As we reflect on 2015, one thing stands out- Ecumen really is "Changing Aging." Our innovative spirit, hard work and great partnerships kept Ecumen in the news, but our greatest success was making life better for our customers, their families and our employees. From the Changing Aging Blog, here is a roundup of the top news of 2015.

As we reflect on 2015, one thing stands out- Ecumen really is "Changing Aging." Our innovative spirit, hard work and great partnerships kept Ecumen in the news, but our greatest success was making life better for our customers, their families and our employees. From the Changing Aging Blog, here is a roundup of the top news of 2015.

Ecumen-Managed 'The Classic at Hillcrest Greens' in Altoona, Wisconsin To Open in Early July
The Classic at Hillcrest Greens in Altoona, Wisconsin opened its doors this year. The community includes 99 rental apartments for people 62 and older- 63 designated for independent or assisted living residents and 36 for memory care residents. The Classic includes numerous common spaces including a spa/salon, exercise/yoga studio, bistro, chapel, game room and a two-story lounge area with a view overlooking a wooded area and bluff.

Ecumen Blogger Jim Klobuchar- The Other Side of Nature's Beauty 
Ecumen Blogger Jim Klobuchar writes of his travels in Kathmandu, Nepal, a place that he states "stirs me like none other in the world."

Ground Is Broken and Construction Begins on Ecumen's Abiitan Mill City in Downtown Minneapolis
Ecumen and Eagle Iron Partners joined together to host a ceremonial groundbreaking May 19, 2015, for their new development in the Mill District of Minneapolis, and construction has begun. Abiitan Mill City is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2016.

Sales Office Now Open for Zvago Glen Lake Co-op in Minnetonka
Zvago Glen Lake Cooperative, a new senior housing co-op planned for the north shore of Glen Lake in Minnetonka, opened a sales office and showroom in walking distance from the site. Construction on the 54-unit co-op began and doors to be opened in the fall of 2016.

Clarkfield Care Center Residents Angeline Lee, 109, and Eunice Anderson, 104. Share Nov. 30 Birthdays
Angeline Lee and Eunice Anderson, who live at Ecumen-managed Clarkfield Care Center, celebrated their Nov. 30 birthdays that add up to 213 years of living.

Ecumen of Litchfield: A Hospice Client Gives His Nurse a Day She Will Never Forget
It was the tractor ride from heaven. It was a life affirming-lesson so touching that Shelly Hank, RN, a nurse from Ecumen Home Care & Hospice- Litchfield, proclaimed it the highlight of her nursing career.  

Ecumen Hospice Team Honors a Client's Last Wish in a Heartfelt Singing Goodbye
Hazel Erickson of Litchfield was an independent and strong-will woman who loved her family, her church and her community. She also really loved to dance and was always dressed to the nines. When Hazel died in November, the "Ecumen Sisters" were born, and sang Hazel's family a song they will not soon forget.        

Eight New Ecumen Awakenings Trainers Certified
Eight Ecumen employees were certified as Ecumen Awakenings facilitators with qualifications to train other employees in the Awakenings approach to dementia care.          

Centenarian and Navy Veteran Doris Brand Taught Kids to Read and Pilots to Fly
Doris Brand, a resident of Ecumen Parmly LifePointes celebrated her 100th birthday on May 21, and reflects upon her fondest memories serving the United States during World War II.                          

A Housekeeper at Ecumen North Branch Helps Rebuild a Remote Philippines Village
Halfway around the world in the tiny tropical Phillipine barrio of Navitas on the island of Panay live about 150 elderly poor who have an angel looking out for them in North Branch, Minn. Her name is Luz Pederson, a housekeeper at Ecumen North Branch.