September Manager's Meeting:

Community Managers with their Healthcare Coordinators had a day of marketing training (and some fun) at the September Manager's Meeting held in Cedar Rapids. The day began with a "Mystery Shop" to the completion in Cedar Rapids as an exercise to determine what not to do and what to do during a tour. This was a great exercise as the teams came back with a few new ideas to implement in their communities; but most importantly realized exceptional customer service is the key to a great tour for a potential resident!!! Chef Allen Phillips, prepared a fantastic meal of steak and chicken for the team expressing gratitude for the hard work and dedication each of the Managers and Health Care Coordinators put in everyday! The afternoon focused on Senior Housing Culture, Rules and Regulations, and Hospitality all in the form of Jeopardy! We could not believe the competitiveness everyone had!

From Chris Timmons, Martin Brothers, Dietician

Random thoughts on dining:  Traveling about visiting different assisted living facilities I observe a lot of great concepts. Below are some random thoughts that may just trigger an idea for many of you. 

• Chef Coats – there are lots of different kinds. Wouldn't it be fun to wear one and take a tray around with chef special desserts? How about a seasonal or silver tray? Impressive!
• Salad Bars – some are placed in the middle of the dining room offering more space for people to gather and enjoy the selections. Take a look and see what would work best for your dining room.
• Olives & Pickles – adding these to salad bars a couple days of week is a treat for many seniors. Keep them special by not putting them on every day.
• After Dinner Mints – Did you know that you can get these in many flavors and colors? You can even customize them for your facility.
• Soup – Be sure you are using NSF approved soup kettles for holding. Home style crock pots are not thermostatically controlled and do not meet food safety requirements.
• Oriental Meals – Several facilities have had success serving stir fry meals with the trimmings such as egg rolls or wontons. What to do with the left over egg rolls and wontons? Instead of waiting until the next time you serve Chinese serve them as an appetizer. Bake the egg rolls and cut into 3 pieces and serve with a little cup of sweet and sour sauce as an appetizer.
• Fresh Fruit – Serve as a dessert – make a fruit dip and serve a small plate ("tapa") with various pieces of cut fresh fruit and a small cup of fruit dip.
• Sunday Sundaes – What a great Sunday afternoon treat. Dip the ice cream and then come around to tables with toppings. Maybe put the toppings in pretty bowls on a silver tray. And how about a fancy colorful chef coat?
• Customer satisfaction – Do you visit your tenants regularly to see if they are happy with their meal service? If they have ideas do you try to incorporate them into your plans?
• Leftover Cake – Cut it in cubes and fold it into pudding that has been prepared with whip topping folded in so it is extra light and fluffy. Top it with whipped cream and a cherry. Voila!
• Breakfast feature of the day – Just like noon and evening meals, offer a chef special at breakfast. This might include a breakfast casserole, blueberry pancakes, biscuits & gravy, breakfast sandwiches.
• Napkins – Tableclothes – Placemats Oh My! - What an impact these can make toward dining pleasure. I recently saw green, pumpkin, tan and brown tablecloths in the same dining room. Beautiful fall theme. Napkins were also variations of these 4 colors – no need to match each table. Of course as we head into Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas don't' forget the complete line of Hoffmaster products.
• Nothing says "we care" as much as piping hot delicious food and a warm, cozy dining room. Give it all you got!

Sincerely,
Chris Timmons

From the President, Allen Phillips:

What a fantastic month our communities had during the month of September! National Assisted Living Week began on September 11th through September 17th. As the start of National Assisted Living Week began on September 11, the 10 year anniversary of the tragic September 11, 2001 events; this year's theme for the week was VERY appropriate; "Forever Proud!" The communities not only had celebrations and many events for our residents but also remembrance for those individuals impacted by the tragedy of 9/11. Great job to all of the communities for having such an eventful week for your residents (stories and photos to follow in the newsletter).

On August 31st and September 1st the Iowa Assisted Living Association held its 2011 Annual Conference in Des Moines. There was a great turn-out for the 2-day event and we enjoyed many educational and inspirational speakers including co-Author of the Chicken Soup series; LeAnn Thieman! LeAnn was an inspiration to all who attended. I encourage you to visit her website www.leannthieman.com as she has valuable inspiration to share!
During the conference, the 2011 STAR Awards were also presented. Please help me in congratulating the following award winners:

Property of the Year:
Arlington Place of Red Oak; Di Smith, Manager

Administrator of the Year:
Lauri Fulkerth, Arlington Place of Pocahontas

Dare to Dream Award:
Clover Ridge Place, Maquoketa, IA

Employee of the Year:
Stephanie Rominger, Windsor Manor Indianola

Nurse of the Year:
Karen Clapham RN, Sunset Park Place

Associate Member of the Year:
Martin Brothers

I could not be more proud of these award winners, this is a great accomplishment!
Enjoy the month of October with the weather cooling and the trees changing as we prepare for the winter months!


