Valley View Builders

The Parmly Community invites the Chisago Lakes area to join us in "Dancing in the Park" Thursday, May 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. Bring your family, friends, and lawn chairs to the backyard of Parmly LifePointes for an evening of entertainment. The Pleasant Valley Cloggers will perform and you can try your dance skill with a first lesson in clogging.

Parmly LifePointes is located at 28210 Old Towne Road, Chisago City. For more information, contact Christy Johnson at 651-257-0575 ext. 293. We hope to see you there!

Parmly LifePointes presents “Nature’s Surrounding Splendors” art exhibit featuring local artist, Katherine Salverda. The show features intense beauty here in our prairie flowers, rocky rivers, and regal oaks as Katherine echoes the warmth of evening light and the call of still reflections while paying homage to the natural splendor surrounding us.

Ms. Salverda holds a degree in Art History/Studio Arts from the University of Minnesota with additional studies in Sculpture with jean Noel Guermonprez of the Ecole de Beaux Artes, Paris. She has participated in workshops with nationally known watercolorist, Gerald Brommer and paste lists, Christina DeBarry and Larry Blovits: acrylic collage with Carrie Burns Brown. Katherine has works in private collections in the United States, Ireland, and Japan.

Katherine has served as Vice-president, Program Chair and Board member of the Lake Country Pastel Society and is currently a member of the Northstar Watercolor Society where she serves on the Board as Co-Program chair. Katherine also teaches drawing, watercolor, acrylic, and pastel painting in North Branch, MN Community Education and privately at her studio in Stacy.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and meet Katherine at the exhibit’s grand opening reception, Tuesday, June 29, 2010 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the upper level of the Vitalize! Wellness Centre, 10720 282nd Street, Chisago City, MN. Admission to the exhibit is free and remains open for public viewing through August 28, 2010.

This activity is made possible, in part, by a grant from the East Central Regional Development Commission and the East Central Arts Council with funds provided by the Minnesota State legislature.

Parmly LifePointes would like to hear from local artists interested in conducting workshops. For more information, contact Heidi LaMeyer at 651-257-7332.

Kim Holmquist (r) from Chisago County Chapter 30087 of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans stopped by on Wednesday, June 23 and presented Colleen Guilfoile, Community Events Coordinator (l) and Sara Otto, Volunteer (c), with supplemental funding of $600 for the “Hammin’ It Up for Parmly” Ham Dinner that was held at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, Center City, in April. The Hammin’ it Up for Parmly dinner, an annual community event, raised over $2600 for a new piano for the Residence Dining Room and the Music Therapy Program.

Get your ducks in a row…
Our Planning Seminar is now FULL.
Please check here for news on the next one.
Three area experts will present information about legal, financial, and spiritual planning: Sharon Sill, Attorney, Kim Holmquist, Thrivent Associate, Ron Gerl, Chaplain.

Contact Becky Fredell
Phone: 651-214-1957

(No products will be offered for sale at this educational event.)

Parmly LifePointes staff volunteered at The Celebration of the Lakes annual Chamber event in Center City, which took place on January 30th & 31st. Staff worked the concession stand serving hot dogs,hamburgers and hot chocolate. If you missed the event this year, make sure you come and join in on the days activities next year. Some of the days events include dog sled rides, ice fishing contests, ice skating and watching the beautiful hot air balloons take off into the sky.

PARKINSON'S ASSOCIATION OF MN

STRUTHER'S PARKINSON'S CTR, GOLDEN VALLY

The APDA is sponsoring a monthly support and educational group that meets at a NEW day and time on the 4th Thursday of the month at 2 pm in the Learning Annex in the Vitalize! Wellness Centre, Parmly LifePointes .

If you have questions, please contact the group facilitator, Stacie Wheeler, OTR/L at 651-257-0575.

The Alzheimer's and Memory Loss Support Group meets the last Monday of the month at 4 pm in the Club Room in the Vitalize! Wellness Centre, Parmly LifePointes.

Reservations will be taken for respite care.  Contact Heidi LaMeyer at 651-257-7332 for further information. This support group is affiliated with the Alzheimer's Association of Minnesota-North Dakota.

