Highlights
NEWS ABOUT LUTHERAN HOMES OF MICHIGAN AND RELATED SERVICES
Winter 2004
Articles in the above issue of Highlights (click on the article or scroll through to read all the articles):
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Aging Comes of Age - Letter from Dave Gehm, LHM President & CEO
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"If You Build It, Will They Come?" Announcing a new conference on senior outreach ministry
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MCVI Physicians Featured at the 8th Annual Women's Heart Initiative
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Celebrating the Holidays at the Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth
"You get what you pay for with elderly care" by Mort Crim (Reprint permission graciously granted by Mort Crim)
When Ronald Reagan announced, at age 70, that he would seek a second term as president, Johnny Carson quipped, "Sure, he doesn't want to be out of work in a country that doesn't care for its old people."
Problem is, there's too much truth in that to be funny. Just how we care for elderly people was very much on my mind as I left the nursing home last night - a place that for the past two weeks my mother has called home. Our family is fortunate. It's a good nursing home - clean, bright, pleasant - with highly trained, well-motivated professional staff.
Tragically, this isn't always the case. And why should we be surprised? After all, isn't it true that we generally get what we pay for?
We'll pay a baseball or basketball star millions to entertain us, but the people to whom we entrust our elderly, well, how does six bucks an hour sound?
One popular suggestion for solving the abuse and neglect of our loved ones in nursing homes is surveillance cameras that catch abusive creeps in the act. But what we really need is reform, not reality TV. And that will cost dollars.
Think about that the next time you see some golf pro sink a winning shot for half a million or some corporate exec cash in a fat stock option.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: If we want our aging loved ones to be treated with dignity and respect, we might start by treating those who care for them the same way.
MORT CRIM'S Second Thoughts appear Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Free Press. Listen to Second Thoughts on WWJ-AM (950) at 6:40, 8:40 and 10:40 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. weekdays or visit www.mortcrim.com.
For decades now, American culture has been fixated on youth. We spend tens of billions of dollars annually on lotions, potions, and surgery trying in vain to hold back the inevitable. Driven primarily by baby boomers in denial, we as a society have ignored the issues of aging, both on a personal level and at the level of public policy and legislation.
But a funny thing is beginning to happen. Baby boomers are realizing the truth in the adage that "time and tide" wait for no man. Politicians are taking notice, making Medicare reform and prescription drug coverage the single largest expansion of government in history! Manufacturers are taking notice, beginning to develop and market products for aging persons that even ten years ago went unnoticed.
Recently, Mort Crim, journalist and social commentator, noticed. Based on his own experience with finding compassionate, quality nursing home care for an aging loved one, he wrote with great depth of insight in his nationally syndicated column. With his gracious permission, we reprint that column in this edition of Lutheran Home Highlights.
It is true. Aging has come of Age.
In this statement lies tremendous ministry opportunity. The Lutheran Churches of the 1950's through the late 1970's enjoyed a thirty-year period of expansion as baby boomers required our attention through our excellent Lutheran school programs. For many of our congregations, this represented the "golden years" as school census peaked, congregations grew, and lives were touched.
As aging comes of age, we have another unprecedented opportunity. Those same "kids", now many decades later, need the compassion and care that the church community is well positioned to provide, providing we see the opportunity. It's not just about our congregations getting older, but it is also about the opportunity to use senior ministries as platforms for outreach to our communities. In so doing, we not only meet the Biblical mandate to "love one another", but we also then are in a relationship with seniors and their families that allows us to minister to their spiritual needs as well.
Recognizing this opportunity, Lutheran Homes is pleased to host a very unique program titled "If You Build it, Will They Come?" (see inset box in newsletter). Others see this possibility too, as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation has generously awarded grant monies to defray all but the smallest of cost to congregations participating. Our goal with this program is to help congregational leaders catch the vision for engaging senior ministry as a way to strengthen their congregations, serve their communities, and touch lives with the saving love of Jesus.
As Aging Comes of Age, Lutheran Homes will continue to serve as a resource for congregations of the LCMS to care for their communities. We look forward to this relationship and welcome your inquiries as we seek ways to serve.
David M. Gehm,
President & CEO
Lutheran Homes of Michigan, Inc.
"If You Build It, Will
They Come?"
Announcing a new conference on senior outreach ministry
With the financial support of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, Lutheran Homes of Michigan has created a new conference especially designed for church leaders who are seeking to build a senior outreach ministry. As a nationally recognized leader in faith-based senior ministry, the Lutheran Homes staff will serve as facilitators and instructors at the conference, which will be held in the spring of 2004. As the final details for the conference are still being worked out, we encourage pastors and lay leaders to call us at 989-652-3470 or to visit our website at www.LHMINC.org to learn more and to register for this upcoming conference.
