Ecumen Home Care & Hospice-Litchfield Receives Grant from Operation Round Up

Ecumen Home Care & Hospice-Litchfield has received a $2,000 grant from Operation Round Up®, the charitable arm of the Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association.

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Enventis Grant Brings More Technology to Ecumen Pathstone Living

Thanks to a technology grant from Enventis, a communications company headquartered in Mankato, Minn., more residents at Ecumen Pathstone Living are going digital.

Enventis, formerly known as HickoryTech, gave a $2,000 grant to Ecumen Pathstone Living to purchase iPads and iPods, which residents are now using to listen to music, play games and access YouTube.  Also, some residents are using the devices to listen to church services as well as nature sounds.  The grant money was also used to purchase a $250 Amazon gift card to be used for downloading books and music.

 In the photo (below) resident Willy Kjarum learns about the iPad from Jodi Fales, a recreation assistant.                

Beth Colway, the development coordinator at Ecumen Pathstone Living, says the activities staff has been introducing the new equipment to residents, who are enjoying all the new possibilities.

Enventis offers broadband Internet, digital TV, and voice and data services to businesses and consumers in southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa and other communication and data systems to businesses across a five-state region. 

Ecumen Pathstone Living, which has been serving the Mankato area for more than 75 years, provides services including skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, memory care, and assisted living apartments. Pathstone also offers home care, adult day services, and catering services. More than 500 people each day benefit directly from Pathstone services. Ecumen Pathstone Living is owned by Ecumen, the most innovative leader in senior services.

In the photo (below) Enventis representatives Jennifer Spaude and Janet McCullough make the ceremonial check presentation to Jennifer Pfeffer, executive director of Ecumen Pathstone Living.


Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Lights of Honor Community Celebrations Honor, Remember, Celebrate

Honor lights are being lit across Minnesota as Ecumen communities host their annual "Lights of Honor" celebrations.

Last week, Ecumen Oaks & Pines in Hutchinson, Ecumes of Litchfield, Ecumen Scenic Shores in Two Harbors, and Ecumen LeCenter raised over $3,000, with all proceeds benefitting the local Ecumen community.

Honor someone whose life impacts yours.
Remember a loved one who has passed away.
Celebrate the caregivers that make a difference in your life.

Lights of Honor celebrations will take place at the following locations in upcoming weeks:

Ecumen Bethany Community: October 19 (Alexandria)
Ecumen Country Neighbors - Lake Crystal: November 1
Ecumen Detroit Lakes: November 3 
Ecumen Home Office: October 23 (Shoreview)
Ecumen Lakeshore: October 10 (Duluth)
Ecumen Lakeview Commons: October 24 (Maplewood)
Ecumen Meadows: October 13 (Worthington)
Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley: November 10
Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood: October 25
Ecumen Parmly LifePointes: November 3 (Chisago City)
Ecumen PathstoneLiving: November 3 (Mankato)
Ecumen Prairie Hill: October 24 (St. Peter)
Ecumen Prairie Lodge: October 24 (Brooklyn Center)

For more information or to purchase an Honor Light, visit www.ecumengiving.org or a local Ecumen community.

 


Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

St. Croix Hospice Team Wins 2013 Ecumen Changing Aging Invitational Golf Tournament

Congratulations to Team St. Croix Hospice, winners of the 2013 Ecumen Changing Aging Invitational held earlier this month in Roseville, Minn. Twenty-two teams participated in this year's tournament and helped raise funds and awareness for Ecumen Awakenings. Ecumen's innovative Awakenings program is working to transform America's culture of care for people living with Alzheimer's and related dementias by reducing the use of psychotropic drugs and other medications. Visit www.ecumenawakenings.org for more information or www.ecumengiving.org to lend your support!


Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Dena Meyer Named Ecumen Director of Business Development

 

Dena Meyer has been named director of business development at Ecumen.

Dena has 15 years of senior housing experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and has developed more than 1,000 senior housing units in the Twin Cities. She recently served as interim housing manager of Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley and was the first director of marketing for that community, overseeing initial sales efforts and opening events. Before that, she was the developer of the award-winning Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood, and she also worked on the development of Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley.

 “Dena has a deep understanding of how planning, marketing, development and operations relate to successful communities,” said Steve Ordahl, Ecumen senior vice president of business development. “She forges strong and productive business relationships and approaches her work with resourcefulness and imagination.”

Dena is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict/St John’s University and lives in Prior Lake.

 


Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Jim Klobuchar: Vikings Get More than a Victory in London

You can read Ecumen blogger Jim Klobuchar's analysis of the MInnesota Vikings' first victory in this post he did today for MinnPost.


Judy Blaseg's Role as Philanthropy VP Gets Personal

Judy Blaseg recently signed on as vice president of philanthropy at Ecumen. While she has raised money for good causes her entire career, this new job involves fundraising that is especially personal.

Judy’s mother is now in a dementia and Alzheimer’s care facility, much like those Ecumen operates, as was her now-deceased aunt, who had early onset Alzheimer’s.

“I know first-hand that it takes dedicated caregivers, safe and structured surroundings—and philanthropy—to ensure that those who need this specialized care receive it,” Judy says.

Judy grew up with an understanding of senior services. Her mother worked for 30 years as an activities director in a long-term care community. So when the Ecumen opportunity came her way, Judy felt a compelling convergence of experience and passion.

Now her work life and home life complement each other in special ways. On a recent visit to Ecumen Lakeview Commons in Maplewood she noted that every Thursday night is bonfire-and-smores night. That sparked an idea.

“My mother’s 85th birthday is coming up, and I have decided to give my hometown nursing home a bonfire pit in her honor,” Judy says. “I just loved that idea, and I hope my mom will soon be toasting marshmallows with her pals, just like they do at Lakeview Commons.”

Judy grew up in Hand County, South Dakota. For the past 25 years, she has worked in philanthropy and fundraising for numerous local and national organizations, including Catholic Charities, VocalEssence, and the Jeremiah Program. She has served on many boards including Mill City Summer Opera, Citizens League, DeLaSalle High School and MinnPost. She and her husband live in Minneapolis and have three children.

“Since coming to Ecumen, I’ve already met so many grateful family members who truly appreciate what we do, and I so personally understand their gratitude,” Judy says. “It connects me in a special way and makes my job so much more meaningful.”