Accepting the Award left to right: Kathryn Roberts, Ecumen CEO, Pastor Ron Gerl, Diane Rollins, Sheryl Flint, Heidi LaMeyer, Miriam Aaland, Jim McGurk, and Loanne Thrane, Ecumen Foundation

Parmly LifePointes senior housing community in Chisago City received a leadership in innovation award at the annual Ecumen Leadership Conference held recently at the Earle Brown Center. Ecumen, Minnesota’s most innovative non-profit senior housing and services provider is the parent organization of Parmly LifePointes.

“Honoring the Spirit” received a Seedling Award, which recognizes “major” innovation at Ecumen. Winners are selected through peer review by their colleagues across the company. Three innovations with a common thread make up “Honoring the Spirit”. The innovations are Aromatherapy for Memory Care created by the staff at Margaret’s House and Isabelle’s House. TimeSlips is a program that helps individuals with memory loss to articulate self-expression. The Prayer Walk provides private mediation and prayer areas for residents’ family members, tenants, and staff. Diane Rollins, Sheryl Flint, Heidi LaMeyer, Miriam Aaland, Jim McGurk, and Pastor Gerl accepted the award.

At the same conference Miriam Aaland, Heidi LaMeyer, Glenda Schmidt, and Mary Cordts, accepted a Fertile Ground Award for adapting the Pre-Planned Admissions innovation originally innovated by Bayshore & Lakeshore Ecumen Communities in Duluth. The focus of the Pre-Planned Admissions innovation is to make the pre-admission process easier and welcoming for people coming to us for short-term rehab services.

Parmly LifePointes, a longstanding senior service in Chisago City employs 300 staff members and serves more than 500 people daily. They also provide the Vitalize! Wellness Centre, independent housing, assisted living apartments with services, adult day services, sub acute (rehabilitation) and care center services to area seniors.

“These talented leaders have worked together to improve services to their customers in truly thoughtful, innovative ways,” said Kathryn Roberts, president and CEO of Ecumen. “I couldn’t be more proud to work with such forward-thinking, compassionate professionals.”

Shoreview-based Ecumen (www.ecumen.org) is the most innovative leader of senior housing and services, empowering individuals to live richer, fuller lives. The name Ecumen comes from the word ecumenical, which in turn is derived from the Greek word for home: “Oikos.” Ecumen works to create “home” for older adults wherever they choose to live. Ecumen has nearly 4,000 team members who provide housing options and services to more than 10,000 customers in nearly 50 cities in the Upper Midwest.

"Ecumen" is derived form the Greek term for "home”, which is at the heart of Ecumen's mission, to create home for older adults, wherever they choose to live. "Our mission can't be defined solely by bricks and mortar," says Roberts. "We seek to empower more people with services to remain independent and living life on their terms. Aging is a major opportunity for us to build upon the proud legacy here and help contribute to an even greater quality of life in the Chisago Lakes area."

Parmly LifePointes makes available to the larger community the Vitalize! Wellness Centre, independent housing, and assisted living apartments with services, adult day services, sub acute (rehabilitation) and care center.

Ecumen (www.ecumen.org), which is based in Shoreview, Minn., is the most innovative senior housing and services leader, empowering individuals to live richer and fuller lives. It operates in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and Idaho. Ecumen envisions a world in which aging is viewed and understood in radically different ways. Its mission is to create home for older adults wherever they choose to live. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal has named Ecumen, for five straight years, as one of Minnesota’s “Best Places to Work”.

The Summer Health Care Intern Program brings students and health-care employers together, giving students experience in a health-care environment and employers the opportunity to become more involved in their community. Participating hospitals, medical clinics, nursing facilities, home-health agencies, assisted-living residences, and physicians employ students between Memorial Day and Labor Day for six to 12 weeks for at least minimum wage and receive up to half the interns’ wages through this grant from the Office of Rural Health & Primary Care and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Parmly LifePointes is working with Chisago Lakes High School and Forest Lake High School to recruit and hire two students that will be entering their senior year of high school in the fall.

