Becky Zinn-Caulfield, MSW, LICSW Normandale Center for Healing and Wholeness Edina, Minnesota Celebrating Social Workers, Senior Style March is Social Work month. It has me wondering if it was chosen to align with “March Madness”. After all, when certain areas of life are creating a bit of madness you will usually find a social worker
Alzheimer's & Dementia Archives · Choice Connections Eunice Neubauer - Founder Assisted Living MN
March 7, 2024
January 4, 2024
More Than Bingo! Written by Janelle Meyers, CSA(R), LALD
More Than Bingo! Written by Janelle Meyers, CSA (R), LALD I began my career in senior living in 1996. I had just graduated with my bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation. My first job was working in a nursing home as an activity assistant in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. For the next ten years, I devoted
December 7, 2023
SOULcial Salute to Santa
SOULcial Salute Arlyn Grussing, “Santa Arlyn” Santa’s North Pole Experience, Eden Prairie MN Santa in Senior Living?! After raising a family and wrapping up careers in the Bloomington area followed by 15 years of being Father Christmas to thousands of kids “Santa and Mrs. Claus (Arlyn and Bonnie Grussing)”, at age 78, are enjoying the
November 11, 2023
SOULcial Salute
SOULcial Salute Lisa Engdahl, LSW, Social Worker, Senior Outreach & Caregiver Services Senior Community Services, Minnetonka MN Caregiving Was In The Cards From The Start While Lisa has been in her current role since 2013 she has been supporting caregivers for decades. It started before high school babysitting their neighbors kids(aka respite care). Through high
October 7, 2023
SOULcial Salute
SOULcial Salute Reverend Arlen Solem, Chaplain and Campus Pastor Emerald Crest Memory Care (Cassia): Burnsville, Minnetonka, Shakopee, Victoria Senior Living: A Layover Between Hospice and Hospital Chaplaincy After years of working in hospice in Milwaukee, Arlen found his way to the Twin Cities in the fall of 2016. He was planning on a career position
September 7, 2023
SOULcial Salute
SOULcial Salute Michelle Jirik, Director of Childcare TowerLight Childcare, St. Louis Park MN Riley Crossing, Chanhassen MN Kids and Elders: Intergenerational Assisted Living and Memory Care Michelle Jirik worked in childcare for 20 years but always felt there was something more for kids. And she was right. Nine years ago when she saw that Ebenezer’s
August 3, 2023
SOULcial Salute
SOULcial Salute Chelsey Abeln, Director of the Artis Way Experience ARTIS Senior Living, Woodbury MN Many Roads to Dementia Care in Assisted Living Chelsey’s career in senior living evolved gradually starting with her dad’s work as Hutchinson Minnesota’s police chief. His stories of troubled kids he regularly encountered hooked her heart. Combined with other experiences this
August 3, 2023
Living with Dementia; Advantages of Memory Care Neighborhood
Living with Dementia; Advantages of Memory Care in Senior Housing George has been living with memory loss for years. Family and facility staff recognized that George was more confused. Recently, he moved from his assisted living apartment to a memory care unit. There are benefits to living in memory care for people with moderate to
July 5, 2023
Living with Dementia in Senior Housing; Signs It May Be Time for Memory Care
Living with Dementia in Senior Housing; Signs It May Be Time for Memory Care Margaret was diagnosed with dementia. While she could make decisions, she moved to an assisted living facility. Now, there are subtle signs that she may need to move into a memory care facility. It is difficult to know when it is
June 10, 2023
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness
Most people understand enough about dementia to know they never want to be diagnosed with it. Yet an estimated 6.2 million Americans over the age of 65 currently live with Alzheimer’s. It is the most common form of dementia. Those with first-hand experience caring for someone with dementia, know the value of friends and family.