From Martin Brothers, Culinary Partner

With the holidays right around the corner many of our activities will focus even more than usual on food.  Much of the food will be more high calorie than we normally eat on a regular basis.  It might be helpful to keep the following 10 key healthy eating points in mind:

• Have a good breakfast.  Try to include whole grains, fruit and low fat milk.
• Focus on fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.
• Shop at the supermarket when the produce is delivered.  The fresh items will have a longer shelf life.
• Sit down and enjoy your meal.  Avoid eating on the run if you can.
• Make the high calorie treats and items “worth it”.  Be sure the satisfaction you get related to flavor is worth the calories.
• Spice up plain foods so you don’t crave the holiday treats as much.
• Eat fish twice per week.
• Don’t eat past the “full” feeling.
• If you have children involve them in preparing healthy foods.  They will especially like fruit smoothies.
• Focus on color – eat veggies and fruits of all colors

Chris Timmons, RD LD
Menu Development Manager
ctimmons@martinsnet.com
800-847-2404 x3333
Cell:  319-215-9592
Fax:  319-273-9753

From Kim Coonrod, FirstComp

Ways to Prevent a Workplace Fire

Preventing fires is everyone’s job. We all need to be alert to anything that could cause a fire, and take responsibility to report any problem areas so they can be corrected. Here are some reminders about fire prevention:

• Good workplace housekeeping practices. Clean up clutter including regularly emptying garbage cans. Clutter can also block emergency exits and make evacuating a building difficult. Make sure that obstacles are removed from emergency exits to facilitate a smooth exit during an emergency
• Place oily rags in a covered metal container. This waste must be properly disposed of on a regular basis.
• Perform regular maintenance on equipment to prevent overheating.
• Report electrical hazards. Many fires start as a result of faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Never attempt electrical repairs unless you are qualified and authorized.
• Check the ratings on power distribution strips and extension cords before using them to make sure you are not running too much power through them. You can find the wattage and amperage ratings on electrical appliances.
• Only use extension cords as temporary electrical wiring, extension cords are not designed for continuous use. Always try to plug items directly into a wall outlet as much as possible.
• Maintain free access to all electrical control panels. Material or equipment stored in front of the panels slow the shutting down of power in an emergency situation.
• Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
• Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.
• Help maintain building security to prevent arson fires. Secure all doors as instructed; report suspicious persons; and don’t leave combustible rubbish where it can be set on fire outside the building.
• Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.
• Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials.
• Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the address within your work area for quick access if a fire were to start.
• Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

What To Do in Case of Fire
It’s also important that you understand the action plan in case a fire does occur.

• Know your company’s emergency procedures and your role.
• Sound the alarm so the building occupants can escape.
• Proceed to the designated assembly area outside the building.
• If you are trained to do so, you might be able to fight a small fire with a portable extinguisher. Choose the right extinguisher for the type of fire, and keep a clear escape route.
• As you leave, shut down machinery or process equipment according to your company’s emergency plan.
• Take fire drills seriously. They are organized to save lives and property in case of the real thing.

Conclusion
A workplace fire is an experience you don’t want to have. In addition to injury and loss of life, the outbreak of a fire can lead to job losses. Rebuilding a workplace after a fire is very expensive and many companies can’t afford to do it. Don’t let a fire threaten you, your residents, co-workers and your job. Work safely to prevent fires, and know what to do if one occurs.

From the President, Allen Phillips:

We have been very fortunate this autumn season with the warm weather; however I believe that “fall” is truly upon us with the colder weather these last few weeks!

When I started the company Senior Housing Management seven years ago, I wanted to provide exceptional services to seniors with focused on the Memory Care Programs in our communities. The Alzheimer’s disease is very close to home for me as my grandmother lived with this disease for nearly 10 years. As I worked with several talented individuals in our organization who are very experienced in this area, I learned so much and was able to work closely with my family on handling her disease. I can recall the many times when I would have to “re-direct” my father (her son) when we would visit my grandmother. My father would get so frustrated that she was not the mother he knew and he would continuously try to “bring her back to reality,” stating, “Mom, Dad has been gone for years,” or “You have to remember Allen!” Eventually over time my Dad learned that this is not the mother he once knew and she is not going to remember, and we must join her wherever she was at any given moment. It was a hard concept for my father, but once he joined grandma in the moment, our visits were much more pleasurable. October 25th, 2010 my grandmother, after roughly a week of hospice care peacefully passed away. This horrible disease took her from us years ago, but we were left with such wonderful memories.

As November is National Alzheimer’s Month, I want to thank and applaud all of our community employees that continue to work with our residents that suffer from this disease every day. I know this can be a challenge at times, however remember to continue to create moments of joy for them! I also want to let all families dealing with this disease to remember to leave reality at the door and join their loved one in “their moments.” The memories from years ago will always remain close to your heart; and continuing to create the new positive ones is what is most important right now.

With the holidays fast approaching the “hustle and bustle” will soon begin for everyone! Don’t forget to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving to our residents and to you and your families!!

Sincerely,
Allen Phillips, President
aphillips@shcshm.com

From Allison Law, Vice President of Operations

I would like to thank Bethany Clemenson, Manager of Windsor Manor Vinton for sharing the below poem one of her residents wrote after living at Windsor Manor for 1 month! As Bethany said, “This is truly what it is all about and why I do what I do, I LOVE my job!”

I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope you are able to spend time with your friends and family!