The 3M Foundation has donated $250 to South Chisago County Meals on Wheels, in recognition of Nancy L. Hebrink’s commitment to the community.

Nancy donated 50 hours to South Chisago County Meals on Wheels in 2009. As a volunteer, she coordinates drivers to deliver meals five days a week and volunteers to deliver meals with her husband Denny.

“3M employees and retirees generously give their time and skills to help others,” said Robin Torgerson, vice-president, 3M Community Affairs. “We are pleased to recognize their commitment to their communities.”

As part of the 3M Volunteer Match, the 3M Foundation will donate $250 to eligible non-profit organizations for which a 3M employee volunteers 20 hours, or a 3M retiree volunteers 25 hours or more per calendar year. For more information on this program, please contact 3M Community Affairs at 651-733-0144.

3M Community Giving consists of product donations and cash grants by 3M and the 3M Foundation and bolstered by employee and retiree volunteerism. Since 2000, Volunteer Matches totaling over $3 million have gone to over 2,500 schools or non-profit organizations in 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

For information about the South Chisago County Meals on Wheels program or to volunteer, contact Jackie Law, Meals on Wheels Coordinator at 651-257-0580.

Parmly LifePointes presented the 2009 Isabelle M. Lindgren Distinguished Service Award to Tom Hendrickson, Transportation Supervisor at an all staff meeting in February.

Each year since 1987, a committee calls for recommendations for award recipients through a nomination process. The committee selects the successful award recipient who demonstrates outstanding, dedicated Christian service to the organization and who promotes the mission of serving the elderly. This distinguished award is a tribute to Parmly’s history of dedicated workers, including Isabelle Lindgren, who faithfully served and spent her life caring for the elderly.

Tom’s nomination describes him as caring and compassionate. Because of Tom’s willingness to go above and beyond, the senior population in our surrounding community has been able to enjoy many various outings and Parmly’s own Adult Day club has been able to take advantage of many summer fishing trips on the Lions Club pontoon. After the fire destroyed half the fleet of vehicles, the garage, and maintenance equipment Tom has kept his “we’ll make it happen” attitude and his department did not skip a beat or decline a ride even though his resources were limited.

Tom says, “It is easy to make things happen with the wonderful staff, residents, clients, and community that surround me.”

St. Paul – Mary Cordts, the executive director of Parmly LifePointes in Chisago City has been honored by Minnesota’s largest association of aging services organizations.

Cordts was recognized with the Kal Michels Administrator Leadership Award at the Aging Services of Minnesota Institute in Minneapolis last week. The Institute is the state’s premiere event for professionals in older adult services.

Through information provided by employees and community focus groups, Cordts’ leadership at Parmly LifePointes has spearheaded the addition of a new chapel, three memory care units, a transitional care unit and a wellness center that have all helped enhance the total quality of life for residents and family members.

“With Mary’s vision and commitment to teamwork, Parmly LifePointes has expanded to a full continuum care senior community,” said Dorothy Grandstrand, the president of the organization’s advisory board. “She has helped us grow into a resource for older adults throughout the Chisago Lakes area.”

Connie Wanner, the Housing Director for Parmly LifePointes, said Cordts’ dedication to older adults is of utmost importance. “She is a true advocate for our residents, staff and community.”

Aging Services’ 1,000 + members serve over 47,000 Minnesotans every day in settings across the continuum from their home to congregate housing to assisted living to care centers. Committed to excellence and to innovation, Aging Services is a leader in pioneering new service delivery models and is nationally recognized for expertise in aging services issues related to long term care, senior housing and supportive services.   More »»»

This month marks the 10 year anniversary of the opening of Margaret’s House Memory Care. In 1996, we began conducting focus groups led by Mary Cordts. Sixteen groups with a total of approximately 100 people involving resident, tenants, family members, volunteers, area clergy and other members of the community pulled together to identify the unmet needs on the Parmly Campus.
One specific need that stood out from all of the suggestions was the unique housing needs of those with memory loss.

The focus groups soon learned that Parmly listened to them and would address the needs they voiced. Parmly organized the “Reach Out Campaign” and set a goal to raise $750,000 for memory loss housing, a new chapel and therapy space, also identified as needs by the focus groups.

