WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020 | SENIOR LIVING | PAGE 1
SENIOR LIVING Rehab at
Thorne Crest Now Offers...
Respite Care:
Thorne Crest
Short Term Stays Now Offered In Our Assisted Living
Senior Living Community
O
ne of the best ways you can care for your loved one is to take care of yourself. Whether you are planning a vacation, or need to meet the demands of an illness or recuperation, the Thorne Crest Respite Care Program can help.
Call Catherine Buboltz to schedule a tour and learn the benefits of Respite Care at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community 1201 Garfield Avenue • Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-373-2311 • www.ThorneCrest.net
State-of-the-art equipment & programs exceeding patients’ rehab goals! Community amenities include Pool, Fitness Center, Bistro & more!
Thorne Crest Senior Living Commun ity
Thorne Crest is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a not-for-profit provider of senior health care since 1930.
1201 Garfield Avenue • Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-373-2311 • www.ThorneCrest.net
Thorne Crest Senior Liv ing Communit y
Thorne Crest is owned and operated by American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, a not-for-profit provider of senior health care since 1930.
ENCOURAGING SMILES
St. John’s Lutheran Community Activities Director Emily Hardison curls the hair of Mary Evans. See more photos at albertleatribune.com. PROVIDED
St. John’s staff treat women residents to pampering for Mother’s Day By Sarah Stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
Women residents at St. John’s Lutheran Community got an extra special treat for Mother’s Day earlier this month with the opportunity to get dolled up thanks to staff who volunteered their time for the effort. Emily Hardison, activities director for both the St. John’s site off of Minnesota Highway 13 and the site at Fountain Lake, said last year Amber Carberry, one of the activities coordinators at the organization’s Fountain lake site, had the idea to do Glamour Shots with the women residents. This year, because the residents haven’t had their hair cut or set in months because of COVID-19 limitations, and many family members haven’t been able to see their loved ones, they had the idea to do hair and makeup for the women. Then afterward, staff would take a picture of each woman and send it to family members. “That way the residents feel like they got dolled up a little bit,” Hardison said.
Hardison smiles with resident Betty Jones after Jones had her hair and makeup done the week of Mother’s Day. The effort took place over four days — two days at each site — and included staff volunteers because volunteers otherwise are not allowed into the site with current limitations. “They were all smiles,” Hardison said of the residents. Staff members wore personal protective equipment, including eye protection and face shields, and each of the curling irons had to be disinfected between use,
she said, among other measures. When completed, staff had each of the women look in the mirror. “You could tell that, whether or not they liked the reflection they saw, you could tell it made them feel good,” she said. “They would smile differently than normal for sure.” Hardison thanked the staff members who volunteered their time to make it happen.
St. John’s Lutheran Community Activities Coordinator Amber Carberry curls the hair of resident Gladys Vietor. “Not only did the residents have a good time doing it, but the staff who volunteered their time had a blast, too,” Hardison said. Copies of the photos are
Senior Spotlight: Margaret Murphy Age: 88
from adulthood: Working at the hospital and carrying for sick Native of: Freeborn County — children. Albert Lea What would you say is your Place of residency: Thorne greatest accomplishment: Living Crest Senior Living Community a healthy life and being of good health at my age. Family: two sons, three daughIs there a piece of advice you ters, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren wish someone had given you or you would have listened to when Education: country school, high you were younger? Keep workschool, Naeve Hospital Nursing ing longer. School What is the greatest lesson life Former occupation: registered has taught you? Keep your friends nurse close and know you can change your life at any age. What is your favorite childhood What do you enjoy most about memory: Playing games with my brothers and sisters. where you are living now? Renewing old friendships and making What is your favorite memory new ones. Margaret Murphy
expected to be sent to family members soon, along with a small letter. Families that want to make additional copies of the photos will have the opportunity to do so.