposium, a virtual event this year, recognize organizations from across the country for “delivering exceptional customer and employee experiences.”

Customer Approved Awards were selected based on performance ratings from family and residents, and the awards also were based on net promoter scores, a measure of satisfaction, and a proxy measure for loyalty. Organizations with fewer than 10 eligible facilities were omitted from consideration. Systems were then rank-ordered, and the top 20 organizations were selected for each award category.

2020 Customer Approved winners

  1. National HealthCare Corp., Murfreesboro, TN
  2. American Medical Facilities Management, Charleston, WV
  3. Ascension Health, St. Louis
  4. Vetter Senior Living, Elkhorn, NE
  5. Lutheran SeniorLife, Mars, PA
  6. Schonberg Care, Metairie, LA
  7. Solaris Healthcare, Orlando, FL
  8. Berkshire Healthcare, Pittsfield, MA
  9. Americare Senior Living, Sikeston, MO
  10. Ecumen, Shoreview, MN
  11. American Senior Communities, Indianapolis, IN
  12. Diversicare Healthcare Services, Brentwood, TN
  13. HCR ManorCare Assisted Living Facility Division, Toledo, OH
  14. Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation, Cleveland, TN
  15. Covenant Health Systems, Tewksbury, MA
  16. Providence Health and Services, Renton, WA
  17. Lutheran Services Carolinas, Salisbury, NC
  18. Trinity Health Continuing Care, Livonia, MI
  19. Ethica, Gray, GA
  20. The Goodman Group, Chaska, MN


Best of 2018 - 1st Place Mankato

Ecumen Pathstone Living Voted Best Senior Community in Mankato Four Years in a Row

Ecumen Pathstone Living has been voted best senior living community in Mankato for the fourth straight year by readers of Mankato Magazine, a publication of the Mankato Free Press.

Read more


Five Ecumen Sites Get National “Best Nursing Home” Rating from U.S. News & World Report

Five Ecumen owned and managed sites in Minnesota have received a “Best Nursing Home” rating by U.S. News & World Report magazine. 

Read more


Ecumen Century Club: Happy 103rd Birthday Frieda Westphal

Ecumen honors Frieda Westphal, a resident of Ecumen Pathstone Living, who is 103.

Read more


Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Irene Williams

Ecumen honors Irene Williams, a resident of Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, who is 100.

 

Read more