The Andersen Foundation made the initial gift with a generous donation and the campaign continued its momentum with overwhelming community support; meeting the goal. September 20, 1998, were groundbreaking ceremonies and the first tenant moved into Margaret’s House on January 24, 2000.

Margaret’s House is named after our benefactor, Margaret S. Parmly. It is part of the Memory Bridges program on campus. The house provides a comfortable, home-like living environment for eight individuals with early to mid stages of memory loss, and who are no longer able to remain in their current living environment. Margaret’s House also features a respite room for short stay needs as well as Day Club for memory loss clients.

Margaret’s House is currently licensed as an Assisted Living and services are provided through At Home Care of Parmly LifePointes. Margaret’s House remains a “special little nook” on the campus, a family environment for those going through the difficult journey of memory loss.

Glenda earned her BSW from St. Cloud State University in 2004. After completing her internship with Fairview Lakes Medical Center, Glenda was hired full-time as a medical social worker. She worked with Fairview Lakes for five years and completed psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, advocacy and community intervention. Glenda is currently pursuing her MSW degree from St. Cloud State University and anticipates receiving her degree in the spring of 2010.

Both transitional care communities specialize in post-surgery care, therapy for post acute or chronic illnesses and offer treatment approaches and programming to address each patient’s specific therapeutic needs. Inpatient and outpatient therapy is available 6 days per week in on-site state-of-the-art wellness centers. Featured in both communities are private suites with private bathrooms. Parmly LifePointes also offers aquatic therapy in the on-site warm water pool with an underwater treadmill.

In addition to transitional care services, The Villages of North Branch and Parmly LifePointes provide a full continuum of care within their communities including senior housing with services, assisted living, specialized memory care, and skilled long-term care.

The central intake number for admissions to The Villages and Parmly’s transitional care communities is 651-829-0117 and the fax number is 1-866-213-5563.

August 2nd was the annual Ice Cream Social. Each year volunteers are honored for their valuable gift of time. In 2008, 413 volunteers (not including Meals on Wheels volunteers) gave over 13,000 hours of time. This valued gift of time enhances the lives of seniors in the Parmly Community.

To donate your gift of time, contact Colleen Guilfoile, Community Events & Volunteers Services Coordinator at 651-257-7958.

On May 28, Parmly LifePointes received the Seedling Award from Ecumen for “Beauty of Aging ...With Dignity” and the “Arts and Aging” innovation. The Arts and Aging innovation came from an idea to create an art gallery in the Wellness Centre that would feature the work of local artists, thereby making it available for public viewing. The first display was “Beauty of Aging with Dignity” by Carol Seefeldt.

Acceptance of the award above left to right are Loanne Thrane, President Ecumen Foundation, Patricia McArdle, Wellness Director, Colleen Guilfoile, Community Events and Volunteer Services Coordinator, Mary Cordts, Executive Director, Carol Seefeldt, Artist & Volunteer, Becky Fredell, Fund Development Coordinator, and Kathryn Roberts, Ecumen CEO

In the early 1990’s no one knew that the approximately 1,000 red pines being planted by Jim McGurk and a young man working toward his Eagle Scout badge would be the site of our present day Prayer Walk. Jim told us, “It was quite a project and we wanted to get the community involved so, that Arbor Day, the 3rd graders from Chisago Lakes Primary School helped with the planting.”

As the years passed, the trees grew and thrived. Meanwhile, Pastor Gerl arrived at Parmly and he dreamed of someday having a prayer walk. Over the years Pastor Gerl worked with Jim McGurk to establish a location.

The 2009 “Hammin’ It Up for Parmly” proceeds were designated for this project so this past spring Pastor Ron and Jim were finally able to stake out the walk. Through the extensive labor efforts (and Tom’s bout with poison ivy) of Tom McGurk and Troy Aadland (both Summer Grounds Workers) and Don Bungum (Community Advisory Board Member), the walk was cleared, 50 tons of crushed rock were laid, and scripture stations and benches were installed. Wayne Nickelson donated and routered directional signs for the final touch.

