APRIL 2015 NEWSLETTER - northcitieshealthcare.com

1 APRIL 2015 Good Friday APRIL 3, 2015 Easter sunday APRIL 5, 2015 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Administrator p. 1 Birthdays p. 2 New Residents p. 2 Resident Council p. 2 Miscellaneous p. 3 Activity Calendar p. 4 Chaplain p. 6 Sympathies p. 7 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Earth Day Wednesday, APRIL 22, 2015 Arbor Day Friday, APRIL 24, 2015 From Your By Tom Pollock Governor Dayton Fails Nursing Homes Again Our Governor released his Supplemental (extra) budget on March 17, 2015 because the Minnesota's surplus is $1,800,000,000, or $ BILLION. There is not a law stating that a Governor has to develop an extra budget. He did budget an extra $25,000,000 or $25 MILLION to nursing homes. Now, $25 MILLION sounds like a lot of money.

2 However, this would only give an average of $ raise to all employees. Why do I say "Only"? The $25 MILLION is only of the surplus!! If the Governor only gave 5% of the surplus to nursing homes, that would be about a $ raise to all employees. To put this into perspective for those who do not like numbers, if you had one dollar, you could give nursing homes a nickel and still have ninety-five cents left over. Governor Dayton, legislators and all Minnesotans need to Face Aging. Minnesota will soon have more seniors than school kids!! We need quality people taking care of our seniors. Call Governor Dayton's office at 651-201-3400 and tell him to face aging and plan for Minnesota's future by providing more of the surplus to nursing homes.

3 I have been here for 15 years and this is the first large budget surplus that the state of Minnesota has had. I have been told by all legislators that "If we had a surplus, we could help you out!" Well, we do have a surplus and now is the time to change the payment system to nursing homes. Recent Annual State Survey We had our annual state survey from February 23-26. We were given 8 citations by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The citations were at D & E level. The levels range from A (very minor)-L (very major). Our plan of correction was submitted to MDH and are waiting for their approval that we are in substantial compliance. Upon their approval, the results will be posted up by the receptionist's desk and online at the MDH website.

4 PARK RIVER ESTATES CARE CENTER APRIL 2015 NEWSLETTER APRIL Birthdays Happy Birthday to the following residents who celebrate their birthday in APRIL : Frances Weiss APRIL 07 Theresa Filkins APRIL 07 Marjorie Nelson APRIL 11 Marliss Karp APRIL 11 Bernice Splinter APRIL 13 Rick Zeck APRIL 13 Mary Katzmark APRIL 19 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Goodbye! Welcome to Vincent Spensley, Tony Swenson, Dorothy Mickle, Shirley Klitzke, Ed Hustad, Norman Kopesky, Mae Kimball, Marian Hoeft, Lois Gifford, Frances Wiggins, Lorie Labatt, Elmer Borchardt and Gene Swaja who were admitted this month. Please greet them! And best wishes to Twyla Riddle, Diane Poths, Dorinne Dillon, Camilla Vaughn, Lorraine Cushing, Helen Delaney, Marliss Skogen and Thomas Kelly who were discharged this month, and to Bonnie Randall, Richard Larson and Mary Kodada who were with us a short time.

5 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Resident Council The meeting was held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 3:00 Vicki Petersen, Activity Director called the meeting to order. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Ten members were present. There was no Old Business. As New Business, Vicki Petersen reviewed upcoming events. She also reviewed Resident Rights, Numbers 4 & 5. Number 4: All residents shall have or be given information on who the doctor is and what clinic they are associated with. Our house doctor is Dr. Fairbairn with Geriatric Services of Minnesota (GSM). Number 5: Relationship with other health services. Park River Estates has outside providers.

6 In House Services provides onsite audiology, dentistry, optometry and podiatry. Park River Estates also contracts with lab and pharmacy services. If you have questions, see Social Services. The MN state budget surplus was discussed. Residents are encouraged to write to their legislators. Vicki Petersen said she would draft letters to our governor and legislators and make copies for residents to sign. Safety Concerns: There was a concern regarding the rugs at the reception desk. Sometimes they roll up and could cause a fall. This will be brought to the attention of Maintenance. Residents were asked if they are getting the help they need with the coffee machine, and all said they were. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, APRIL 14, 2015 at 3:00 in the Welcome Room.

7 Vicki Petersen, Activity The Family Council will meet on APRIL 14, 2015 at 1:30 in the Resident/Visitor lounge. Grievance Policy & Procedure Park River Estates has a Grievance Policy & Procedure. If you have a concern, and after discussing your concern with the appropriate staff representative and you have not had a satisfactory resolution to the problem, please communicate your concern in writing. The Problem Resolution-Grievance forms are at the nurses stations, across from the front desk, and at the front desk. Complete the form and return it to the Social Service Department, the Administrator, or the Director of Nursing. Your concerns are important to us and will be investigated. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * What is the Senior Linkage Line?

8 The State of Minnesota s Senior Linkage Line is a free information and assistance service, which makes it easy for older adults and their families to make decisions, find out what their options are, and get access to the right service at the right time. With one call you can link to an expert that knows long-term care, as well as home and community based services near you. The number is 1-800-333-2433. Social Services at Park River Estates can also assist you with alternative housing options. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Planting Mix-up All the words have something to do with planting and gardens, but they re all mixed up. Unscramble each set of letters below to find the name of something associated with gardening.

9 1. dees_____ 2. velosh_____ 3. mobol_____ 4. droung_____ 5. threa_____ 6. mets_____ 7. dubs_____ 8. lunsight_____ 9. toro_____ 10. lapi_____ 11. eoh_____ 12. kare_____ 13. cktebu_____ 14. trac_____ 15. velosg_____ 16. reltil_____ 17. retwa_____ 18. oisl_____ 19. litzirefre_____ 20. spomcot_____ Chaplain s Corner Love is stronger than pain. Recently, I watched an amazing account of one family s survival of a plane crash in Alaska. I was drawn into the dramatic portrayal of this family s harrowing experience, and inspired by this young man who struggled to keep his family alive through 15 long hours; each of them was suffering with serious, life-threatening injuries. Donald had served in our nation s military, enlisting with the Marine Corps and also serving with the Army in Iraq.

10 He was looking for a spectacular place to visit and after seeing Alaska decided it was the place for him. He and Rosemarie headed for Alaska, where they attended Alaska Pacific University and studied to become teachers. They landed a teaching job in a small village. By this time, they had two children Donnie and McKenzie. On their flight into Anvik, a village of nearly 100 people on the rural Yukon River, in a 6-seat Cessna 207, the plane was enveloped in clouds so thick the pilot could not see. The last words Donald remembers yelling to the pilot were, Pull up! When the plane came to rest, Donald could see that the pilot and the other teacher were gone. He could not see his two children. His wife was slumped over and he thought all his family was dead.