APRIL 2013

We are excited that ground has broken for the construction of our Health & Wellness Campus Center. This project will bring about many new offerings for our residents, including an expanded health and wellness area, Sister Generose Auditorium, activity room, general store, Dorothy M. Gauthier Memorial Library and bistro. This building is expected to be completed in November of this year.

There is much talk around the nation regarding health care reform. Those of us in the health care business have been waiting for some important dates, at which time we will be required to comply with changes. These changes include issues dealing with employer’s provision of health insurance for employees, along with significant changes in how skilled nursing facilities will be reimbursed through the Medicare program. There is certainly some anxiety among the business sector and how we will deal with these changes and the challenges they may present.

I am excited for the future of Madonna Living Community (MLC). Due to excellent management of resources over the years, we continue to be a financially strong organization and are strategically planning to meet new challenges and successfully thrive in the future. We are an organization that locally supports approximately 330 jobs. MLC generates approximately $9 million annually in employee payroll and benefits. Last year, we served a total of 517 residents—84% of those were short-term-stay therapy residents who returned to their homes. During the same period, the benefit we provided to our local community, including charity care, was over one million dollars.

Our relationship with the Benedictine Health System (BHS) offers additional strength to MLC. BHS purchased Madonna Towers in 1995 and Madonna Meadows in 2002. We are fortunate to have the support and leadership this large organization brings to MLC. BHS currently operates forty-seven retirement communities across seven states. This dynamic organization, along with over 5,000 employees, provides approximately $25 million in quantifiable community benefits. The Benedictine Health System is one of the largest and most respected Catholic healthcare organizations in the nation.

In the future, our nation will be very challenged to find ways to provide appropriate care and services to its growing senior population. With about 10,000 baby boomers turning age 65 each day, there is definitely a concern whether Medicare and Medicaid can remain viable programs. Madonna Living Community has a distinct advantage, in that it has developed a strong operation and is supported by the resources and expertise of BHS. Our future is exciting and we look forward to developing new programs and services to meet the needs of our area seniors.

From the Administrator

Madonna Towers4001 - 19th Avenue NWRochester, MN 55901507.288.3911www.madonnatowers.org

Madonna Meadows3035 Salem Meadows Drive SWRochester, MN 55902 507.252.5400www.madonnameadows.org

Mark NobleAdministrator/CEO

Vision Creating Benedictine Living

Communities where health,

independence and choice

come to life.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDROCHESTER, MN

PERMIT NO. 118

Madonna Living Community

4001 - 19th Avenue NW

Rochester, MN 55901

Madonna Towers’ skilled nursing facility, along with fourteen other participating Benedictine Health System (BHS) organizations, is the recipient of a Department of Human Service (DHS) two-year collaborative grant. This is a $3.5 million performance-based incentive program that emphasizes “Successful Transitions” to reduce hospitalizations. The goal of the program is to reduce re-hospitalizations related to primary diagnosis of patients from skilled nursing home facilities, within thirty days of their discharge from the hospital. This project aims to improve the quality of care and quality of life of short-term rehab residents, as they transition from the nursing home to their next level of care, by improving educational services for the resident and caregiver while at the facility and upon return home. BHS corporate has researched and chosen a web-based training module that allows for customized resident/caregiver education during the rehabilitation stay, and also provides take-home training modules for residents. This is being accomplished by creating a new Registered Nurse (RN) position, called the “Nurse Transition Coordinator,” which will

coordinate the resident/caregiver training. The Nurse Transitions Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring all discharges have a completed individualized education plan based on the resident’s main diagnosis and other contributing factors. Part of the grant will enable Madonna Towers to purchase approximately fifteen iPads for the resident training modules. The program will also include three follow-up calls after discharge to assure clients are managing their medications and medical conditions appropriately. The program is being implemented in phases, with the educational modules and tools being implemented by July 1, 2013. Anne Ryan, RN, has been hired as the new Madonna Towers Nurse Transition Coordinator. This program is a valuable step toward enhancing the quality and scope of services provided at our skilled nursing facility.