Sincerely,
Allen Phillips

aphillips@seniorhousingcompanies.com

Assisted Living Week

Assisted Living Week 2011!!! What a celebration this year! The communities planned activities and gatherings with residents and their families and friends, acquaintances and staff with their family members as well, to share in the festivities! There were BBQ picnics, a square dance, bingo games, hot air balloon exhibitions, a radio broadcast, an antique car parade, Hawaiian day and games and crafts just to name a few in order to commemorate the week. There were visits from school groups, 4-H groups, musical groups and professional photographers. Local law enforcement agencies and fire officials were honored. There was an abundance of music for everyone. It is absolutely amazing to think about the time and effort put forth by everyone involved to bring these special happenings to fruition. What is even more amazing is the fact that these exciting celebrations happen on a monthly basis in the Senior Housing Communities. The Dare to Dream's, which are shared with you in the newsletters, are an ongoing part of day to day planning for us. All of this to ensure that our residents have experiences which acknowledge and celebrate that playful spark which is present in all of us!! Dare to Dream is one of Senior Housing's signature philosophies. Every person we know has something they always wished they had achieved or done and we do our best to grant that wish!! As in the activities to celebrate Assisted Living Week, the value of these Dare to Dream wishes are priceless!!

Thank you to each and every one who helped with making Assisted Living Week so special this year! The bar is set higher for next year's observance. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what happens!!!

Sincerely,
Kathy Lansing

klansing@seniorhousingcompanies.com

From Sunset Park Place: A Heartfelt Family

Dear Jerry, Karen, Lila, Sue and the whole staff at Sunset Park Place.

With this letter I want to express my profoud gratitude to you for the excellent care you gave my mother, Dorothy Murray. Your compassion, competency and patience were outstanding. Mother experienced your gently care and felt so safe with you.

As I stopped to see mother almost everyday for six years, I felt that I had found another supportive family. I know the staff by name. I am so grateful to all of you. I so appreciated your kindness, helpful suggestions and support, not only for me, but for my whole family.

On Mother's Day this year, I was especially aware of the fact, that mother was still with us, because of your excellent care.

As you journey with resident and their families, I gift you with the book, The Next Place. Put it in your library or show it to families when that is appropriate.

I feel very lonesome for mother and for all for all of you when I drive past Sunset Park Place which is why it has taken me some time to compose this letter. My heart is full of gratitude to you.

With gratitude,
Corine Murray

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Assisted Living Week & Parker Place in Parkersburg

Assisted Living Week at Parker Place in Parkersburg, Iowa!
Residents, employees and guests had a great week!

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From Arlington Place of Grundy Center: Dare to Dream

It's been a few years since Doc Thurman has sat in the pilot's seat. Doc enjoyed going up in a Piper Archer recently with Vern, a flight instructor at the Marshalltown Municipal Airport. As an amateur pilot and friend of Doc's, I have to say that it was a perfect day for flying… the air was crisp, visibility seemed limitless and the ceiling was at least 10,000 feet!

Elmer (Doc) Thurman learned to fly in a Taylorcraft taildragger in 1936 when he was 18 years old on a grass strip just west of Marshalltown Aviation. He was the 5th student of Glen Niederhauser, who will be inducted into the Iowa Hall of Fame at the annual banquet October 2, 2011. Doc states that there weren't very many airstrips in Iowa in those days recalling one in Cedar Rapids, Livingston Field east of Waterloo and the Des Moines airport, the largest and the busiest in this area. The Marshalltown Air Field is known for training WWII pilots in the early days. Doc used to fly with the Civil Air Patrol and was President of the Iowa Flying Farmers, of which he is still a member. Doc served two years in the Air Force and four years in the Air National Guard.

Doc has logged over 5,000 hours of flying time and has flown all across the country. He has experiences of "having to put it down". When asked about that, he states that he has had to "put it down" on roads a couple of times and fields at other times.

Doc smiled as he recalled, "I worked for Cessna, I flew a Piper and I got married in a Beachcraft." Yes, you read it correctly, he and his wife were married up in the air, doing what they loved to do, flying into the wild blue yonder!

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From Arlington Place of Red Oak

Wendell Johnson enjoys wood working. Di Smith, manager at Arlington Place of Red Oak, made it possible for Wendell to continue his hobby in our community. Di had a workshop put together in the garage.

Wendell is making bird houses for Arlington

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