MCVI Physicians
Featured at the 8th Annual Women's Heart Initiative
The 8th annual Women's Heart Initiative or "Healthy Heart Day" was held in October 2003 in at locations in Caro and Frankenmuth. The event featured presentations by Dr. William Felten and Dr. John Collins from Michigan Cardiovascular Institute (MCVI). LHCA nurses, Lisa Newbold and Lisa Pedrotti were instrumental in organizing these events with MCVI. They also provided blood pressure screenings and shared information about home care with attendees. Between the two days, the event drew approximately 130 attendees.
Hospice of Hope Memorial Service Remembers Patients
On December 1, 2003, the Hospice Staff held a Memorial Service at St. Lorenz Church in Frankenmuth, to commemorate the passing of hospice patients. Over 60 family members, representing 16 families, attended the bi-annual Hospice Memorial Service. The evening of remembering was made even more special by an appearance from the St. Lorenz Liturgical Dancers. Following the service, families and hospice staff enjoyed fellowship and refreshments, while sharing precious stories of their loved ones who were comforted in their final days by Hospice of Hope.
New Skills Fair a Great Success
On October 21-22, 2003, the Lutheran Home Care & Hospice of Hope held a Competency Skills Fair, which was so successful that additional fairs are already being planned for the future. All staff rotated through stations that tested competency for various skills such as vital signs, IV care, tube feeding pumps and care, suctioning, documentation, mechanical lifts, occupied bed making and more. In addition to completing a test at the fair, staff members were required to demonstrate their ability to perform many of the skills included in the fair. A satisfaction survey was taken after the fair to measure its value with the staff. Survey results showed that the staff found the event to be informative, fun and a great way to brush up on their skills. Therefore, another Skills Fair is being planned for April 2004 - with future fairs to be held twice a year.
Celebrating Christmas
with Family and Friends
On December 6, 2003, the Lutheran Home Care Agency and Hospice of Hope celebrated the Christmas season with staff, volunteers and family members at the Bavarian Motor Lodge in Frankenmuth. Everyone enjoyed a buffet dinner, followed by games and other festivities - all topped off with a visit from Santa. Framed photographs of the children with Santa were given out along with a goody bag personally delivered by Santa himself. On behalf of the Lutheran Home Care Agency and Hospice of Hope, we wish all of our Lutheran Homes of Michigan family a blessed new year.
Celebrating the Holidays at the
Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth
Snow, cold winds and overcast skies did not dampen the holiday spirit at the Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth! Soon after the Thanksgiving holiday, employees were busy decorating the facility with a glittering array of tinsel and lights for the Christmas season. Red, pink and white Poinsettia plants were placed in the chapel to add to the festive appearance.
Residents posed for their annual holiday photographs. Many family members purchased copies for other family members and friends. Each year this tradition provides a wonderful memory to cherish for years to come.
Carolers, both old and young, made their way through the halls of the facility singing many old-time holiday favorites. Of course, the festivities included a visit from old Saint Nick himself. As usual, he brought presents for all the good girls and boys.
Residents had several opportunities to climb aboard the Lutheran Home bus for tours throughout the city of Frankenmuth and its surrounding area. They viewed a brilliant array of Christmas lights on houses and businesses alike. And residents enjoyed a trip to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland that included a sing-a-long with Wally Bronner himself.
Special services were held on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve to reflect on the real reason for the season - the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To you and yours, we at the Lutheran Home Frankenmuth wish God's goodness, hope and peace in the new year.
It's never too early to start looking forward to warm weather and enjoyable outdoor activities. As you make plans for this year, be sure to mark your calendar for the Sixth Annual Lutheran Homes of Michigan Golf Outing, which will be held on Monday, July 26th at Bay Pointe Golf Club in West Bloomfield, Michigan. If you haven't attended this event in past years, you won't want to pass up the chance to play this beautiful course or miss the excitement of a live auction featuring fantastic items.
There are several ways to support Lutheran Homes of Michigan through the Annual Golf Outing. In addition to sponsoring a foursome there are several other sponsorship opportunities to provide financial support to the event and the organization. Funds raised will be designated to the Lutheran Homes of Michigan Endowment Fund.
Register before June 1 for $160 per golfer (after June 1, $175 per golfer). For further information or to register, contact Lutheran Homes of Michigan at 989-652-3667 or visit our web site at www.LHMINC.org Get your registration in early to reserve your spot on the course.
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