Anne Ryan, RNNurse Transition CoordinatorMadonna Living Community

Seamless Transitions

Madonna Meadows is happy to welcome spring, but it is not without a very busy winter. We are pleased to report that we have finished a complete overall, update and renovation of our heating and cooling system. There has been very positive feedback from residents, as we look forward to whatever the weather will bring our way throughout the year.

It is always exciting to provide new ways to enhance our residents’ quality of life and provide choices for their independence. We have assessed the usage of some of our common areas. Over the past couple of months we have been in the process or have finished converting some of our neighborhood living rooms into exciting new opportunities for residents. The Colonial Room is now a billiards room. We purchased a new large-screen TV to transform Birchwood Room into a movie theater. Fox & Hounds Room is evolving into a wellness room, where therapy staff can work with our residents for rehabilitation. Activities will also be providing an exercise program for maintenance and strengthening. The equipment for the wellness area was made possible with a grant from the Knights of Columbus.

Along with activities and new interests to assure quality of life, we know the importance of competent care, as well. We have increased our licensed nursing staff. Licensed nurses are on site seven days a week, helping families and residents feel confident that nursing needs are met.

We are thrilled with the results of these new ventures, and look forward to a great summer.

Cheryl SaballaHousing Director Madonna Meadows

What’s happening at Madonna Meadows

Mission Madonna Living Community, a member of the Benedictine Health System, is a Catholic organization entrusted with advancing the health care ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Duluth, Minnesota. Our mission is to witness to God’s love by providing compassionate, quality care with special concern for the underserved and those in need.

I grew up in Rosemount, Minnesota, just south of St Paul. Health and wellness was a big part of my life since a very young age. I was constantly playing outside and always involved in sports and activities. Since I can remember, I have enjoyed helping people in any way I can. This love for serving others and the joy of being active led me to pursue a field in Recreation Therapy at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. After graduating with a Master’s in Recreation Therapy, my wife, Annie, began working as a nurse at Mayo Hospital, initiating our move to Rochester.

When I was offered the position at Madonna Living Community, I was excited to work for an organization that really cares about the people who work and live here. MLC is a place of great opportunity, where goals can be achieved. My goals for the activity and wellness programs are focused on serving the residents and doing them justice by offering great programs.

I would like to enhance the wellness program by offering more exercise classes and fun activities that motivate our residents to be physically active. I look forward to the addition of the Health and Wellness Campus Center that will provide our residents the opportunity to meet their goals.

At Madonna Meadows, the wellness program will be getting re-energized. We will be training additional staff to assist in the Wellness Center on that campus. This will allow us to add scheduled fitness times for residents to ride a bike or use the Nu-Step. Residents will be able to do strength training and enjoy individualized physical activities.

Trevor RedlinWellness and Activity DirectorMadonna LivingCommunity

Who’s New at Madonna Living Community

On October 17, 2012, Madonna Living Community (MLC) residents, staff and donors celebrated the upcoming Health and Wellness Campus Center building project with a “Ground Blessing” event. This project reached a milestone in the Foundation fundraising campaign over the past two years, raising over one million dollars of the $5.3 million project. This was made possible by the generous gifts of numerous donors, and culminated with the “Legacy of Honor” event honoring Sr. Generose Gervais. To honor her dedication to our residents and leadership on the MLC Board of Directors over the past twenty-four years, MLC will name the new auditorium—within the new campus center—the Sister Generose Auditorium.

Another honor was extended to the late Dorothy Gauthier, by naming the new campus center library, the Dorothy M. Gauthier Memorial Library. MLC is grateful for the T. Emil Gauthier family and Dorothy’s legacy gift that made the new library in the campus center a reality. Dorothy’s love of music, reading and painting was an inspiration to her family and friends at MLC, where she often volunteered and shared her talents. Throughout life, Dorothy served others and was a partner with

her husband, contributing immeasurably to the area community.