Allison Law
alaw@seniorhousingcompanies.com

Living Life to the Fullest

I never thought the day would come,

When I could really say

I finally found a place called home

In Vinton, Ioway

So many months and years gone by

That simply stayed the same

So I moved to Windsor Manor,

So happy that I came

Now I wake up in the morning

With a joyful happy heart

Living Life to the fullest

I’ve had a real good start

Enjoying things I love to do with

Friends I’ve yet to meet

The ones I’ve met already, I think

They’re really neat

So, don’t worry about tomorrow

Today is all that’s real

Enjoying life to the fullest, I’d say

That’s a real good deal

I believe a word called loneliness

If forever in my past

That God gave me this Choice

Parker Place in Parkersburg Opens new Memory Care

Parker Place Retirement Community held their one year anniversary open house on Sunday, October 17 th from 2 until 4pm. Close to 100 people came through the doors to help the staff and residents celebrate and to tour the year old facility. Birthday cake as well as apple cider punch and appetizers were served while the KQCR radio station broadcasted live from the event.

Parker Place took the opportunity to announce the opening of their new Memory Care area which will offer services for those residents with advanced stages of dementia. The low-stimulus hall will include specifically designed activities as well as trained staff specially designated to only that area. The Memory Care was open for tours during the day.

Evaluating the Market for Assisted Living Services

While there are many qualitative factors that are important when evaluating a market for assisted living services such as sponsorship, site evaluation, alternatives for care, and market maturity, this analysis focuses on quantifying the demand for assisted living services and describing the components involved in capturing the targeted market. There are five basic components to consider when calculating penetration rates for assisted living services:

• Primary market area definition, including the related resident draw percentage;
• Age qualification;
• Income qualification;
• Percentage of seniors living alone; and
• Percentage of seniors requiring assistance.

Primary Market Area Definition
A primary market area (“PMA”) for an assisted living project is typically determined by the historical experience of the provider (if applicable) and/or the experience of existing providers within the PMA. How far are seniors willing to move or relocate to access assisted living services? Based on the need-driven nature of the services, seniors requiring assisted living services generally originate from within a close proximity of an ALF. The PMA for assisted living services generally lies within a five- to 10-mile radius of the facility depending on whether it is located in an urban (smaller PMA), suburban or rural area (larger PMA), and it is typically the primary location from which most residents will originate. According to the 2006 Overview of Assisted Living, more than 60 percent of residents relocate to within 10 miles of their closest adult child or relative and almost 80 percent relocate to within 25 miles. Because of the significant influence that adult caregivers have regarding parental decisions to seek care, many facilities are experiencing higher draw percentages than independent living from outside the primary market area, particularly in high-growth or in-migration markets with high concentrations of adult children. Based on the smaller geographic market area typically defined for assisted living services, the percentage of residents from the PMA, as experienced by assisted living providers and utilized for planning purposes, is generally between 70 and 80 percent.

Age Qualification
The 2006 Overview of Assisted Living reports the median age of residents admitted into assisted living is 85 years old. Younger seniors may require assistance with ADLs and IADLs because of falls, fractures or the absence of a caregiver and may consider a move to an ALF as early as age 75. The U.S. Census Bureau reports statistics on the percentage of elderly requiring assistance with ADL and IADL for ages 75-79 and ages 80 and over. Therefore, an age qualification of 75 years or older is typically used to measure the demand for assisted living services.

Income Qualification
Annual income qualifications for prospective assisted living residents are generally based on the average monthly service fees required to move into an ALF. According to the 2006 Overview of Assisted Living, the median monthly service fee per unit in a freestanding ALF is $2,575 for a one-bedroom unit and $2,914 for a two-bedroom unit, which equates to a minimum annual income qualification ranging from approximately $31,000 to $35,000. However, according to the same source, the median resident annual income is $15,668 (with 25 percent of assisted living residents surveyed earning less than $10,000 annually). Some demand methodologies also consider homeowners with a lower income threshold to be included based on the assumed “spend-down” of a senior’s asset base that will provide the financial means to afford assisted living services. According to the 2006 Overview of Assisted Living, the median resident asset value, including home equity, is $250,000. Therefore, non-income-qualified seniors may utilize other financials means, such as the proceeds from the sale of their home or other assets, in order to assist with the cost of care. The 2006 Overview of Assisted Living reports that approximately 48 percent of assisted living residents surveyed indicated “family” as their primary payment source for care in a freestanding ALF. In addition, the NIC Survey also reports that 26 percent of adult children or a family member assist in paying for assisted living services, with an average contribution of $598 per month. For this reason, assisted living penetration rates are shown as a range between age-qualified individuals and age- and income-qualified individuals.

Based on the information above and depending on the type of market in which the AL services are provided, Dixon Hughes typically considers seniors age 75 and older with the following annual incomes to be qualified for assisted living services when calculating penetration rates:

• $25,000 and higher and homeowners earning between $15,000 and $24,999, or
• $35,000 and higher and homeowners earning between $25,000 and $34,999

Percentage of Seniors Living Alone
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, approximately 50 percent of seniors age 75 and older live alone. This is supported by the Dixon Hughes benchmark database, where the average percentage of seniors living alone is approximately 48 percent as derived from

Claritas, Inc. (“Claritas”), a firm that specializes in the analysis of demographic data. The percentage of individuals living alone varies by market area. Applying the percentage of seniors age 75 and older living alone to age- and income-qualified households in the PMA reduces this demographic category to individuals rather than households.

Percentage of Seniors Requiring Assistance
The decision to enter an ALF often depends on the individual’s need for assistance and the available alternatives in the market. The following table shows the percentage of the elderly requiring assistance with ADL and IADL, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Applying the percentages to senior household demographics for a certain market area, the percentage of seniors requiring assistance generally falls between 27 and 37 percent, according to the Dixon Hughes benchmark database.

Mark Takes, Senior Housing Consultants
mtakes@shcshm.com