The Prayer Walk encompasses a 300 yard loop with six prayer stations. Posted at each station is a reading from the scriptures of the Holy Bible.

Don’t miss this piece of heaven here on campus.

The Chisago County Chapter 30087 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provided $600 in supporting funds to the “Hammin’ It Up for Parmly” event held at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, Center City, in April. Construction of the Prayer Walk, except for the part of the walk to be paved for wheelchair accessibility, was completed in mid-summer. Funds are still needed for the paving project.

^ Participating in the gifting of funds is: (L to R) Colleen Guilfoile, Community Volunteer & Events Coordinator and Kim Holmquist, Thrivent Associate, Chisago County Chapter of Thrivent for Lutherans.

Parmly LifePointes is happy to announce that Physical Therapist Jennifer Lewis has received her Aquatic Rehabilitation Certification from the international Aquatic Therapy & Rehab. Institute, Inc. The Aquatic Therapy & Rehab. Institute, Inc. (ATRI) is a non-profit organization that offers extensive aquatic therapy education and is dedicated to the professional development of healthcare professionals involved with aquatic therapy. Jennifer has been a Physical Therapist for the past ten years, and here with Aegis Therapies for the last two years. To receive this prestigious certification, Jennifer attended an extensive two-week course in Florida and passed a written test. Jennifer says, “Attending this certification course has provided me with many new tools and ideas to compliment and enhance our existing aquatic therapy and rehabilitative program.”

Parmly LifePointes Therapies provides rehabilitative services for pre operation, post operation, short-term stays, long-term care, and inpatient and outpatient clients. With the opening of the Vitalize! Wellness Centre and the warm water lap and therapy pools in October 2007, aquatic rehabilitation and exercise has become popular with older adults in the Chisago Lakes and surrounding communities.

Research regarding exercise in the pool is extensive, for example individuals that find it difficult to perform weight bearing activities on land such as walking on a treadmill for 15 minutes are able to spend 30 minutes walking at the deep end of the pool. Individuals living with arthritis find comfort through gentle joint movement in the warm water pool, gaining balance, range of motion and the ability to walk and live without pain. Aquatic therapy techniques can also relieve lower back pain. “Working with clients, their physicians, and surgeons before and after surgery speeds up recovery time”, says Jennifer.

Parmly LifePointes was one of 11 stops in the annual Fairview Lakes Auxiliary Garden Tour. The tour took place Sunday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Garden tourists traveled independently to Chisago City, Forest Lake, North Branch, and Wyoming viewing the different gardens. Parmly’s garden stop offered three new courtyards, a plentiful array of shrubs and perennial plants.

^ The Zen-inspired Serenity Courtyard with 20-tons of basalt boulders, a rakeable sand “river”, a Japanese bridge, a bubbling boulder, stamped slate paths, Japanese lanterns, bamboo accents and stained-glass benches was the featured courtyard.

^ Jim McGurk, Grounds Supervisor, researched and designed the Serenity Courtyard. Parmly is grateful for Jim’s dedication and creativity, earning Parmly’s gardens notoriety and a place on the tour.

This year’s Garden Party honored Parmly’s Faithful Friends and those who donated to the Chapel Renovation. The party was held Tuesday, June 23 in the newly remodeled Chapel View Room and the Chapel.

The Chapel View Room is used for fellowship luncheons, gatherings of residents, tenants and their families for Sunday coffee time, meetings, and education.

Overflow seating will be available for Worship Services when the high backed chairs, (to match the décor are purchased). We are currently using chairs from the Chapel and are in the process of raising additional funds to purchase chairs.

All window coverings are mounted and the installation of the sound system is in process.

At Home Care of Parmly is the first area Home Care agency to introduce QuietCare Plus, a new innovative technology that helps individuals maintain their independence our on-campus housing options.

At Home Care is now expanding the availability of QuietCare Plus to those in our community and installed in your own home.

To find out more, click on QuietCare Plus or

call Renee Grover, RN, Director of At Home Care, at 651-257-7337,

Email: reneegrover@ecumen.org