By the end of March, Madonna Towers will order a new wheelchair accessible bus at a cost of $65,000, replacing the current sixteen-year-old year bus (with over 130,000 miles) that has required frequent and expensive repairs. The Foundation continues to write grants to offset the cost of this much-needed purchase. This bus will provide transportation services to all our short-term rehabilitation guests, independent-living, assisted-living, long-term care and memory-care residents (a number totaling approximately 300 residents) with various needs, whom are dependent on MLC to provide transportation services for medical appointments and connection with the community.

Currently, the Foundation is also raising funds for Madonna Meadows, with a goal of $15,000 that will allow the assisted-living residents to continue living their lives to the fullest, enjoying inviting spaces complete with comfortable, easy-to-use furniture. To date, $10,675 has been raised.

With the support of grateful residents and their families, committed employees and generous supporters, Madonna Living Community is helping achieve its mission and vision of transforming senior care in our community. As friends, family and community advocates of MLC, you make an impact in your outreach to the community, advocating for Madonna’s residents in supporting their spiritual, educational, social and physical needs. Your gifts support the latest initiatives. As a non-for-profit foundation, YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE for all MLC residents and the generations to come. Thank you for your support.

Foundation Newsflash

Sandy MolendaFoundation DirectorMadonna Living Community

What’s happening at Madonna Meadows

DiAnne Zill Activity Coordinator

My husband and I first discovered Roatan, Honduras, in 2005, when we were taking a Caribbean cruise that made the rounds to several ports of call. There are no words to describe the beauty of the island: the beaches, the ocean waters, the lush rain forest, the coral reef and most of all, the diverse history of the island’s people. My husband and I are off-the-beaten-path travelers; we enjoy experiencing the local culture and foods and have mastered the art of just being in the present moment.

This past February, we made our fourth trip to Roatan and did all the usual things we normally do: rent a casita (small cottage) and car, spend our days exploring, snorkeling, resting, reading, eating and more.

The “more” made this trip very dear to me. A few years ago, I wanted to create a method to give back in some way, thus, G.O.D. (Gather, Organize, Deliver) was developed, but never really implemented. After sharing about Roatan and the G.O.D. concept with some of my co-workers who serve on the “Show I Care” Committee

at Madonna Living Community, the idea was embraced, signs were made and the word was out: “Let’s help Di with supplies for a children’s home and school in Roatan.” We delivered a suitcase full of donated clothing, medical supplies, toiletries and monetary gifts to the Greenfield Children’s home. It was a delightful morning meeting the children, learning about their school and seeing the many ways others are helping, too.

Thank you, Madonna Living Community, for your support and the opportunities to serve others and to show we care. As one of my co-workers said, “Paying it forward is what this life is all about.”

If you would like additional information about the children’s home and school, please check out the web page: www.sandybaylighthouseministries.org.

A Trip that Soothed the Soul and Delighted in the

Madonna Living Community Rehabilitation

Mandy M. Lambrecht, MPTFacility Director of Therapy, Madonna Living Community

The Madonna Living Community Therapy department offers skilled therapy services to short-term rehabilitation patients who come to Madonna Towers following a hospitalization. The therapy team works with patients, improving strength, safety and activity tolerance and achieving patient goals to return to the highest level of function possible. Depending on the patient’s individual needs, therapy is delivered up to six days a week in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Speech Therapy is delivered up to five days a week. When patients meet their short-term rehabilitation goals and are ready to discharge, the therapy team will offer home safety assessments for those living in the community of Rochester, if the patient is interested. The therapy team will provide recommendations for equipment or home modifications to assure the transition to home is safe for each patient.

Oftentimes, the therapy team may recommend outpatient or home health therapy, following a patient’s discharge from a short-term rehabilitation stay, to reach the patient’s highest potential. This continued therapy can be provided by the same staff at Madonna Living Community to provide continuity of care, which is very important for positive patient outcomes. The therapy team is committed to helping patients meet their personal rehabilitation goals in the short-term, outpatient or home-health settings.

June Vold with Jake Hoeppner, DPT in the Mobility Courtyard

Gift of Sharing