Good afternoon, as you know we are experiencing a full blown staffing crisis and there 23,000 open positions in nursing homes across Minnesota.  There are now one million seniors in Minnesota and that number is growing every year and many need long-term care services or will in the near future.  Although this is not a budget, Minnesota is experiencing a $9.3 budget surplus; therefore, it is our time to act.

In Stevens County, unemployment is under 2% and we are all competing for the same workers – there is not enough workers to go around.  We are experiencing at least an 8% inflation rate which doesn’t even include the increased cost of food and gas.  With starting wages at $12.50 for our staff; there is no way they can make ends meet –they deserve so much more! 

At West Wind Village, we have been limiting admissions and closed a wing due to staffing shortages – we have capped admissions at 63 out of 72 beds.  At Skyview, we are turning low income seniors away due to the very low elderly waiver payments.  Due to staffing, we consolidated the Court and Plaza and turning the Court into independent living since it doesn’t require staff.  Our staff at both locations are burnt out with all pressures from COVID the last two years and as a result we are losing staff and finding it very difficult to attract staff who want to work in long-term care. 

We are boldly asking lawmakers to increase funding for nursing facilities so we can permanently increase wages by $5 an hour across the board by July 1.  We are also asking for a significant increase in Elderly Waiver payments to increase wages in assisted living as well.

However, we need your help and support in this important endeavor.  Please support this bill, it takes less than a minute- the link is below.  Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you so much for all support!

https://p2a.co/h9BaWhr

Morris Health Services, an affiliate of St. Francis Health Services of Morris (SFHS), is pleased to announce we were recently awarded a Minnesota Nursing Facility Performance-based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) grant by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) focused on preventing falls.  The initiative for fall prevention and fall reduction began January 1, 2021 and will continue through December 31, 2022 within our care center and related SFHS’ skilled nursing care centers.

The Falls Prevention Project will provide our care center with additional resources to make positive system improvements to prevent falls for individuals receiving services that is focused on each individual’s preferences and needs.  This program will have three components; expanding falls prevention and person centered education, implementing Safe Being technology, and increasing exercise program opportunities.

The education component of the Falls Prevention Project comes to us with a new partnership with Pioneer Network to expand our work force knowledge of Person Centered/Directed care. Pioneer Network is the national leader for culture change that advocates and builds a culture of aging where individual choices are respected and fosters care that is directed by the person receiving it.  Staff will learn how to better address needs and lifestyle choices to reduce an individual receiving services’ risk for falls. 

In the second part of our Falls Prevention Project, we will be installing Safe Being technology in our care centers.  The Safe Being system provides the capability for real time remote monitoring while respecting the person’s privacy.  Safe Being uses a watch-like device that provides data on lifestyles and daily activities and interprets gestures identifying how/when a resident is moving, eating, drinking and sleeping.  Each person wearing the device will send an alert when there is a change in status or has been identified as being at risk for a potential fall or has fallen. 

The third component of the Falls Prevention Project will be increasing exercise program opportunities such as Bingocize and Otago to improve strength, flexibility, and balance to help reduce falls. 

The Falls Prevention Project is intended to build sustainable practices throughout our care center beyond the original two year grant period.  SFHS is a faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization.  In addition to their skilled nursing care centers, they offer a variety of services that include customized/assisted living, a full range of therapies, senior housing, transitional and skilled nursing care, and behavioral and residential programs throughout the State of Minnesota.

Dear Valued Client,

Thank you for choosing Big Stone Therapies for your therapy services.  We appreciate your business. We are writing to inform you that we are moving our outpatient clinic location.  Effective November 16th, further outpatient services will be provided at our new location in the lower level of Skyview Plaza at 1100 Court Drive.  We will have reserved parking for you in the lower level of underground parking. There is a sensor on the door that will open when you pull up to the lower level of the building.

Due to the Covid Pandemic, you will be screened by therapy staff upon your arrival. Please call us and do not come to therapy if you are ill, have any signs/symptoms of Covid or have had an exposure. We ask that you wear a mask from your vehicle into the therapy department for the health and safety of all staff and tenants.

We also want you to be aware that we will continue to provide therapy services at the West Wind Village for nursing home residents and are committed to continuing to improve health care and people’s health in Morris.

We hope you have had a wonderful summer and look forward to serving your therapy needs this fall in our new location.  Please call us with any questions or concerns at 320-585-5395.  Our phone number will remain the same with this transition.

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

Big Stone Therapies

Joyce Schiele attends Kind Dining training as part of Nutrition and Optimal Weight (NOW) Grant Implementation

Joyce Schiele attended Kind Dining training in April of 2019. The training seminar was facilitated by Cindy Heilman, CEO of Higher Standards and creator of Kind Dining. 

Kind Dining is a meal service method based on hospitality and “bringing warmth to the table.”  This program will provide staff the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance the dining experience for residents by promoting person-centered care and nurturing a healthy sense of community and service.

Joyce Schiele will train the staff of Morris Health Services in the concepts, practices, and standards of Kind Dining.  We are committed to improving the dining experience for our residents and to reduce the number of residents experiencing unintended or unexplained weight loss.   

Leah Nelson, VP of Human Resources for St. Francis Health Services and Crystal Holloway, Home Care Director for Morris Health Services recently completed the 2018-19 Leadership Academy program after a nine-month journey of learning, exploration and skills development for 36 emerging leaders in the older adult services field. LeadingAge Minnesota’s Leadership Academy is a unique leadership development program designed specifically to cultivate high potential, transformational leaders in the field of aging services. 

The program blends leadership theory, applied learning and personalized coaching. Fellows participate in a rigorous journey of interactive experience, self-reflection, critical skill development and action learning.

More than 250 professionals have graduated from this prestigious program since its beginning in 2010. They represent a new generation of transformational leaders in aging services – leaders who will not just respond to the changing times but who will drive positive change for their organizations and the aging services community. 

Congratulations Leah and Crystal!