Greetings from "The Home" front...

It’s really no surprise but we are still shouting out –Luther Memorial home received the highest mark - a 5-star rating (again!!!). Medicare created the Five Start Quality Rating System to help consumers, their family members and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily. It uses information from Health Inspections/Surveys, Staffing, and Quality Measures. A plan can get a rating between 1 and 5 stars. A 5-star rating is considered excellent. Way to go Luther Memorial Home Staff!

What a busy first week of March we’ve had! A special thank you to Dee VonRuden for stepping in on Sunday afternoon at the last minute when our scheduled musicians had to cancel. Dee provided piano music in the activity room and I think the residents/guests could have listened to her play all day. It was so soothing! Thanks again Dee! Monday was Dr. Seuss Day and residents and staff were encouraged to wear their favorite hat – we had quite a showing of millinery! After newscurrents, our Dr Seuss Social included green eggs and ham! Oh MY! There was also table top activities and bingo in the evening. Tuesday brought Sit & Be Fit in the morning and Rhythm Band in the afternoon. We had choir on Wednesday morning and then crafts in the afternoon. The residents made St Patrick’s Day signs to hang on their door or in their room. They turned out cute with lots of variety. We also had a Lenten service after supper in the evening. Pastor Deb led a Bible Study Thursday morning and we had special music by “Harmony“ later in the day. The residents certainly enjoy the musical events. We finished the day with Leprechaun races and bingo. I am happy to report that the Leprechauns behaved themselves and everyone had a good time. Friday brought Mass and Church, then pretty nails and happy ½ hour in the afternoon. There is reminisce with Molly on Saturday morning and bingo in the afternoon. We also have Kaffee Hus from 2-3:30 in the dining room on both Saturday and Sunday. Stop by and check out the new treats to go along with your coffee and ice cream.

Ebenezer Men’s Gospel Group will be presenting music in the chapel on Sunday at 2 p.m. We are looking forward to hearing them perform. The food committee meets Monday morning followed by newscurrents. At 2 p.m. on Monday there is creative writing followed by table top activities and bingo. Sit & Be fit and rhythm band are on the schedule for Tuesday. We have Name that Tune on Wednesday morning followed by my favorite dice game – Bunco!!! There will also be a Lenten Service after supper at 6:30 in the chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend. Mayville Lutheran’s interim, Pastor Peter Schmidt, is leading these services. Elaine will be here for reading on Thursday and then it’s time for the Peter Boe 3rd graders to come and visit their “adopted” grandparents. They had to miss last month because of the extremely cold weather and flu so we are looking forward to their visit this month. There is also a resident council meeting later in the afternoon and then bingo in the evening. We have mass and church on Friday the 13th (oh oh) and then the activity staff will be serving Shamrock Shakes in the afternoon. The ladies can also get their nails done at Pretty Nails.

We have one resident birthday next week – Emma Thykeson celebrates her birthday on March 9th . Willard Van Wechel, a tenant in Sun Center, has a birthday on March 11th. However, we have four staff members celebrating their birthdays next week – Jennifer Almanza and Sabrina Amundson on March 7th; Jeric Houdek on March 10th and Kayla Hanson on March 11th. Happy Birthday to all of you and enjoy your special day!

Until next time … a thought for the week … No response is a response. And it’s a powerful one...